2009 Programme

OPENING CONCERT
Amy Dickson saxophone
Alexandra Wood violin
Tom Hankey violin
Presteigne Festival Orchestra
George Vass conductor

Benjamin Britten Prelude and Fugue for 18-part string orchestra, Op 29
Peter Sculthorpe Djilile
John McCabe Les martinets noirs
Martin Butler Concerto for soprano saxophone and string orchestra
World premiere of a Presteigne Festival Commission
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Serenade in C for string orchestra, Op 48

Tickets: £18 reserved | £15 unreserved | £5 student
Tocynnau: £18 wedi'l cadw | £15 heb ei chadw | £5 myfyrwyr
This event ends at approximately 9.30pm
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 9.30pm

A BUCKETFUL OF IAN WHYBROW STORIES
Ian Whybrow is one of our most popular children's writers, among the top ten most-read in Britain. He has written over a hundred books. 2009 marks the tenth anniversary of the publication of Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs (now a much-loved TV series). The best part of a million copies of a Harry book were given free to children starting school this year, throughout the UK.

To celebrate twenty years of a mission to encourage children to read for fun, Ian will be taking a light-hearted look back at what inspired him to write some of his favourite books.

A family event, suitable for accompanied children aged 6 upwards

Tickets: £1 children | £6 adults
Tocynnau: £1 plentyn | £6 oedolion
Limited availability, early booking recommended
This event ends at approximately 12.30pm
Lleoedd yn gyfyngedig; argymhellir archebu'n gynnar
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 12.30pm

POETRY IN DISCOED
Pet Sounds with Nigel Lawrence
With his poem The Day My Goldfish Joined Friends of the Earth described as 'a masterpiece of comic surrealism', Nigel Lawrence returns to St Michael's to give a lively performance of this and many other of his award winning poems. Be prepared to be both entertained and moved. And you'll never look at a rabbit in the same way again.

Tickets: £6 unreserved
Tocynnau: £6 heb ei chadw
Limited availability, early booking recommended
This event ends at approximately 12.00pm
Lleoedd yn gyfyngedig; argymhellir archebu'n gynnar
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 12.00pm

STAR PRELUDES
Alexandra Wood violin
Gretel Dowdeswell piano

Ludwig van Beethoven Violin Sonata in A minor, Op 23
Huw Watkins Romance
John McCabe Star-Preludes
Huw Watkins Tarantella
Maurice Ravel Violin Sonata

Tickets: £10 unreserved | £4 student
Tocynnau: £10 heb ei chadw | £4 myfyrwyr
This event ends at approximately 3.30pm
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 3.30pm

THE INSPIRATION OF DREAMS
What part do dreams and the unconscious play in the creation of music? Composers David Matthews and James Francis Brown attempt an answer, drawing on their own experience and evidence from other composers of the past three centuries.

Tickets: £6 unreserved
Tocynnau: £6 heb ei chadw
Limited availability, early booking recommended
This event ends at approximately 5.30pm
Lleoedd yn gyfyngedig; argymhellir archebu'n gynnar
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 5.30pm

COMPOSERS IN CONVERSATION I
Composer Adrian Williams in conversation with chief music critic of The Birmingham Post, Christopher Morley. Williams introduces his new string quartet, to be heard this evening.

Free admission to ticket holders for EVENTS 6 or 7
This event ends at approximately 6.45pm
Mynediad am ddim i ddalwyr tocynnau ar gyfer DIGWYDDIADAU 6 a 7
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 6.45pm

CARDUCCI QUARTET
Joseph Haydn String Quartet in D, Op 50 No 6, The Frog
Adrian Williams String Quartet No 4
World premiere of a Presteigne Festival commission
Maurice Ravel String Quartet in F

Tickets: £15 reserved | £12 unreserved | £5 student
Tocynnau: £15 wedi'l cadw | £12 heb ei chadw | £5 myfyrwyr
This event ends at approximately 9.00pm
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 9.00pm

LATE NIGHT SAX
Zephirus Saxophone Quartet

Michael Torke July
Ian Wilson So Softly
Jean Françaix Petit Quatuor pour saxophones
Steve Martland new work
World premiere of a Presteigne Festival commission
Richard Rodney Bennett Saxophone Quartet
Steve Reich New York Counterpoint

