A north-east festival celebrating music in all of its forms begins today.
The Sound Festival, due to current pandemic regulations, will not include a schedule of real-life live performances across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire as usual, but the show will still go on with a series of live-streamed events, including some from the Aberdeen Arts Centre, running until Sunday.
As well as music, audiences will be able to tune in over the internet for a number of streamed talks, films and question and answer sessions.
And although its organisers have acknowledged it will have a “different feel” to previous years, they have highlighted the silver lining of the performances now being able to be enjoyed on a global stage.
Among the musicians who will take to the online stage for the celebration will be headliners Ben Goldscheider, a 2016 BBC Young Musician of the Year finalist, and one of the UK’s “most respected exponents of contemporary music for the horn”, Pip Eastop.
The festival will have a major focus on horn-based musical pieces, as part of its “commitment to showcasing endangered instruments”.
Fiona Robertson, director of the Sound Festival, said: “This year’s festival will of course have a different feel to past events, but by harnessing the power of technology we will be able to reach a worldwide audience which is particularly exciting.
“Our programme will showcase work by established composers as well as giving a platform to a new generation of Scottish composing talent.”
She added: “We are delighted to be welcoming Ben Goldscheider, Pip Eastop and the Guild of Horns to this year’s festival as part of our ongoing commitment to showcasing endangered instruments.
“Pip Eastop has been championing new music for the horn for many years and Ben is a tremendous young advocate for both the instrument and new music.”
In total, 15 premieres will be given over the weekend, beginning with performances of five new works for flute and electronics developed by Scottish-based composers and performed by the Red Note Ensemble.
Elsewhere on the schedule, Judith Weir, the Master of the Queen’s Music, will give a talk.
Ms Robertson added: “At the heart of Sound is providing the opportunity for both young and established composers to have new works commissioned and performed.”
For more information and the full schedule, visit www.sound-scotland.co.uk.
