Welcome to the Late Music Festival 2008!

"...one of the most vital events in the UK's classical music calendar" (David Denton, Yorkshire Post)

The Late Music Festival presents an eclectic mix of the most up-to-date contemporary music and musicians, spanning several genres including World Music (performances by a touring theatrical Indian dance group featuring Bireshwar Gautam) and Jazz (Gilad Atzmon and band featuring Frank Harrison on piano).

This year's festival is programming 'themed' music days - Japanese, Electroacoustic, Theatre, regular artists - Fitzwilliam String Quartet and Music Theatre specialists Black hair, fresh faces - Noszferatu, Gamelan as well as our first collaboration with Opera North. There will be talks, a sound installation, lunchtime recitals and no less than fourteen World Premieres.

The festival concludes with a day celebrating the centenary of one of the most important composers of the twentieth century, Olivier Messiaen, with performances of two of his most popular and influential works – Quartet for the End of Time plus Vingt Régards sur L’enfant Jésus performed by amazing piano virtuoso and festival favourite Ian Pace.