Edinburgh Festival 2014: best classical music picks

1. Shostakovich - Leningrad Symphony

Under the watchful baton of young conducting upstart Kirill Karabits, the strangely-named I, CULTURE Orchestra will bring to life one of the Russian master's most charged symphonies, pitting it against an equally interesting symphonic offering from Andrzej Panufnik. Usher Hall August 17th Photo: Sasha Gusov

2. Francoise Green piano duo - Bach and Zappa

Two quite disparate composers are pitted against one another for this late-night special - moustaches not essential. Royal Over-Seas League, Princes Street August 19th, 22:30

3. Fauré's Requiem by candlelight

This is certain to be absolutely magical. The National Youth Choir of Scotland will take over St Giles Cathedral and turn it into an ethereal, dark setting for the choral mastery of Fauré's Requiem. St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile

4. Britten's War Requiem

This is an epic work at the best of times, but with the added context of a wartime theme to much of this year's Edinburgh Festival, this is sure to be a hugely charged performance. So let Sir Andrew Davis, tenor Toby Spence and the Philharmonia walk you through one of Britten's best-loved and most poignant works. Usher Hall August 14th

5. Jazz Rite of Spring

Expect the crunchiest harmonies known to man, as The David Patrick International Quintet give a jazz-inflected rendition of Stravinsky's barrier-breaking classic. The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street August 20th-24th, 13:00

London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

6. Les Troyens

Right, who's ready for 5 and a half hours of Berlioz? Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra are your guides for this supremely epic version of Berlioz's classic opera, and all in the superb surroundings of the Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Festival Theatre August 28th - 30th

7. Harry Christophers and The Sixteen

Join Harry Christophers at Usher Hall for a programme that takes in a huge range of repertoire, all brought together by the theme of war and conflict. So alongside the modern choral works of Tavener and Poulenc you'll also hear the medieval delights of Josquin Desprez's Missa L'homme armé - not your usual choral programme, to say the least. Usher Hall August 11th

8. Bernstein - Kaddish Symphony

A rare chance to see the Royal Scottish National Orchestra play one of Leonard Bernstein's lesser-known works, a stunning interpretation of the Jewish Prayer for the Dead, dedicated to the memory of John F. Kennedy. It's sure to be an emotional evening and as much a celebration of life as a commemoration of death - one not to be missed. Oh, and as a bonus, you get Samuel Barber's violin concerto as well. Win! Usher Hall August 24th

Edinburgh Festival 2014: best classical music pick

9. The Opening Concert

Oliver Knussen conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in a challenging opening programme of 20th century classics, taking in Debussy's Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien and Schoenberg's Five Orchestral Pieces. Usher Hall August 8th

10. Classical Accordion at the Fringe

Up-and-coming accordion virtuoso Paul Chamberlain will take audiences on a tour of the classical canon, proving that there's room for a classical accordionist at the festival. Just don't tell Martynas. Royal Over-Seas League, Princes Street August 5th & 9th, 15:00

11. The Cabinet of Dr Caligari with live score

The horror classic has been given a gorgeous, jazzy new score by Graeme Stephen, and you can see it played along to a live screening! The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street From August 13th, 13:00

12. The Addams Family

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland take on the well-loved stars of cartoon and film with this inspired musical version. A left-field choice, but this is the Fringe after all… (Assembly Hall, Mound Place)

13. Dido and Aeneas

The About Turn Theatre company have lined up an innovative re-telling of the Purcell vocal classic, taking the original score and transporting it to a war-time setting. theSpace @ Venue 43, Jeffrey Street From August 11th, 15:10