Sonica: Scottish Ensemble with Ava Rasti and Alex Smoke

A double bill of modern classical works performed by Scottish Ensemble, playing as a string quartet, alongside their composers contributing electronic elements. The leaping-off point for Ava Rasti’s sublime The River was the discovery that the picturesque river Piave in Italy, where she had been bathing, had been the site of two historic and bloody battles: a reminder that no matter the beauty of a situation, there are always unsettling undercurrents. Alex Smoke’s Bright Flows the River continues the riverine theme, finding beauty amid the turbulence of tides.

Part of Sonica festival 2026, presented by Cryptic.

Sonica Glasgow is Scotland’s leading 11-day biennial festival of music, audiovisual and immersive art, produced by Cryptic. For over a decade, Sonica has presented pioneering work at the intersection of sound and, transforming venues across Glasgow into immersive environments that challenge and inspire audiences.

Scottish Ensemble is a pioneering group of outstanding string players, described by The Herald as “always challenging the norms of classical music performance.” Founded in 1969, they have built a reputation for imaginative, cross-artform collaborations that reimagine how classical music can connect with contemporary life.  

Tickets £20 general/ £10 concession or book a free ticket with a Sonica Pass.