Everyone at the Edinburgh International Festival was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Composer and conductor Oliver Knussen.

Knussen appeared at the International Festival three times, most recently conducting the Royal Scottish National for The Opening Concert in 2014 which featured music by Schoenberg, Scriabin and Debussy. In 2008 he notably gave the world premiere of David Matthews’ orchestration of Janacek’s On an Overgrown Path, with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

His connection with the festival began as a child, attending many performances, including the legendary 1961 Gurrelieder, conducted by Leopold Stokowski, and the world premiere of Tippett’s Concerto for Orchestra, of which he was a leading advocate.

We had been looking forward to welcoming him back in the future and extend our sympathies to his friends and family at this sad time.