Community News

Crickhowell Choral Society 17th Music Festival

The Crickhowell Choral Society is looking forward to welcome all to a festival of grand musical offerings: royal birthdays, thanksgivings, epitaphs and musical endeavours, courtesy of the great baroque and classical composers. Here is a rare snap shot of the often intriguing circumstances that surround musical patronage: a sequence of noble tributes paid to saints, archbishops, kings, princesses and even a town council. The wonderful team of soloists and intrepid choir are
out in force to recreate some truly infectious music.

Amongst the undoubted highlights will be international tenor Charles Daniels and alto Catherine King who sing Purcell and Pergolesi. A special welcome will also be extended to soprano Charlotte Mobbs of The Sixteen who sings an aria by Handel that is to die for.

Birthday music by Purcell, Handel and Haydn forms the kernel of Saturday’s concert: ‘Timely Reminders’ of common hopes and fears which seem to have struck a chord, quite literally, with the composers. Sunday’s music also references some intriguing associations and includes a Psalm of thanksgiving for protection from earthquakes and a Requiem that became a prototype for Mozart.

Then there is Bach, whose music weaves a complementary theme through the Festival weekend. Concert goers will hear performances of two lavish cantatas and a recital of his consummate Musical Offering dedicated to Frederick the Great.

With royal events now much in the limelight, this will be the perfect opportunity to review their impact on music history. Undoubtedly there’ll be rich pickings for all!

To get the festival off to a flying start with the Folk Night, the Choral Society will welcome back talented duo Catherine Handley and Huw Chidgey performing new material that encompasses both traditional British and contemporary songs.  Tickets available from Webbs of Crickhowell.