Now in its fourteenth year, Cowbridge Music Festival has established itself as one of the most exciting music festivals in Wales, bringing world-class musicians to the community. With a mission to make classical music approachable and enjoyable, the festival also boasts an extensive community programme, which over the years has engaged over 11,000 local pupils and care homes.
The festival is proud to celebrate and preserve Welsh cultural heritage through performances in both Welsh and English, and featuring numerous artists with Welsh roots.
“From world-class artists and rising stars to unique genre-defying performances, this year’s festival truly offers something for everyone,” commented Joseph Fort and Rosalind Ventris, Festival Co-Artistic Directors. “We are particularly proud to highlight the incredible talent from Wales, celebrating this rich cultural heritage and bringing this wonderful music to as many people as possible.”
The Castalian Quartet & Rosalind Ventris
Friday 13th September, 7pm
Holy Cross Parish Church
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.
Simmy Singh
Friday 13th September, 9.30pm
Holy Cross Parish Church
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.
Eädyth Crawford
Saturday 14th September, 4pm
Cowbridge Town Hall
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.
Llŷr Williams
Saturday 14th September, 7pm
Holy Cross Parish Church
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.
Mary Bevan, Christopher Glynn, Alice Neary & Matthew Featherstone
Sunday 15th September, 5pm
Holy Cross Parish Church
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.
Young Ensemble’s Concert
Tuesday 17th September, 7.30pm
United Free Church
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.
Edgar Francis
Jâms Coleman
Edgar Francis & Jâms Coleman
Wednesday 18th September, 7.30pm
Holy Cross Parish Church
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.
Pedair
Thursday 19th September, 7.30pm
Holy Cross Parish Church
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.
Connaught Brass
Friday 20th September, 7.00pm
Holy Cross Parish 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.
Libby Burgess
Friday 20th September, 9.30pm
Holy Cross Parish Church
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.
Cantemus Chamber Choir
Saturday 21st September, 7.30pm
Holy Cross Parish Church
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!
Family Concert: Stories set to music by Toscana Strings
Sunday 22nd September, 11am
Cowbridge Comprehensive School Theatre
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’.
Festival Evensong
Sunday 22nd September, 5pm
Holy Cross Parish Church
Back by popular demand, we celebrate the conclusion of this year’s festival with a Choral Evensong in Holy Cross Church. All are very welcome at this service, which will feature much-loved Welsh hymns and choral riches from the Anglican tradition.
Acoustic Triangle: Gwilym Simcock, Tim Garland and Malcolm Creese
Sunday 22nd September, 7.30pm
Cowbridge Comprehensive School Theatre
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.
www.cowbridgemusicfestival.co.uk
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