2019 sees the 50th anniversary of the Vale of Glamorgan Festival, a cornerstone of contemporary music scene. Founded by composer John Metcalf in 1969 it has become one of the most pioneering contemporary festivals, commissioning and celebrating a startling array of new music.
In celebration of its anniversary the festival have commissioned Lynne Plowman’s Emergency Exit alongside works by nine other composers for street organ. The new works will be premiered at Wales Millennium Centre by Dutch Street Organ owner and operator Francis Stapleton before touring to St Fagans National Museum of History, Barry Island, Penarth Pier, Aberystwyth and Bangor on 18-19 May.
Astrid the Street Organ: 10 World Premieres
Saturday 18 May 11am, Glanfa Stage, Wales Millennium Centre
Saturday 18 May 1pm, Cardiff Bay
Sunday 19 May: St Fagans National Museum of History (am), Penarth Pier Pavilion (early pm), Barry Island (pm)
Wednesday 22 May sees the world premiere by the prize-winning Armida Quartet of Rob Fokkens’ flutterings, splinterings, becomings, a Vale of Glamorgan Festival commission supported with funding from Ty Cerdd.
Armida Quartet
22nd May 2019, 7.30pm
Ewenny Priory
Fokkens is also joint director of the Peter Reynolds Composer Studio (with Vale of Glamorgan Festival director John Metcalf as the other director), a residency created by the Vale of Glamorgan Festival for emerging composers, and will be mentoring and tutoring a group of six young composers through the week, including in workshop sessions with the Armida Quartet. Details.
Tags: 50th anniversary, Armida Quartet, Commission, Emergency Exit, flutterings splinterings becomings, Francis Stapleton, John Metcalf, Lynne Plowman, Rob Fokkens, Street Organ, Ty Cerdd, Vale of Glamorgan Festival, Wales Millennium Centre