Hear about the logistical difficulties performing Berlioz's majestic 'Grande Messe des Morts', which will be performed by the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Chorus at the Usher Hall on Saturday 22 August.

Festival SoundBites

Berlioz's Grande Messe Des Morts

Discover the fascinating history behind Stravinsky's scandalous 'The Rite of Spring', which will be conducted by Valery Gergiev and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra at the Usher Hall on Sunday 30 August.

Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring

Listen to the patriotic history of Sibelius's expansive and powerful 'Symphony No 1', which will be performed by the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra at the Usher Hall on Sunday 16 August.

Sibelius's Symphony No 1

Explore the pulsating harmonies of John Adams's breath-taking Harmonium, which will be performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus as part of The Harmonium Project - a free outdoor event marking the opening of the 2015 Festival and the 50th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus - at the Usher Hall on Friday 7 August.

John Adams's Harmonium

Learn the daring and defiant history of Tchaikovsky's 'Symphony No 5', which will be performed by piano sensation Yuja Wang with the San Francisco Symphony at the Usher Hall on Friday 28 August.

Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5

Discover the illuminating story behind one of Baroque's best loved works, Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons', which will be performed by pre-eminent violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter at the Usher Hall on Wednesday 26 August.

Vivaldi's The Four Seasons

Unearth the suspicious tale behind one of Mozart's great masterpieces, the visionary 'Requiem', which will be performed by the Budapest Festival Orchestra conducted by Ivan Fischer at the Usher Hall on Tuesday 18 August.

Mozart's Requiem

Explore the power of Rachmaninov's soaring 'Symphony No 2', which will be performed by the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vasily Petrenko at the Usher Hall on Saturday 15 August.

Rachmaninov's Symphony No 2

Listen to the story behind Stravinsky and W.H. Auden's darkly sparkling operatic morality tale 'The Rake's Progress', which will be performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Royal Conservatoire Voices conducted by Sir Andrew Davis at the Usher Hall on Wednesday 12 August.

Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress

The story behind Beethoven's masterful 'Hammerklavier' sonata, which will be performed by Rudolf Buchbinder at the Playfair Library Hall on Tuesday 10 August.

Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata

Listen to darkly complex story behind Beethoven's iconic 'Moonlight' sonata, which will be performed by Rudolf Buchbinder at the Playfair Library Hall on Sunday 9 August.

Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata

Listen to the history behind Beethoven's powerful 'Waldstein' sonata, which will be performed by Rudolf Buchbinder at the Playfair Library Hall on Tuesday 18 August.

Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata

Uncover the stifled history behind Bartok's youthful, Brahms-inspired Piano Quintet, which will be performed by the Budapest Festival Orchestra Soloists at the Queen's Hall on Friday 14 August.

Bartok's Piano Quintet

Discover the under-appreciated genius of Hindemith's bracing 'String Trio No 2', which will be performed by the all-star Zimmermann Trio at the Queen's Hall on Saturday 15 August.

Hindemith's String Trio No 2

Learn about the emotional inspiration of Schoenberg's lush 'Op. 2 Lieder', which will be performed by Sarah Connolly and Malcolm Martineau at the Queen's Hall on Monday 17 August.

Schoenberg's Op. 2 Lieder

Get closer to the Edinburgh International Festival with FestivalSoundBites from sinfinimusic.com. Explore the music with introductions, interviews and clips from the artists involved.