Music at Paxton

Music at Paxton celebrates its 20th anniversary with a series of concerts by world-class musicians renowned for the deep passion and insight they bring to their performances.

2026 highlights include a festival debut from the Dunedin Consort, one of the world's most exciting Baroque ensembles, with a programme exploring outstanding works featured in the sale catalogues of family duo Estienne Roger and Michel-Charles Le Cène. The Consort's Director, John Butt, also presents a solo harpsichord recital of Couperin, Frescobaldi, Purcell and JS Bach.

The festival is delighted to welcome period instrument specialists Amyas, with a meditative programme set in nearby St Cuthbert's Church, Norham, inspired by the life of St Cuthbert and featuring members of St Cuthbert's Church Choir performing chants not heard for 1,000 years.

Additionally, there are two concerts from the Chiaroscuro Quartet as part of our 20th anniversary 'returning artists' strand; the quartet first appeared in a Music at Paxton programme back in 2011, and this will be their fourth visit. Our 2026 festival also celebrates the positive future of classical music with a series of concerts from extraordinary emerging artists, including young cellist Hugh Mackay, who helps to round off our final festival weekend with a programme of JS Bach cello suites.

'Quietly pioneering and really quite exciting.' - The Scotsman