The largest cathedral organ to be built in the UK for nearly half a century will steal the limelight at one of Wales’ premier musical festivals this summer.
Llandaff Cathedral’s magnificent 4, 870 pipe organ, which took 18 months to install and was unveiled this Easter, will be the centre of attention during the Cathedral’s week-long Festival of Music from June 5-13.
Its range and power will be demonstrated in a varied programme which includes an organ recital by Huw Tregelles Williams, choral evensong most days and a final night performance by Llandaff Cathedral Choir of Vierne’s Messe Solennelle.
The Llandaff Festival of Music has attracted thousands of visitors since it was relaunched in 2008. All the concerts, except one, are free, thanks to the generosity of the participating artists. Donations and other money raised go to the £1.5m appeal for the organ, which is still on-going.
Other highlights this year include:
- Jazz in the Cathedral from the Chris Gilligan quartet;
- Lieder Evening, featuring baritones from the Welsh National Opera;
- Brass ensemble from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama;
- Solo piano works by Matthew Drinkwater;
- “A Spice of Italy” – an evening of virtuoso string playing.
The Festival will open on Saturday evening with a ticketed performance by Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society of one of the great choral masterpieces, Dvorak Mass in D. It will close with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, June 13, at 10.45am.
Another first this year will be the launch of a lecture series in memory of Llandaff Festival’s first artistic director. The distinguished former Cabinet Minister, Baroness Gillian Shephard, will deliver the first Christopher Cory Memorial Lecture on June 8 and give her reflections from a career in politics.
Meanwhile, the ever popular homemade refreshments between Festival events will be there to tempt peckish punters. Afternoon teas and light suppers will be available from 4pm daily at the Festival marquee and terrace, with a licensed bar from 6pm. A Champagne and Canapés reception will round the Festival off following the Thanksgiving Service on June 13.
Director of the Festival, the Rev Canon Graham Holcombe, said, “We have an exciting programme this year with many excellent performers giving up their time to support our organ appeal. I’m sure they too will appreciate playing in the unique setting of Llandaff Cathedral, now so wonderfully enhanced with the organ.”
A full programme of the week is as follows:
Saturday 5 June 19:30 Cathedral Choral Society
Tickets required
Sunday 6 June 16:45 Organ Recital
Huw Tregelles Williams
Monday 7 June 18:00
19:30 Choral Evensong
RWCMD Brass Ensemble
Tuesday 8 June
19:30 The 2010 Festival Lecture – Baroness Gillian Sheppard
Choral Evensong
Jazz Night in the Cathedral
Chris Gilligan Quartet
Wednesday 9 June
19:30 Choral Evensong
Piano Recital – Matthew Drinkwater
& Piano Trio – Poznansky Trio
Thursday 10 June
19:30 Choral Evensong
Lieder Evening – Philip Lloyd Evans, David Soar
and James Southall, piano, WNO
Friday 11 June
Choral Evensong
A Feast of Bach with Rachel Podger,Simon Jones and Badinerie
Saturday 12 June Evensong
Llandaff Cathedral Choir
Sunday 13th June
10:45 Festival Service of Thanksgiving
followed by Champagne and Canapés (tickets required)
