Concerts 2022

The Castalian Quartet—one of the UK’s most exciting and in-demand string quartets—open the festival with a gripping selection of works ranging from Beethoven’s moving ‘Serioso’ Quartet to Coleridge-Taylor’s evocative Fantasiestücke, before violist Rosalind Ventris joins them to perform Dvořák’s life-affirming Quintet in Eb major. Franz Schubert – Quartettsatz in C minor, D703         Samuel Coleridge-Taylor – 5 Fantasiestücke, Op. 5 Ludwig van Beethoven – Quartet in F minor, Op. 95 Antonín Dvořák – Quintet in Eb major, Op. 97

Violinist and composer Simmy Singh is a genre-defying musician, whose eclectic work combines the traditions of classical music with the experimentalism of electronic music. In this must-see concert she presents her own compositions, together with this year’s festival commission for violin and viola.

Inspired by the mountains and valleys surrounding her home in Merthyr Tydfil, Eädyth Crawford’s unique brand of electronic soul pop is sure to enthral. A Welsh speaker with Bajan heritage, Eädyth will sing in both Welsh and English, performing a captivating set of some of her most popular works.

We are thrilled to welcome back our Associate Artist and beloved Welsh pianist Llŷr Williams to the festival in 2024. His programme sets side by side two of the great piano sonatas by Beethoven and Brahms, as well as a lesser known set of variations Brahms composed on a theme by his dear friend Robert Schumann. Ludwig van Beethoven – Sonata in E major, Op. 109  Johannes Brahms – Variations on a Theme of Robert Schumann Johannes Brahms – Sonata in F minor, Op. 5

Acclaimed soprano Mary Bevan makes her Cowbridge debut, leading a special programme that celebrates the legacy of French song. A stellar line-up comprising pianist Christopher Glynn and BBC National Orchestra of Wales principals Alice Neary (cello) and Matthew Featherstone (flute) join forces to present beautiful music by an array of composers. André Caplet – Viens! Une flûte invisible soupire Maurice Ravel – Chansons Madécasses Nadia Boulanger – Trois pièces Camille Saint-Saëns – Une flûte invisible Frank Martin – Ballade Judith Weir – Nuits d’Afrique Hector Berlioz – La captive Gabriel Fauré – Cinq mélodies ‘de Venise’ Philippe Gaubert – Soir Païen  

Following last year’s launch of the Young Ensembles’ Programme, we continue our work with exceptional young chamber musicians in 2024, and look forward to presenting the fruits of their intensive work with festival artists in this concert. An eclectic mix of works will be introduced live by these young Welsh performers. FREE ADMISSION

Two outstanding young Welsh rising stars—violist Edgar Francis and pianist Jâms Coleman—present this year’s Young Artists’ Recital. Their programme of soul-searching, deeply moving works for viola and piano will include Schubert’s exquisite ‘Arpeggione’ Sonata. Franz Schubert – Arpeggione Sonata, D. 821 Florence Price – Adoration; Night Rebecca Clarke – I’ll bid my heart be still Benjamin Britten – Lachrymae Frank Bridge – Cello Sonata, H125 (arr. Francis)

Bringing their fresh, unique interpretation of the Welsh folk tradition, Pedair make their hotly anticipated debut at the festival. Over recent years their recordings have gained widespread popularity; this concert brings an opportunity to hear the group live, in the beautiful setting of Holy Cross Church.

One of the most dynamic young brass groups in the UK, Connaught Brass are known for both their astonishing musicality and their friendly and warm presence on stage. Ranging from Gershwin to Vivaldi, their programme brings an extraordinary variety of works for this virtuosic ensemble. Robin Haigh – Get Good (Commission, 2023)Antonio Vivaldi arr. Stone – Concerto in F major Anton Bruckner arr. Akugbo – Christus Factus Est Florence Price – Night Victor Ewald – Quintet No. 1 Elliott Carter – A Fantasy About Purcell’s ‘Fantasia Upon One Note’ Lili Boulanger – Clairières George Gershwin arr. Schutza – No. 2 from Three Preludes Kurt Weill arr. Foster – Suite from The Threepenny Opera

Bach’s 48 Preludes and Fugues from his ‘Well-Tempered Clavier’ are widely thought to be among the gems of his compositional output. International concert pianist Libby Burgess has toured the UK performing Bach’s ‘48’, and tonight she performs a selection of these beautiful works for us, by candlelight.

Esteemed Cardiff-based chamber choir Cantemus celebrate the treasured tradition of the folk song in this programme. At the heart of their concert are Holst’s Twelve Welsh Folksongs, sung in Welsh, which mark the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birthday on this very date! Charles Villiers Stanford – Songs of the Fleet; The Blue Bird;  Three Motets William Mathias – Four Welsh Folk Songs Gustav Holst – Twelve Welsh Folk Songs Robert Pearsall – Lay a Garland Arr. Robert Rice – The Bare Necessities Arr. Andrew Carter – Teddy Bears’ Picnic Arr. Grayston Ives – Name that Tune

We are thrilled to welcome Toscana Strings to Cowbridge, for this year’s Family Concert. With both live dancing and music, they will present an adaptation of  Prokofiev’s ‘Peter and the Wolf’ for all the family, followed by a short bonus performance of the fable ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’.

The 2024 festival is brought to a stirring close by Acoustic Triangle. ‘A trio of world-class virtuosi…exquisitely passionate and inspired’ (BBC Music Magazine), their music blurs the boundaries between classical music and jazz, and will no doubt prove a rousing finale for the festival.