ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS CHURCH, LOWER MACHEN AND THE RIVERFRONT CENTRE NEWPORT

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1 23-28 June 2015 Box Office: (5p per minute, lo call rate) Advance ticket service including credit card bookings ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS CHURCH, LOWER MACHEN AND THE RIVERFRONT CENTRE NEWPORT

2 Lower Machen Festival takes on an international flavour this year with a series of themed concerts celebrating many distinguished composers, soloists and ensembles. Each concert has a particular country or nationality underpinning the programme. We are again happy to be hosting the festival at two venues The Riverfront, Newport for daytime events and St Michael and All Angels, Lower Machen. We are delighted to welcome two artists in residence this year, pianist Sunwook Kim and trumpeter Matilda Lloyd. As part of our vision for the festival we have been keen to create innovative partnerships between young and established artists and Matilda will be appearing as trumpet soloist with The Welsh Chamber Players as well as her solo recital at the Riverfront. Internationally renowned pianist Sunwook Kim joins the Heath String Quartet for the final concert and also gives the festival piano recital including music by Scriabin celebrating his centenary this year. Another centenary is celebrated by the Armonico Consort who perform Rachmaninoff s atmospheric Vespers 100 years after its first performance. Always wanting to give a platform to Welsh musicians we are pleased to welcome back violin/viola soloist Matthew Jones with his wife and highly acclaimed pianist Annabel Thwaite and Judith Souter who will be leading the Little Notes Family Concert. We continue our series of late night concerts, but this year the performance takes place outside the church with Magical Midsummer, a series of short pieces written for the Adventus Saxophone Quartet by local composers reflecting the ambience of the church and its surroundings. This year all the main evening concerts start at and we have three pre-concert talks given by Dr Caroline Rae and Peter Reynolds. There are many attractive offers to try and keep ticket prices to a minimum and students and children under 16 can buy tickets for evening concerts for just 1. Lower Machen is a rural idyll just nineteen houses (no shop, not even a pub!) with an incomparably beautiful small church, blessed with a perfect acoustic. Our aim is the highest possible quality of music-making in an atmosphere that brings together what a member of our audience recently described as a unique atmosphere, in which setting and music complement each other perfectly the ideal way to spend a summer s evening. Midsummer has always been a time for celebration and we hope that you ll make the most of the long days and evenings that stretch before us and join us for a celebration of musical talent. We cannot guarantee the weather but we can guarantee an enjoyable musical evening in unforgettable surroundings! A warm welcome awaits you. Peter and Alison Esswood Artistic Directors Please note: The gardens of Machen House and drinks marquee will be open before and during the interval of each concert by kind permission of Mrs Mary Adams. Photo Peter Whittaker Welcome Royal harpist Hannah Stone returns to the festival following her last appearance in 2010 this time with her trio, the La Mer Trio, who perform in many festivals through the UK.

3 Sunday 21st June 11.15am Festival Service A midsummer celebration in words and music. Tuesday 23rd June 1pm The Riverfront, Newport BRITISH RECITAL Matthew Jones CATHERINE MANSON viola/violin MARTIN FEINSTEIN Annabel Thwaite Tuesday 23rd June St Michael & All Angels Church Lower Machen Britten Three Pieces from Suite op.6 for Violin and Piano (15 ) Britten Elegy for Solo Viola (6 ) Bridge Four Pieces for Viola and Piano (12 ) Rebecca Clarke Viola Sonata (22 ) Welsh violin/viola soloist Matthew Jones returns to the Lower Machen Festival with highly acclaimed pianist Annabel Thwaite to present a programme of fine British music, including works from their awardwinning Naxos CD of Benjamin Britten, named Chamber CD of the Month by BBC Music magazine. Described by Fanfare as the finest violist since William Primrose, Matthew has recorded twenty discs and is Professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Annabel has won numerous accompanying prizes, performs as soloist and chamber musician in major venues around the world and has collaborated with such artists as Roberto Alagna and Bryn Terfel. Together they perform a programme highlighting the richness and variety of British works for violin/viola and piano, from the genius of Britten s early Suite and the exquisite melodies of Frank Bridge, to the passion of Rebecca Clarke s finest composition. GERMAN EVENING piano Price: 5.50 Concessions: 4.50 Photo Peter Whittaker The Feinstein Ensemble Martin Feinstein Director/solo flute/recorder Catherine Manson solo violin Robin Bigwood solo harpsichord Bach Brandenburg Concerto No.5 BWV1050 (23 ) Mozart Salzburg Divertimento in F K138 (11 ) Handel Water Music Suite in G (10 ) Telemann Concerto for recorder, two violins and continuo in D minor TWV43 ( 9 ) Handel Concerto Grosso in B op.6 No.7 (17 ) Telemann Recorder Concerto in C TWV51 (16 ) Specialising in the historically accurate performance of music from the 18th century, the Feinstein Ensemble s concerts and recordings of the Baroque repertoire have been acclaimed internationally. They open the festival s evening concerts with a programme of mostly German compositions including the famous water music and Bach s Brandenburg Concerto No 5. The Ensemble performs frequently in London, including a festival of Bach at Southbank Centre each March and an Autumn season of Cantata concerts at St Martin-in-the-fields. International tours have included the Far East, Germany, the Gulf and Egypt, Israel, Belgium and Holland. In 2007 they were invited by BBC Television to broadcast a groundbreaking documentary and performance of all six Brandenburg Concerti. I ve heard the Brandenburg Concertos so many times, and in so many contexts. Yet what the Feinstein Ensemble did with them had revelatory freshness. THE INDEPENDENT Tickets 16 ( 13 in advance) concessions 13 ( 10 in advance) Students and Under 16s 1 ANNABEL THWAITE & MATTHEW JONES ROBIN BIGWOOD

