Edinburgh Festival honours Alfred Brendel

The 2026 Edinburgh International Festival is to pay tribute to the late Alfred Brendel with a series of recitals featuring MA artists Paul Lewis and Steven Osborne. Brendel often appeared at the festival as both performer and lecturer. 

Osborne’s recital (17 August) focuses on Schubert, including the Piano Sonata in C minor and Four Impromptus D899, as well as works that Osborne has arranged: the unfinished Allegretto D346, and Am Meer and Liebesbotschaft from Schwanengesang. He also performs James MacMillan’s Lumen Christi and Judith Weir’s Chorale, for Steve.   

Paul Lewis was mentored by Brendel, and his recital (20 August) draws on Brendel’s affinity with Mozart, including two sonatas in B flat, K570 and K333, as well as Weber’s Sonata in A flat op.39 and Chopin’s Polonaise in C sharp minor op.26 no.1 and Two Nocturnes op.32.

In the third concert of the series (26 August), Pierre-Laurent Aimard performs Ligeti, Beethoven, Schubert and Kurtág. The Edinburgh Festival runs from 7 to 30 August.