Festival commissions were spread throughout the six days (23-28 August) of a yearly celebration of the arts that, through the guidance, vision and energy of artistic director George Vass, has become a highlight of the British cultural calendar.
An evening concert … marked the independence centenary of all three Baltic countries … the Concerto for two oboes and string orchestra in one movement (1982) by Latvian composer Pēteris Plakidis offered florid and sinuous interweaving oboe phrases set against more sustained harmonies in the strings …
… George Vass kept the performance on a tight rein that allowed for moments of both spontaneity and contemplation.
… George Vass’ happy knack of compiling satisfying programmes from varied repertoire was especially apparent in the Festival Finale featuring the Presteigne Festival Orchestra.
Britten’s Sinfonietta … received a scrupulous and exuberant performance … At the centre of the evening’s music-making was the world premiere of Martin Butler’s exhilarating Concertante Dances for piano and chamber orchestra. This sparkling, fleet-footed Presteigne commission included nods to all the other works by the composer featured in the festival and made an enchanting impression. Butler the composer kept Butler the pianist on his mettle and the textures were wonderfully uncluttered and bright … Kristīne Balanas was the soloist in Haydn’s Violin Concerto in C, Hob Vlla: 1. Her sovereign playing allied to an acute sensitivity to the character of the music … in the Haydn concerto her formidable musicianship was entirely at the service of the score. Just when we thought the concert had peaked early, the Festival Orchestra delivered a blisteringly fine account of David Matthews’ Fourth Symphony …
In sum, the 2018 Presteigne Festival was a vintage example of an annual musical event that never fails to impress and excite.
With new works in prospect from Cheryl Frances-Hoad, James Francis Brown, Freya Waley-Cohen and Adrian Williams, next year’s festival is already shaping up to be another unmissable occasion.
