Friends of Cwmdu Music–March 8th concert update
Our next concert (just over a month away, buy tickets) is a performance by the Pembrokeshire-based Nantwen Ensemble. This versatile quintet, described as “a breath of fresh air” in the Western Telegraph, brings old and new to Cwmdu, including music by Schubert, Caroline Shaw, a very special commission by Welsh composer John Metcalf and a short work by Ólafur Arnalds.
The Nantwen Ensemble was founded by cellist Daniel Davies, who studied at the Royal College of Music with one of the finest cellists of his generation, Leonid Gorokhov. Daniel brings together an exceptional group of players–Lisa Obert & Lily Whitehurst (violins), Patricia Reigns (viola) and fellow cellist, Nicola Thomas. They promise “to share their love and enthusiasm for chamber music without being stuffy.”
The ensemble will perform Schubert’s String Quintet in C Major, D. 956, his last and arguably most popular chamber work. It is often referred to as the Cello Quintet because it is scored for a classic quartet plus an extra cello–perfect for the Nantwen line-up.
They also perform Plan & Elevation by American composer, Caroline Shaw, a commission to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Dumbarton Oaks, an historic estate in Washington DC, perhaps best known for its association with Stravinsky. Plan & Elevation combines Shaw’s two great loves, music and drawing, resulting in a five-movement ‘musical drawing’ of the grounds–The Ellipse, The Cutting Gardens, The Herbaceous Border, The Orangery and The Beech Tree.
Daniel Davies is known for championing the work of Welsh composers whenever he can and John Metcalf’s String Quintet, Songs without Words, was commissioned by Nantwen in 2023. The work is inspired by three things: Strata Florida Abbey, the former Cistercian abbey near Tregaron; a Welsh hymn; and the simple prayer, Hallelujah. Daniel says it’s a work they love to play and describes the piece as “extraordinary” and “very special to us.”
And finally, an absolute must-hear is Verses, by the Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds. Verses is the introductory piece from his award-winning 2015 album, The Chopin Project. He takes the right-hand motif of Chopin’s Piano Sonata No 3 (Largo) and arranges it for a string quartet. It’s breathtakingly beautiful–have a sneak peek here.
Our Artist-in-Residence for this concert is Helen of InSpired Pottery.
"Living in the Welsh Marches I am inspired by the countryside around my studio. The colours, textures and history of the Brecon Beacons are reflected in the compilation of glazes used to create unique designs.”
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Concert: Saturday, 8th March 7:30 pm at St. Michael and All Angels Church in Cwmdu, Powys, NP8 1RW
Other concerts in the area: Ear worms—Tabea Debus and Toby Carr
Caroline Jones has invited an internationally acclaimed recorder player, Tabea Debus, to give a recital on Saturday 22nd February at 6.00pm, Clarence Hall, Crickhowell.
Tabea will be accompanied on lute by another outstanding musician, Toby Carr, who is a Professor at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. To reserve your ticket simply email mirjam.morat@gmail.com. Tickets are £10.00 for adults and children have free entry.
As a soloist and chamber musician Tabea regularly appears with La Serenissima and The English Concert, and joined the recorder quartet Palisander in 2023. She is a regular guest on the BBC Radio 3’s In Tune and Early Music Show, and has released seven solo discs to date.
Toby Carr has performed with most of the principal period instrument ensembles in the UK and beyond, as well as with many symphony orchestras, opera companies and ballet companies. Highlights have included touring over a dozen shows around the country with English Touring Opera from 2016 – 2023, joining the orchestra of the Royal Opera House for Handel’s Jepthah in 2023, and performing at the BBC Proms 2022 with La Nuova Musica.