4 Wednesday 24th June 1pm The Riverfront Newport Thursday 25 June, St Michael s Church, Lower Machen Matilda Lloyd trumpet ITALIAN EVENING Finalist BBC Young Musician 2014 Jonathan Morell piano Henry Purcell Sonata in D (5 ) Georges Enescu Legende (6 ) Kent Kennan Sonata (16 ) Alan Hovhaness Prayer for St. Gregory (6 ) Sammy Nestico Portrait of a Trumpet (6 ) George Gershwin Three Preludes (7 ) MATILDA LLOYD 2014 was a busy year for Matilda Lloyd, when she won both the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award and the Brass Category of the BBC Young Musician of the Year aged 18. Her programme features some of the most exciting repertoire from solo trumpet and she is accompanied by pianist Jonathan Morell. ROBIN BLAZE ELIN MANAHAN THOMAS Elin Manahan Thomas Price: 5.50 Concessions: 4.50 FRENCH EVENING La Mer Trio Renate Sokolovska flute Maja Wegrzynowska viola Hannah Stone harp Jean-Marie Leclair Sonata in D major op.3 LA MER TRIO No.6 (12 ) Henriette Renié Legende solo harp (11 ) Timothy Raymond Memorare (10 ) Maurice Ravel Sonatine (12 ) Maurice Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin (10 ) Thomas Oehler Tryptique-11 (11 ) Claude Debussy Sonate pour flûte, alto et harpe (18 ) La Mer Trio comprises of Renate Sokolovska on flute, Maja Wegrzynowska on viola and Hannah Stone, the appointed Royal Harpist to HRH Prince of Wales. La Mer Trio was formed in 2010 in London when three soloists and multi-awards winning musicians joined forces. As a trio they are rapidly gaining a reputation at festivals and concert halls in the UK for their virtuosity, musical imagination and innovative approach to the repertoire and its distinctive interpretation. soprano Photo: Dorothea Heise Wednesday 24th June St Michael & All Angels Church Lower Machen (6.30pm: Pre Concert Talk given by Dr Caroline Rae) Robin Blaze counter tenor Matilda Lloyd trumpet Welsh Chamber Players Peter Esswood conductor Respighi Antiche danze et arie per liuto Suite No.3 (16 ) Puccini Crisantemi (6 ) Torelli Concerto in D (8 ) Pergolesi Stabat Mater (40 ) The Welsh Chamber Players return to the festival to take us on an Italian journey featuring Respighi s reflective Airs and Dances and Puccini s beautiful Crisantemi written for string ensemble. Matilda Lloyd joins the ensemble to perform on the piccolo trumpet in a concerto by Torelli one of the most prolific Baroque composers for the trumpet. Distinguished singers Elin Manahan Thomas and Robin Blaze complete the line up as soloists in Pergolesi s Stabat Mater, his most celebrated sacred work. The opening movement was described by Jean-Jacques Rousseau the most perfect and touching duet to come from the pen of any composer. Tickets 16 ( 13 in advance) concessions 13 ( 10 in advance) Students and Under 16s 1 The French flavoured programme draws on a range of tonal colours with some of the best loved French composers along with the opportunity to hear new music for the ensemble in Timothy Raymond s evocative Memorare and Thomas Oehler s Celtic Tryptique. Tickets 16 ( 13 in advance) concessions 13 ( 10 in advance) Students and Under 16s 1 to include Pre Concert Talk WELSH CHAMBER PLAYERS with PETER ESSWOOD

