Festival Archive: 2023 Festival

Fresh from his starring role in the Coronation, celebrated baritone Roderick Williams OBE joins acclaimed pianist and broadcaster Iain Burnside to open our 2023 festival. Together, they will tell us the truth about love, with songs by composers including Purcell, Rachmaninov, Debussy, Quilter, Shaw, Beamish and many others. Roderick Williams – baritone Iain Burnside – piano Programme / Rhaglen Henry Purcell (1659-95) If Music be the food of love – Henry Heveningham Ah, how sweet it is to love – John Dryden Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) From Cinq Mélodies de Venise – Paul Verlaine Mandoline  En sourdine  Green  Purcell Let the Dreadful engines of eternal will – Thomas d’Urfey Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943) Ona, kak polden khorosha (Op.14 No.9) – Nikolai Minsky Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Colloque sentimental – Paul Verlaine Rachmaninov Fchera mi fstr’etilis (Op 26. No. 13) – Yakov Polonsky O, net, molyu, ne uxodi! ( Op. 4 No.1) – Dmitri Mereschkovsky Debussy Green – Paul Verlaine Beau Soir – Paul Bourget Rachmaninov Zd’es kharasho (Op.21 No.7) – Glafira Galina Ya bil u n’ej (Op.14 No. 4) – Aleksey Koltsov Interval Roger Quilter (1877-1953)  7 Elizabethan Lyrics ii. My Life’s Delight – Thomas Campion iii. Damask Rose – anon iv. The Faithless Shepherdess – anon v. Brown is my Love –  anon i. Weep you no more – anon vi. By a Fountainside – Ben Jonson vii. Fair House of Joy – anon Clara Schumann (1819-96) Liebst du um Schönheit – Friedrich Rückert Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-47) Nähe des Geliebten – J W von Goethe Josephine Lang (1815-80) Abschied – Ernst Schulze Robert Schumann (1810-56) Er, der Herrlichste von allen – Adelbert von Chamiss Caroline Shaw (1982-) How do I find you – Caroline Shaw Sally Beamish (1956-) Nightingale (from 4 Hafez Songs) – tr. Jila Peacock Cheryl Frances Hoad (1980-) The Pros and Cons – Sophie Hannah Gerald Finzi (1901-56) I said to Love – Thomas Hardy Benjamin Britten (1913-76) Tell me the truth about Love – W H Auden

Trio Gaspard is one of the leading piano trios of their generation, and we are extremely fortunate to have them joining us on their UK tour. In ‘Czech Stories’, they perform two beautiful works by Smetena and Suk, before closing with Dvořák’s famous ‘Dumky’ Trio.   Jonian Ilias Kadesha – Violin Vashti Hunter – Cello Nicholas Rimmer – Piano Programme / Rhaglen Bedřich Smetana (1824-84) Piano Trio in g minor, Op.15  Josef Suk (1874-1935) Elegy in Db Major for Piano Trio, Op.23  Interval Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) Piano Trio no.4 in e minor, Op.90 ‘Dumky’ 

Originally from Lviv in Ukraine, Julia Kogut-Kalynyuk and Kateryna Trachuk came to the UK in May 2022, fleeing the war in their country. Playing the bandura (a plucked string instrument) and singing, they will perform traditional Ukrainian folk music, which they have been steeped in since early childhood. Julia Kogut-Kalynyuk – Bandura and Vocals Kateryna Trachuk – Bandura and Vocals

Artistic Director Rosalind Ventris and Associate Artist Llŷr Williams join forces to play two of Brahms’s most revered works–the last sonatas he composed. They combine these sonatas with wonderful, lesser known works by Kodaly, Weiner and Clara Schumann, to make for an eclectic and passionate programme. Rosalind Ventris – Viola Llŷr Williams – Piano Programme / Rhaglen Johannes Brahms (1833-97) Sonata Op.120 No.1 in f minor  László Weiner (1916-44) Sonata  Interval Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967) Adagio Clara Schumann (1819-96) Three Romances, Op.22 Brahms Sonata Op.120 No.2 in Eb major

Experience vibrant and authentic flamenco music and dance from the spectacular Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company. This unique musical production by the Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company will present a rich variety of flamenco styles, from the intense emotion of a Seguiriya to the joyful sounds of an Alegria. Singers, guitarists, cajon player, violinist and dancer all come together in a joyful combination of music and dance.

Comprising three musicians from Wales and three from India, Khamira perform an utterly unique fusion of Hindustani classical music, jazz, Welsh folk, rock and deep grooves. Since their inception in 2015, the group has performed across the world, and we are thrilled to welcome them for their Cowbridge debut.

Acclaimed flute, viola and harp ensemble Trio Anima returns to Cowbridge for the second time, following their debut here in 2016. Their performance will feature works from their debut album, ‘Between Earth and Sea’, alongside Debussy’s timeless and evocative Sonate. Flute – Matthew Featherstone Viola – Rosalind Ventris Harp – Anneke Hodnett Programme / Rhaglen Arnold Bax  (1883-1953) Elegiac Trio Sally Beamish (1956-) Between Earth and Sea  John Dowland (1563-1626) Flow, my tears Nathan James Dearden (1992-) Ayre  Hilary Tann (1947-2023) From the Song of Amergin Interval / Cyfwng Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Syrinx William Alwyn (1905-85) Naiades Debussy Sonate 

This year’s Young Artist’s Recital features the highly talented Welsh pianist Tomos Boyles. He will perform a rich programme of Romantic repertoire, featuring beautiful works by Chopin, Ravel, Clara Schumann and Scriabin. Programme / Rhaglen Clara Schumann (1819-96) Three Romances Op. 21 (10’) Frédéric Chopin (1810-49) Nocturne Op. 48 No. 1 in C minor (6’) Nocturne Op. 55 No. 2 in Eb (4’30’) Sonata No. 3 in B minor Op. 58 (25’) Interval / Cyfwng Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) Miroirs 28’ Alexander Scriabin (1871-1915) Etude Op. 42 No. 4 in F# (3’) Etude Op. 42 No. 5 in C# minor (3’) Sonata No. 4 Op 30 (7’30’)

The six motets by Johann Sebastian Bach are among the greatest choral works of the eighteenth century. Tonight, the distinguished Choir of St Paul’s Knightsbridge, conducted by Artistic Director Joseph Fort, unite these works all together in a single programme of glorious music. Programme to include: Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (BWV 225) Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf (BWV 226) Jesu, meine Freude (BWV 227) Fürchte dich nicht, ich bin bei dir (BWV 228) Komm, Jesu komm (BWV 229) Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (BWV 230)  

Dionne Bennett and her Cardiff-based band The Pepper Seeds have honed their unique, soulful sound over the past decade. Tonight’s performance will have something for everyone, ranging from Nina Simone to funk and soul, with some Latin jazz along the way!

Once again, Cowbridge Music Festival teams up with Children’s Musical Adventures to present an action packed, fun and educational experience for all the family. Be prepared for some audience participation as we join Patrick, Hannah and the Team on their next musical adventure.

2023 promises to go out with a bang, as for the first time we welcome a full big band to the festival! Formed by Dave Cottle in 2011, The Power of Gower unites some of Wales’s most prodigious and exciting jazz musicians, and will present a thrilling programme for this year’s festival finale.