Beethoven Sonatas by Candlelight at St Giles' Cathedral

Beethoven Piano Sonatas By Candlelight at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh

This early evening piano recital at St Giles Cathedral suits classical music lovers and those interested in Beethoven's piano sonatas performed by renowned concert pianists.

Experience a selection of Beethoven's piano sonatas alongside works by Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Gershwin, Grieg, Schubert, and others, all performed in the candlelit historic venue of St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile.

Event Details

• Dates: Selected Mondays in 2026-27. Choose your preferred date from the ticket selector.
• Time: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Location: St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh
• Age Requirement: Not suitable for children under 5 years. Babies will not be admitted.
• Ticket Policies: All sales are final. Tickets cannot be refunded, changed, or modified. Please check the terms and conditions before purchase.

Description

St Giles Cathedral hosts the Edinburgh Royal Mile International Piano Series, featuring all 32 of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas during the 2025-26 season. The concert series showcases exceptional performances from leading UK and international pianists, presenting some of the most significant piano repertoire.

Set in the candlelit cathedral with a newly installed Steinway Grand Piano, the series offers a focused musical experience. Nearby bars and restaurants along the Royal Mile provide options to complete your evening.

Upcoming Pianists and Programmes (2026 Dates)

• 06 July 2026: Warren Mailley-Smith – Beethoven: Sonata in C major, Op. 2 No. 3; Schubert: Wanderer Fantasy in C major, D. 760; Ravel: Jeux d’eau, M. 30
• 13 July 2026: Renata Konyicska – Beethoven: Sonata in E flat major, Op. 27 No. 1; Schubert: Sonata in B flat major, D. 960
• 21 August 2026 (Friday): Ugnius Pauliukonis – Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique”; Chopin: 2 Nocturnes, Op. 62; Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109
• 07 September 2026: Viv Mclean – Scarlatti Sonata in F Minor K. 466; Beethoven Sonata in E Flat Op. 81a 'Les Adieux'; Chopin Polonaises Op. 40 No. 1 & 2; Waltzes Op. 34 No. 1 & 2
• 14 September 2026: Christina Lawrie – Beethoven: Appassionata Sonata, Op. 57; Mel Bonis: Selections from Pièces de concert; Schubert: Wanderer Fantasy, D. 760
• 28 September 2026: Maiko Mori – Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17 'The Tempest'; Chopin: Etude Op. 10 No. 3, Impromptu No. 1 Op. 29; Hamish MacCunn: Six Scottish Dances (Dirk & Plaid Dance); Amy Beach, Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann works
• 05 October 2026: Matthew McLachlan – Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 5 & 24; Chopin: Fantaisie Op. 49, Scherzo No. 2 Op. 31, Ballade No. 1 Op. 23
• 12 October 2026: Misha Kaploukhii – Beethoven: Piano Sonata Op. 27 No. 1; Albeniz: Iberia Book I 'Evocation' & 'Corpus Christi en Sevilla'; Liszt: Sonata in B minor S.178
• 26 October 2026: Ariel Lanyi – Beethoven: 33 Variations on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op. 120
• 02 November 2026: Ashley Fripp – Liszt: Tre Sonetti del Petrarca; Debussy: Images, Book 1; Beethoven: Sonata No. 6 in F major, Op. 10 No. 2
• 09 November 2026: Madalina Rusu – Beethoven: Sonata Op. 90; Liszt: Petrarca Sonet 104; Schumann: 2 Fantasy pieces Op. 12; Brahms: Intermezzo Op. 118 No. 2; Rachmaninoff: Preludes Op. 23 & Musical moments Op. 16
• 30 November 2026: Olga Stezhko – Rameau: L'enharmonique; Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 20; Couperin: Concert Royal no. 2; Debussy: Preludes Book 1 & 2; Scriabin: Five Preludes Op. 74, Vers la flamme

Booking and Visit Tips

Book tickets early to secure front section seats. Arrive in good time for the 6:30 p.m. start. Consider visiting nearby restaurants after the recital to extend your evening on the Royal Mile.