Tickets: £10 unreserved
Tocynnau: £10 heb ei chadw
This event ends at approximately 10.30pm
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 10.30pm

SUITES AND JOURNEYING SONGS
Gemma Rosefield cello

Johann Sebastian Bach Suite in C, BWV1009
David Matthews Journeying Songs, Op 95
First Welsh performance of a Presteigne Festival co-commission
David Knotts new work
World premiere
Benjamin Britten Solo Cello Suite No 3, Op 87

Tickets: £9 unreserved | £4 student
Tocynnau: £9 heb ei chadw | £4 myfyrwyr
Limited availability, early booking recommended
This event ends at approximately 12.30pm
Lleoedd yn gyfyngedig; argymhellir archebu'n gynnar
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 12.30pm

IN MY CRAFT OR SULLEN ART
Carducci Quartet
James Gilchrist tenor

Joseph Haydn String Quartet in D, Op 20 No 4
Huw Watkins In my craft or sullen art for tenor and string quartet
Leos Janacek String Quartet No 1, Kreutzer Sonata

To be recorded by BBC Radio 3 for broadcast at a later date

Tickets: £10 unreserved | £4 student
Tocynnau: £10 heb ei chadw | £4 myfyrwyr
This event ends at approximately 3.30pm
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 3.30pm

HAYDN ON FILM
Some rare rehearsal footage of the Philharmonia Orchestra under their former music director, Christoph von Dohnanyi, in one of Haydn's best-loved late period symphonies - No 88 in G. The rehearsal is followed by a complete performance of the symphony's finale. Introduced by Barrie Gavin.

Free admission, but advance booking required due to limited availability.
This event ends at approximately 5.30pm
Am ddim, ond rhaid archebu tocynnau ymlaen llaw gan fod lleoedd yn gyfyngedig.
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 5.30pm

COMPOSERS IN CONVERSATION II
Musical polymath Geraint Lewis in conversation with John McCabe, Cecilia McDowall and composer-in-residence Huw Watkins about their pieces in this evening's concert and about the importance and magnificence of Haydn's late settings of the mass.

Free admission to ticket holders for EVENT 11
This event ends at approximately 7.15pm
Mynediad am ddim i ddalwyr tocynnau ar gyfer DIGWYDDIAD 11
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 7.15pm

LAUDATE
Pippa Goss soprano
Catherine King mezzo-soprano
James Gilchrist tenor
Michael Bundy bass
Richard Watkins horn
City of Canterbury Chamber Choir
Presteigne Festival Orchestra
George Vass conductor

John McCabe Red Leaves
Huw Watkins Nocturne for horn and small orchestra
Cecilia McDowall Laudate
Joseph Haydn Mass in C, Hob XXII / 9, Mass in Time of War

Tickets: £19 reserved | £16 unreserved | £5 student
Tocynnau: £19 wedi'l cadw | £16 heb ei chadw | £5 myfyrwyr
This event ends at approximately 9.30pm
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 9.30pm

FESTIVAL EUCHARIST
Rev Stephen Hollinghurst celebrant
City of Canterbury Chamber Choir
Edward Kemp-Luck organ
George Vass conductor

Cecilia McDowall Introit: I have done what was mine to do
William Mathias Missa Aedis Christi, Op 92
John McCabe The Evening Watch
William Harris Faire is the heaven
William Mathias Let the people praise thee, O God, Op 87

FAMILY CONCERT WITH ZEPHIRUS
George Vass presents an exciting concert of music for saxophone quartet played by the talented members of Zephirus. This concert traces the history of the saxophone and its music and includes some amazing pieces by Jonathan Dove, Dmitri Shostakovich, Steve Martland, Steve Reich and Michael Torke. There will also be lots of musical fun and games for all the family to enjoy.

