Two new world premieres from the pen of Edward Gregson will be featured as part of the forthcoming Presteigne Festival in mid-Wales.
The five day annual event celebrates its 35th anniversary this year under Artistic Director George Vass, with Gregson the featured Composer in Residence.
Worldwide acclaim
The festival that has gained worldwide critical acclaim for its adventurous approach to commissioning contemporary music, as well as featuring eclectic artistic programmes, which this year includes a survey of 1960s and 1970s 'counter-culture' and a homage to composer Erik Satie.
Also being performed are works by Peter Maxwell Davies, Francis Poulenc, Judith Weir, Alban Berg, Paul Patterson, John McCabe, Robert Peate, Richard Rodney Bennett and Bent Sorensen amongst others, whilst added attractions include a talk on musical anthropology, a major retrospective on the influence of artist Sidney Nolan, and rare opportunities to see the influential films, 'Breathless', 'Bonnie and Clyde' and 'Performance'.
String Quartet
Running from Thursday 24th to Tuesday 29th August, Edward Gregson's new 'String Quartet No 2' will be performed by the renowned Nightingale Quartet. The Danish ensemble won the Gramophone 'Young Artists of the Year' Award in 2014.
In addition there will also be a first performance of his 'Five Songs of Innocence and Experience', as well as a welcome reprise of his orchestral work 'Goddess'. 'Six Little Piano Pieces' and 'Serenata Noturna' for violin and piano are also programmed during the week along with his colourful 'Aztec Dances'.
The festival finale will showcase his critically acclaimed orchestral work, 'A Song for Chris'. He will also be featured in a major interview talking about his musical life with David Wordsworth.
Delighted
Speaking to 4BR, the composer said he was delighted to be invited to play such a central role in the event. "Very much so,"he said. "The festival has a worldwide appeal thanks to its artistic ethos, and which attracts a roster of quite outstanding performers.
The whole town comes together for the festival — with delightful venues packed with visitors and listeners all eager to enjoy the music and the eclectic programmes."
The festival has a worldwide appeal thanks to its artistic ethos, and which attracts a roster of quite outstanding performersEdward Gregson
Looking forward
He added: "I was honoured to be invited by Artistic Director George Vass to be the Composer in Residence this year, and I'm thoroughly looking forward to hearing my new works alongside existing repertoire and music from incredible compositional talent."
Find out more
To find out more about the festival go to:
