Ryedale Festival: Pre-concert conversation with Edward Dusinberre

6.45–7.15pm | Pickering Book Tree

Edward Dusinberre, first violinist of the Takács Quartet, joins us to discuss his writing as well as his music-making. Warm, insightful and often very funny, his two acclaimed books — Beethoven for a Later Age and Distant Melodies — offer a rare glimpse into the pressures, friendships and musical adventures of one of the world’s great ensembles. A fascinating introduction before hearing the Quartet perform.
 

Tickets: £5
Book online at ryedalefestival.com
(direct link to the pre-event conversation here)

Doors will be open from 6.30pm for a prompt start at 6.45pm. The event will be held in our atmospheric upstairs event space.

The bookshop will remain open for browsing following the event, and there will pre-signed copies of both of Edward’s books available to purchase while stocks last.

Ryedale Festival 2026 Season Launch Concert: Takács Quartet

8pm | Church of St Peter and St Paul, Pickering

Haydn – Quartet in G minor op.74 No.3 The Rider
Beethoven – Quartet in E-flat major op.74 The Harp
Debussy – Quartet in G minor

Join us as we open the 2026 season with the Takács Quartet, whose five-decade journey from Budapest to the major stages of the world has made them one of the most revered ensembles of the past century. As BBC Music Magazine recently put it, ‘you will not hear better string quartet playing anywhere in the world today’.

Their programme moves from the galloping energy of Haydn’s Rider Quartet to the glowing serenity of Beethoven’s Harp Quartet, before closing with an impressionist masterpiece by Debussy. An unmissable night for music-lovers across Yorkshire and a memorable way to launch the Festival’s 2026 season.

Classical music doesn’t get more life-enhancing than this — The Guardian

The undisputed greatest string quartet in the world — The Daily Telegraph
 

Tickets: £38 · £32 · £22 · £5 (Under 25s)
Book online at ryedalefestival.com
(direct link to the launch concert here)

The full programme for the 2026 Ryedale Festival will be announced after the concert. Festival dates Friday 10th July – Sunday 26th July 2026