Coming across as an edgy music teacher who just wants his class to appreciate that classical music is accessible to everyone, Aidan Jones alternates between dick jokes and sincere explanations of Chopin’s musicality in a show which, he admits, the composer wouldn’t like. Achieving a warm rapport with the audience, Jones reflects on his career as a relatively unsuccessful stand-up, offering his passion for one of the Nocturnes in an hour that matches broad humour with aesthetic sensitivity. 

By the time he completes the musical performance, Jones has wandered through his failures and ambitions, finding a subtext to the music via a drunk on a train and a passionate belief in following dreams. Despite becoming distracted by an interlude on Goya towards the finale, Chopin’s Nocturne manages to educate and place the work both in its social, political context and the modern moment in a smart and genial hour. 

Chopin’s Nocturne, Summerhall, until 24 August, 10.20am.