5 RUSSIAN EVENING Armonico Consort Christopher Monks Director Rachmaninoff Vespers All-Night Vigil op.37 (75 ) ARMONICO CONSORT The Armonico Consort Soloists perform the deeply moving and reflective All-Night Vigil, an extraordinary collection of pieces set to liturgical text from the Russian Orthodox Church. As a composer better known for his large orchestral works and the colour and virtuosity of his concertos, the Vespers, for a cappella 12 part choir is written in an astounding style which could itself be described as symphonic. Sublime melodies and intricate rhythms paired with the colourful Russian script have made the Vespers timelessly moving, with a truly unique style of choral writing. As the composer himself said, Even in my wildest dreams I could not have imagined that I would write such a work. Tickets 16 ( 13 in advance) concessions 13 ( 10 in advance) Students and Under 16s 1 Friday 26th June 10pm St Michael & All Angels Church Lower Machen LATE NIGHT CONCERT MAGICAL MIDSUMMER Adventus Saxophone Quartet Joshua Jones, Sophie Jenkins, Alice Atkinson, Naomi Bayley saxophones A concert of supernatural airs is coming to Lower Machen so prepare yourself for especially ADVENTUS SAXOPHONE QUARTET prepared, spellbinding new works. In the shadow of the old church four saxophones will cast mystery on all who hear their siren song. The upcoming Adventus Quartet will help the composers portray stories of ghosts, spirits and legends of old. Experience a Late Night concert like no other in a promenade setting that is sure to cast a ghostly chill. Attenders are advised to bring a torch for safety reasons. Price: 5.50 Concessions: 4.50 Students and Under 16s 1 To include Pre Concert Talk Saturday 27th June 11am The Riverfront Newport Little Notes Family Concert Little Notes Family Concerts will treat you to an innovative classical concert for babies, tots and their carers to enjoy together. Featuring world-class performances for the enjoyment of all ages, and lasting fifty minutes, come and hear exhilarating performances by outstanding musicians with your children in tow. Children can dance, roam about, and listen to music the way they feel it. They will sing some well known songs, listen to the delights of classic composers and be inspired as they observe real musicians play real instruments. We look forward to welcoming Teddy Bears to this concert. Price: 5.50 Reductions: 4.50 Under 2 s FREE Family ticket: 15 (2 adults & 2 children) Saturday 27th June St Michael & All Angels Church Lower Machen (6.30pm: Pre Concert Talk given by Dr Caroline Rae) KOREAN EVENING Sunwook Kim piano Bach Partita No.2 in C minor BWV826 (15) Scriabin Piano Sonata op.23 No.3 (18 ) Schubert Piano Sonata in B major D960 (40 ) Sunwook Kim came to international recognition when he won the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition in 2006, aged just 18, becoming the competition s youngest winner for 40 years, as well as its first Asian winner. His programme begins with the dances of Bach s 2nd Partita and Scriabin s virtuosic 3rd Piano Sonata culminating with Schubert s monumental piano sonata in B flat which portrays a range of emotions probing the depth of human mortality. Pianist Claudio Arrau once remarked this is a work written in the proximity of death one feels it from the very first theme the breaking off, and the silence after a long mysterious trill in the bass. The slow movement mirrors that of the great String Quartet in C D956, composed during the same period with some remarkable key changes leading to an exciting scherzo and triumphant final movement. Tickets 16 ( 13 in advance) concessions 13 ( 10 in advance) Students and Under 16s 1 To include Pre Concert Talk SUNWOOK KIM Photo: Hajin Ahn Friday 26th June St Michael & All Angels Church Lower Machen (6.30pm: Pre Concert Talk given by Peter Reynolds)