Suitable for accompanied children aged 6 upwards

Tickets: £1 children | £6 adults
Tocynnau: £1 plentyn | £6 oedolion
This event ends at approximately 4.00pm
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 4.00pm

THE CARDUCCIS AT LEINTWARDINE
Carducci Quartet

Joseph Haydn String Quartet in E flat, Op 33 No 2, The Joke
David Matthews String Quartet No 11, Op 108
Béla Bartók String Quartet No 4, Sz91

Tickets: £10 unreserved | £4 student
Tocynnau: £10 heb ei chadw | £4 myfyrwyr
Limited availability, early booking recommended
This event ends at approximately 5.45pm
Lleoedd yn gyfyngedig; argymhellir archebu'n gynnar
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 5.45pm

HORN TRIOS AND HAYDN FANTASIES
Alexandra Wood violin
Richard Watkins horn
Huw Watkins piano

James Francis Brown, Peter Fribbins, John Hawkins, David Matthews, Alan Mills, Matthew Taylor and Hugh Wood
Haydn Fantasies for John McCabe
World premiere of seven new piano pieces to celebrate John McCabe's 70th birthday
Robert Schumann Adagio and Allegro in A flat, Op 70
Huw Watkins Horn Trio
Colin Matthews Chaconne with Chorale and Moto Perpetuo
Colin Matthews Capriccioletto and Omaggio
Johannes Brahms Horn Trio in E flat, Op 40

Tickets: £15 reserved | £12 unreserved | £5 student
Tocynnau: £15 wedi'l cadw | £12 heb ei chadw | £5 myfyrwyr
There will be two intervals at this event
This event ends at approximately 9.45pm
Bydd dwy egwyl yn ystod y digwyddiad hwn
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 9.45pm

WILD ABOUT NATURE
Suzie Fraser from the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust leads an exhilarating outdoor session for children of all ages. There will be a wildlife quiz, an opportunity to make props for wildlife games and a chance to learn about 'the masked bandit' - the polecat and other mustelids including weasels and stoats. Book early to make sure you enjoy the fun!

A family event, suitable for accompanied children of all ages

Tickets: £1 children | £6 adults
Tocynnau: £1 plentyn | £6 oedolion
Limited availability, early booking recommended
In association with the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust
This event ends at approximately 12.30pm
Lleoedd yn gyfyngedig; argymhellir archebu'n gynnar
Mewn cysylltiad ag Ymddiriedolaeth Bywyd Gwyllt Sir Faesyfed
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 12.30pm

VIRTUOSO VIOLIN AT DISCOED
Alexandra Wood violin

Johann Sebastian Bach Sonata in G minor, BWV 1001
Peter Sculthorpe Irkanda I
Huw Watkins Partita for solo violin
Béla Bartók Sonata for solo violin

Tickets: £9 unreserved | £4 student
Tocynnau: £9 heb ei chadw | £4 myfyrwyr
Limited availability, early booking recommended
This event ends at approximately 12.30pm
Lleoedd yn gyfyngedig; argymhellir archebu'n gynnar
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 12.30pm

FALLING ANGELS
Gemma Rosefield cello
Gretel Dowdeswell piano

Felix Mendelssohn Variations Concertantes, Op 17
Huw Watkins Cello Sonata
Ludwig van Beethoven Cello Sonata in C, Op 102 No 1
Cecilia McDowall Falling Angels
Bohuslav Martinu Variations on a theme of Rossini

Tickets: £10 unreserved | £4 student
Tocynnau: £10 heb ei chadw | £4 myfyrwyr
This event ends at approximately 3.30pm
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 3.30pm

AROUND THE BUILDINGS OF PRESTEIGNE
An historical walk with Duncan James

This event focuses on the historic buildings of Presteigne. The morning will consist of a guided tour of the town to view the many fascinating houses that range in date from the late-medieval period. Also to be considered are the development and layout of this border town and its history. Duncan James is a local buildings historian specialising in the study of vernacular architecture.

Tickets: £6 unreserved
Tocynnau: £6 heb ei chadw
Limited availability, early booking recommended
This event ends at approximately 6.00pm
Lleoedd yn gyfyngedig; argymhellir archebu'n gynnar
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 6.00pm

COMPOSERS IN CONVERSATION III
Geraint Lewis in conversation with Artistic Director George Vass, and composers David Matthews and Huw Watkins about this evening's programme and other musical matters.

