Musical Opinion, Paul Conway

Set in the idyllic Radnorshire countryside, the 43rd Presteigne Festival took place on 21-25 August, offering a judicious blend of contemporary and mainstream repertoire in first-rate performances.

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“The Presteigne Festival Orchestra’s eloquent solo and tutti contributions [of Eleanor Alberga’s Violin Concerto No 2, ‘Narcissus’] and George Vass’ sensitive shaping of the score contributed strongly to the performance’s success…”

Elinor Rolfe Johnson, Thomas Humphreys, Bath Camerata and the Presteigne Festival Orchestra all acquitted themselves magnificently in a glorious performance [of Cecilia McDowall’s Da Vinci Requiem], expertly balanced, paced and structured by George Vass.

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St Andrew’s was also the venue for the Festival Finale, featuring the Presteigne Festival Orchestra’s strings, conducted by George Vass…

“Players and conductor seemed to savour the score’s expressive and textural variety, rewarding the composer with a reading of notable breadth and conviction…”

A deeply felt account of Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony in C minor, Op 110a brought the official programme to a bleakly poignant conclusion, the audience’s initially numbed response a natural, human reaction to the anguished music’s capacity to reflect universal tragedy.

“A movement from Frank Bridge’s Suite for Strings made a lovely encore, bringing to an end a festival of matchless quality, presenting outstanding repertoire choice and the highest standards of musicianship.”