One of the highlights of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales’ work is the opportunity to take to the road and enjoy music-making throughout the length and breadth of Wales.
From 25 until 28 March the Orchestra will visit Aberystwyth, Bangor, Wrexham and Llandudno during their spring tour to Mid and North Wales.
The Orchestra will perform a programme of music by Cherubini, Beethoven and Schumann on Thursday 25 March 7.30pm, (Aberystwyth Arts Centre), Saturday 27 March 7.30p.m. (William Aston Hall, Wrexham) and Sunday 28 March at 3p.m. (Venue Cymru Llandudno). For these concerts the Orchestra will be conducted by their Swiss Principal Conductor Thierry Fischer.
Beethoven’s Violin Concerto is the benchmark by which all Violin Concertos are judged. Dramatic, soulful and tender, it is an Everest for each new generation of violinists and will be played on the tour by Lesley Hatfield, leader of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Lesley has established a reputation as an outstandingly versatile musician, sought after as soloist, chamber musician and teacher in addition to her orchestral career.
Schumann’s Symphony No 1 (Spring) adds to the programme heralding the beginning of a new season and will also be heard here alongside Cherubini’s overture, Medea.
BBC National Orchestra of Wales will also perform at the Bangor New Music Festival during their visit to the area on Friday 26 March at 7.30pm at Prichard Jones Hall, Bangor.
Welsh Conductor Grant Llewellyn will join the Orchestra for their first appearance at Bangor’s Festival, which is now in its tenth year. They will perform Pwyll ap Siôn’s Gwales, which draws on Mozart’s Requiem, new commissions by Guto Puw [the BBC National Orchestra of Wales’ Resident Composer], and Andrew Lewis, who is a Professor of Music at Bangor University. The World Premiere of Adrian Williams Cello Concerto, a composer whose music strongly evokes the wild open countryside of Wales will also be performed at the concert by cellist Raphael Wallfisch,
Tickets for all the concerts are available from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales Audience Line on 0800 052 1812. (Aberystwyth Arts Centre £12.50-18.50), (William Aston Hall, Wrexham £9-14.50), (Prichard Jones Hall, Bangor £12.50) and (Venue Cymru, Llandudno £9- £19) with discounts available.
For further information on BBC National Orchestra of Wales visit bbc.co.uk/now.