6 HOW TO BOOK Sunday 28th June INTERNATIONAL NIGHT By Phone Contact our advance ticket service Ticket source Box Office Line on The telephone box office service will be available Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 7pm, Saturday, 9.00am to 5pm. Calls received outside of these hours will operate on an answerphone and call back facility. All major credit cards accepted. Heath Quartet with Sunwook Kim piano Oliver Heath violin Cerys Jones violin Gary Pomeroy viola Christopher Murray cello Haydn String Quartet op.76 No.1 in G major (21 ) Tchaikovsky String Quartet No.1 in D major op.11 (28 ) Schumann Piano Quintet op.44 in E major ( 30 ) Described by The Strad as giving passionate performances that combine technical accomplishment with interpretative flair, the Heath Quartet is rapidly emerging as an exciting and original voice on the international chamber music scene. Haydn s op.76 quartets are generally recognised as the pinnacle of his writing in the genre and the G major quartet is almost orchestral in style taking us through some unusual conventions in tonality and characters. Although not viewed as a chamber composer, Tchaikovsky s lyrical first quartet is regarded as a work of technical mastery, full of emotion and character. The famous melancholic slow movement is frequently performed as a concert work in its own right. Online Tickets can be bought on line from Tickets will be on sale for evening concerts until 2pm on the afternoon of the performance. At that point any unsold tickets will be available to purchase at the door. Ticket Discounts Tickets 16 ( 13 in advance). Concessions Available to disabled people and their companion if requiring accompaniment 13 concessions 10 in advance. Children and full time students 1. WAYS TO SAVE Book one of the following packages for the best savings: Available in advance only The quartet join forces with Sunwook Kim for Schumann s uplifting piano quintet, considered one of the major works in the chamber music repertoire which brings the festival to a high spirited close. All Festival Events in Riverfront and St Michael s Church 86 (saving 32 on door prices) Full Week of Evening Concerts in Advance for 80 (Saving on door prices) All 7 concerts in and All Angels Church. Weekend Saver Book for all events in St Michael s Church Friday Sunday 4 concerts for 40 (Saving on door prices). Tickets for the Riverfront concerts can also be booked directly with the venue Box Office Tickets 16 ( 13 in advance) concessions 13 ( 10 in advance) Students and Under 16s 1 To include Pre Concert Talk HEATH QUARTET The Lower Machen Festival is grateful for support for this year s festival from Photo: Sussie Ahlburg N F Disabled Access The Lower Machen Festival welcomes disabled visitors. Access into and within the church is suitable for wheelchair users and semi-ambulant visitors. Disabled toilet facilities are available. Text: Large print notes are available. Please ring in advance to let us know your requirements on All seats are unreserved at St Michael and All Angels Church. For those who want to select a particular seat please come to the church before going to explore the grounds of Machen House. Doors open at 6.30pm. Festival bar opens 6.30pm prior to evening concerts and during the interval. The bar will be open between the two concerts on Friday evening serving drinks and light refreshments. Website: info@lowermachenfestival.co.uk

7 Getting to Lower Machen Lower Machen is just ten minutes drive away from Junction 28 of the M4 motorway. By Car Lower Machen is situated on the A468 trunk road between Newport and Caerphilly. Postcode for Sat Nav NP10 8AG M4 MACHEN TRETHOMAS ROGERSTONE A467 LOWER MACHEN A A468 NEWPORT BASSALEG A M4 CARDIFF GATE LISVANE DUFFRYN M4 CASTLETON 30 A48M PENTWYN ST MELLONS LLANRUMNEY EASTERN AVENUE Trains The nearest stations with bus links are Caerphilly and Newport. See for details of timetables. Bus Buses running between Newport and Caerphilly pass by Lower Machen. See for details of timetables. Places to Stay Visit for details of accommodation in the area FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE Date Time Event/Artist Sunday 21 June 11.15am Festival Service Tuesday 23 June 1pm Matthew Jones violin/viola Britten, Bridge, Clarke Riverfront Annabel Thwaite piano The Feinstein Ensemble Bach, Mozart, Handel, Telemann 1pm Matilda Lloyd trumpet Jonathan Morell piano Purcell, Enescu, Gershwin, Kent Kennan Riverfront 6.30pm Pre Concert Talk: Dr Caroline Rae La Mer Trio Leclair, Renié, Raymond, Ravel, Oehler, Debussy Thursday 25 June Welsh Chamber Players Elin Manahan Thomas Robin Blaze Respighi, Torelli, Pergolesi, Puccini Friday 26 June 6.30pm Pre Concert Talk: Peter Reynolds Venue Armonico Consort Friday 26 June 9.45pm Magical Midsummer Saturday 27 June 11am Little Notes Family Concert Riverfront 6.30pm Pre Concert Talk: Dr Caroline Rae Sunwook Kim piano Bach, Scriabin, Schubert Sunwook Kim piano with The Heath Quartet Haydn, Tchaikovsky, Schumann Sunday 28 June Rachmaninoff Vespers Please note all evening concerts start at Details correct at time of going to press. Please visit website for most recent information Registered Charity No: Company registered in Wales: Wednesday 24 June Programme