Music at Paxton 2026: Launch
Paxton House 12/4/26
Music at Paxton celebrates its 20th Birthday this year from Friday 17th to Sunday 26th July. Musical Director, Angus Smith says this year’s programme is a chance to invite some of the musicians from past festivals back to Paxton and also to introduce audiences to some musicains near the start of their careers.
A page in the printed programme lists five “returnees”. Steven Osborne opens the Festival with Schubert, and Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations on 17th July. His fellow pianist, Angela Hewitt features dance by J S Bach, , Schumann, Couperin and Ravel. The Gould Piano Trio play a wide-ranging programme from Haydn to James MacMilllan on 19th July while the Chiaroscuro Quartet play Beethoven in their first concert, and Haydn and Mendelssohn in their morning concert at Duns Parish Church (21st and 22nd July). Roderick Williams and Ian Burnside in their third Paxton appearance expand their English song repertoire to include songs from both sides of the Atlantic in the early 20th century. They also host a morning singing masterclass on 25th July.
Among newcomers is another distinguished keyboard player, John Butt, who gives a harpsichord recital on 19th July after playing a selection of trios and sonatas with members of the Dunedin Consort on the evening of 18th July. Two younger Scots make their solo debut. Scottish-Indian guitarist, Samrat Majumber plays an eclectic programme on 22 July, while Scottish Borderer Hugh Mackay plays Bach’s Cello Suites in a morning concert on 26th July, the day after he and the rest of the Ensemble Jackalope play Frank Bridge, Schumann and Fauré. The wind ensemble, Lumas Winds play mainly mid-20th century music on 23rd July.
Angus Smith has again extended Music at Paxton’s collaborations with nearby churches, with Norham’s lovely St Cuthbert’s Church hosting two concerts this year. At a free event on Saturday 18th July, the Hadley Court Singers from Haddington sing works by Palestrina and Gesualdo, while on Thursday 23rd the two person Amyas Ensemble who play an exciting mix of wind and percussive instruments and members of St Cuthbert’s Choir present an evocative programme inspired by the Saint’s life.
Live Music Now Scotland present two concerts, Eleanor Dunsdon on harp and Gregor Black on percussion and bodhrán on 16th July and Rachel Groves playing lever harp on 25th July. Both concerts take place in the marquee.
Prices for the main evening performances have gone up in price very slightly this year, although tickets for the shorter morning and early evening concerts are still priced at £10 or £12. Also – spread the word – all tickets for under 26s will be free. Angus Smith encourages us to bring along a young friend!
Music at Paxton 2026 is open for bookings to Friends from 20th April and to the general public from 27th April.
Whats On - Music at Paxton - Summer Festival of Chamber Music
