Artistic Director's introduction
The music of today’s composers is arguably more exciting and diverse than at any time in the history of music. Whether you are already a committed listener or just beginning to explore this exciting world, there’s no better place to hear this music than at the Vale of Glamorgan Festival. The repertoire, with its emphasis on music written in the last twenty years, is carefully planned and the concerts are enhanced by talks and workshops, which, together with the presence of the composers themselves, help to make the Festival one of the most distinctive in Britain.
The 2008 Festival is a truly international event, with representative work and major performers from Poland, Holland and Estonia. We celebrate the 75th birthday of one of the best-known contemporary composers, Henryk Górecki and present a number of UK and world premieres, including a BBC commission from Piers Hellawell in the concert by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Distinguished visitors include the Silesian String Quartet; pianists Jeroen van Veen and Sandra Mol; and the remarkable Estonian vocal group Vox Clamantis. Resident performer Matthew Jones leads a strong Welsh representation. The final concert is a true birthday occasion celebrating, on the precise day, Australian composer Matthew Hindson’s 40th.
All of this takes place in some very special surroundings, including the 12th-century priory church at Ewenny, the historic Bradenstoke Hall at St Donats Castle and St Augustine’s Church, Penarth, with its renowned acoustic. Join us for a celebration of the new.
John Metcalf