A FESTIVAL bringing some of the world’s finest musicians to perform in stunning East Lothian settings is celebrating a milestone anniversary.

The Lammermuir Festival, which gets under way on Thursday, features more than 35 concerts taking place from Haddington to Dunbar and from Dirleton to the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune.

Hugh Macdonald, festival director, was delighted to see the festival return once again.

He said: “It's hard to believe this is our 15th festival!

“You'd think it would be hard to keep it fresh but, for me, there are so many unmissable events: the wonderful Danish baroque orchestra Concerto Copenhagen; the extraordinary American pianist Jeremy Denk; Tenebrae, one of Europe's finest professional choruses, in the Museum of Flight's Concorde Hangar.

“There are too many more to mention - and you can't beat that annual tingle of anticipation just before the festival starts!”

The curtain goes up on the festival at Haddington’s Holy Trinity Church, which is hosting seven coffee concerts.

Coffee lovers can delight in The Loft’s coffee and those with a sweet tooth can tuck into Falko Bakery’s baked goods - all while enjoying an expansive range of classical music.

Pianist and broadcaster Kenneth Hamilton follows Liszt’s 1841 tour of Scotland at the festival’s first concert of 2024.

On day two, distinguished Scottish pianist Susan Tomes celebrates nine remarkable female pianist composers from the 18th century to the early 20th centuries.

Having emerged in recent years as one of the world’s finest, Van Baerle Trio join for the following five coffee concerts to explore Beethoven Piano Trios.

Also in Haddington, the first Corn Exchange concert this year is Scottish Opera’s Albert Herring.

Director Daisy Evans noted that the venue played in their favour as the audience could pick up on the intricacies of each character.

The intimate venue is the perfect location for the next production - London Voices: Stimmung, which takes place from 10.15pm on Wednesday.

Other notable locations include the Concorde Hangar at the National Museum of Flight, where there will be two performances by Tenebrae – Path of Miracles on Sunday, at 8pm and 10pm.

ZRI take people on a musical journey on the final weekend, with three locations and three concerts in one day.

Audiences can choose to attend one, two or even all of the concerts, which take place in Humbie, Stenton and East Linton next Saturday (September 14). 

Jeremy Denk and Maria Włoszczowska first play all four sonatas by America composer Charles Ives for a huge 150th birthday celebration at Dunbar Parish Church on Friday from 3pm.

This is before they come together with brand new Valo String Quartet in two concerts at Prestonkirk Parish Church on Monday (3pm) and at the same time on Wednesday.

Finally, Concerto Copenhagen’s four 7.30pm concerts should prove a real highlight.

Their programmes cover range and depth, and they will play familiar Buxtehude, Biber and Schmelzer to unfamiliar George Muffat and Johan Helmich Roman.

Concerts take place at Haddington’s St Mary’s Parish Church on Monday, Wednesday, next Friday and next Sunday (7.30pm).

For a full programme and timings, go to www.lammermuirfestival.co.uk