Festival Archive: 2024 Festival

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 sponsored by

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. Supported by

Regrettably, EADYTH have had to withdraw from the festival, because of a bereavement. We are very fortunate to have secured the services of Skunkadelic and the Digital Kid, to replace them. Skunkadelic is an trailblazing emcee, artist and educator making giant strides in the UK hip hop scene today. His erudite lyrics and signature rich baritone can be heard across his solo work ‘Musically Drifting’, ‘No Time’ and as a collaborator with the likes of The Allergies, Ty, Stagga, Magugu, Mazbou Q, Mr Woodnote and Band Pres Llareggub. He also fronts the nine-piece Welsh afro-funk collective Afro Cluster. We are enormously fortunate that he is able to step in and replace EADYTH at such short notice. 

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 Supported by

Enjoy a Sunday morning brunch in the beautiful surroundings of The Bear, while enjoying the sounds of jazz classics from Sarah Meek and Dave Cottle. Tickets for this event are available direct from The Bear Hotel by emailing events@bearhotel.com or calling 01446 774 814. Tickets are £20.95  

Regrettably, Mary Bevan is unwell and will therefore be unable to sing in Sunday’s concert. We are enormously fortunate, however, to have secured the services of soprano Harriet Burns, to replace her. A stellar line-up of musicians comprising pianist Christopher Glynn and BBC National Orchestra of Wales principals Alice Neary (cello) and Matthew Featherstone (flute) join forces with Harriet to present beautiful music by an array of composers. André Caplet – Viens! Une flûte invisible soupire Maurice Ravel – Chansons Madécasses Nadia Boulanger – Trois pièces Frank Martin – Ballade Judith Weir – Nuits d’Afrique Hector Berlioz – La captive Gabriel Fauré – ‘Mandoline’ and ‘En Sourdine’ from ‘Cinq mélodies ‘de Venise’ Philippe Gaubert – Soir Païen Reynaldo Hahn – À Chloris Camille Saint-Saëns – Une flûte invisible    

Bute Wind Quintet Quartet Draig Ross Edwards – Incantations Mervyn Burtch – Wind Quintet Valerie Coleman – Tzigane Imogen Holst – Phantasy Quartet Dilys Elwyn-Edwards – Mae Hiraeth yn y Môr Edward Kempton – Four Haiku Ernest Bloch – In the Mountains Percy Grainger – Molly on the Shore and Country Gardens 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 Supported by

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) Sponsored by

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. Supported by