Free admission to ticket holders for EVENT 19
This event ends at approximately 7.15pm
Mynediad am ddim i ddalwyr tocynnau ar gyfer DIGWYDDIAD 19
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 7.15pm

JAMES GILCHRIST IN RECITAL
James Gilchrist tenor
Huw Watkins piano

Benjamin Britten Six Hölderlin Fragments, Op 61
Sally Beamish Four songs from Hafez
Nicola LeFanu Two Auden Songs
Huw Watkins Three Auden Settings
Lennox Berkeley Songs from the Chinese, Op 78
Robin Holloway This is just to say, Op 32

Tickets: £15 reserved | £12 unreserved | £5 student
Tocynnau: £15 wedi'l cadw | £12 heb ei chadw | £5 myfyrwyr
This event ends at approximately 9.30pm
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 9.30pm

STEPHEN JOHNSON ON HAYDN
Joseph Haydn has been justly described as 'the most neglected of all the truly great composers'. While a handful of works have always been cherished, the scale and breadth of his originality still seems to be appreciated by relatively few. Stephen Johnson looks closely at some of Haydn's finest and most characteristic works, and argues that without his pioneering example the achievements of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahmsand even Wagner might have been profoundly different.

Tickets: £6
Tocynnau: £6
Limited availability, early booking recommended
This event ends at approximately 12.30pm
Lleoedd yn gyfyngedig; argymhellir archebu'n gynnar
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 12.30pm

PIANO IN THE AFTERNOON
Gretel Dowdeswell piano

Ludwig van Beethoven Sonata in  G minor, Op 49 No 1
Philip Cashian Six pieces after paintings by Ben Hartley
Huw Watkins Four Spenser Pieces
John McCabe Study No 9: Snowfall in Winter
Maurice Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin

Tickets: £9 unreserved | £4 student
Tocynnau: £9 heb ei chadw | £4 myfyrwyr
This event ends at approximately 3.15pm
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 3.15pm

ON OFFA'S PATH I
A guided walk along Offa's Dyke led by Jim Saunders, author of Offa's Dyke - a journey in words and pictures. The walk will begin a short coach ride away; tea will be available upon arrival back at the newly refurbished church of St Michael, Discoed.

The wearing of stout shoes or walking boots is recommended.

In aid of The Friends of St Michael's, Discoed.

Tickets: £7.50 unreserved
Tocynnau: £7.50 heb ei chadw
Very limited availability, early booking recommended
This event ends at approximately 5.00pm
Lleoedd yn gyfyngedig iawn; argymhellir archebu'n gynnar
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 5.00pm

ON OFFA'S PATH II
A guided walk along Offa's Dyke led by Liz Bunney, a Shropshire-based biologist working with the Forestry Commission's environmental education department. The walk will begin a short coach ride away; tea will be available upon arrival back at the newly refurbished church of St Michael, Discoed.

The wearing of stout shoes or walking boots is recommended.

In aid of The Friends of St Michael's, Discoed.

Tickets: £7.50 unreserved
Tocynnau: £7.50 heb ei chadw
Very limited availability, early booking recommended
This event ends at approximately 5.30pm
Lleoedd yn gyfyngedig iawn; argymhellir archebu'n gynnar
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 5.30pm

COMPOSERS IN CONVERSATION IV
Huw Watkins talks about his Three Welsh Songs and Gabriel Jackson introduces his new Piano Concerto, scored for a Mozart-sized chamber orchestra. Geraint Lewis chairs the discussion.

Free admission to ticket holders for EVENT 24
This event ends at approximately 7.15pm
Mynediad am ddim i ddalwyr tocynnau ar gyfer DIGWYDDIAD 24
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 7.15pm

FESTIVAL FINALE
Gemma Rosefield cello
Huw Watkins piano
Presteigne Festival Orchestra
George Vass conductor

Huw Watkins Three Welsh Songs for string orchestra
Joseph Haydn Cello Concerto in C
Gabriel Jackson Piano Concerto
World premiere of a Presteigne Festival commission
Joseph Haydn Symphony No 83 in G minor, La Poule

Tickets: £18 reserved | £15 unreserved | £5 student
Tocynnau: £18 wedi'l cadw | £15 heb ei chadw | £5 myfyrwyr
This event ends at approximately 9.30pm
Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn gorffen am tua 9.30pm