Programme of events

Festival Pass - £95

A festival pass giving entry to all events, a saving of £21

Opening Concert

• 7.30pm
• Thursday June 23rd
• Penarth Pier Pavilion

The festival opens with the touching and poignant Haydn String Quartet Op.54 no.2 closely followed by Schoenberg’s dramatic, beautiful and groundbreaking Chamber Symphony No. 1 arranged by his dedicated student Anton Webern. From intimacy to full blown party spirit, Schumann Piano Quartet brings this Opening Concert to a close.

• Haydn String Quartet in C major op. 54 no. 2

  David Adams - violin, Mathilde Milwidsky - violin, Scott Dickinson - viola, Amy Norrington - cello

• Schoenberg arr. Webern Chamber Symphony No.1 op. 9

  David Adams - violin, Alice Neary - cello, Robert Plane - clarinet, Matthew Featherstone - flute, Simon Crawford Phillips - piano

• Schumann Piano Quartet in E flat major Op. 47

  Mathilde Milwidsky - violin, Tom Dunn - viola, Amy Norrington - cello, Jâms Coleman - piano

Relaxed Concert

• 11.00am
• Friday June 24th
• Penarth Pier Pavilion

For those with special needs and their carers - programme to include highlights from the festival programme. Please email info@penarthchambermusicfestival.org.uk if you need further information

Young Musicians Showcase

• 1.15pm
• Friday June 24th
• Penarth Pier Pavilion

Concert featuring talented young musicians

Early Evening Concert

• 7.00pm
• Friday June 24th
• Penarth Pier Pavilion

Featuring a much postponed performance of Beethoven’s magnificent Septet, which we first tried to perform in 2020 - Beethoven’s 250th anniversary year. We are delighted that Laura Tunbridge, Professor of Music at Oxford University, and author of the wonderful book, Beethoven: A Life in Nine Pieces is joining us and giving an illustrated talk during this performance.

• Brahms Piano Quartet in G minor Op. 25

  Malin Broman - violin, David Adams - viola, Alice Neary cello, Simon Crawford Phillips - piano

• Beethoven Septet in Eb major op.20

  Mathilde Milwidsky - violin, Scott Dickinson - viola, Amy Norrington - cello, David Stark - double bass, Robert Plane - clarinet, Florence Plane - bassoon, George Strivens - french horn

Late Night Concert Book at Bedtime - music and readings

• 9.45pm
• Friday June 24th
• Penarth Pier Pavilion

Our first joint venture with the Penarth Literary Festival will include music and readings to transport us to the land of nod! Featuring readings from Ben Holden’s anthology, Bedtime Stories for Grown-ups and music inspired by fairy tales, wine or hot chocolate will be included in the ticket price.

• Janàček Pohadka (Fairy Tale) for cello and piano

  Alice Neary - cello, Jâms Coleman - piano

• Jörg Widmann Es War Einmal…. (Once upon a time…)

  Robert Plane - clarinet, David Adams - viola, Jâms Coleman - piano

• Schumann Märchenbilder (Fairy Tale Pictures) for viola and piano

  Tom Dunn - viola, Simon Crawford Phillips - piano

Family Concert - Set Sail from Penarth!

• 10.30am
• Saturday June 25th
• All Saints Church

Lenny Sayers presents a fun concert featuring children from Pen Y Garth and Evenlode primary schools and festival musicians

Young Musicians Showcase 2

• 1.15pm
• Saturday June 25th
• All Saints Church

Concert featuring talented young musicians

Fanfare on the Pier

• 3.30pm
• Saturday June 25th
• End of Penarth Pier

A fun programme played by the wonderful Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan Symphonic Brass, conducted by Matthew Thistlewood. (This event will move to Penarth Pier Pavilion if wet)

Programme to include marches by Tchaikovsky and Vaughan Williams, Glen Miller Standards and James Bond Movie Tunes.

• Oliver Spear, Sol Maghur, Tabitha Harris - trumpet
  Jacob Adams, Conrad Thorndike - horn
  Dewi Thistlewood, Susie Rees, Rachel George, Sasha McGonigle - trombone
  Owain Skyrme - tuba

Pre - Concert Talk

• 7.15pm
• Saturday June 25th
• All Saints Church

Eminent musicologist and Brahms specialist James Lea introduces the Brahms Serenade

Gala Concert

• 8.00pm
• Saturday June 25th
• All Saints Church

Don’t miss this chance to hear our superstar patron, soprano Rebecca Evans sing Strauss Four Last Songs in this version for 14 musicians. Strauss’s ravishing Sextet for Capriccio and a rare performance of Brahms Serenade for Nonet complete this programme taking advantage of the fabulous acoustics in All Saints Church.

• Strauss Sextet from Capriccio

  Mathilde Milwidsky - violin, Malin Broman - violin, Scott Dickinson - viola, Tom Dunn - viola, Alice Neary - cello, Amy Norrington - cello

• Strauss arr. Ledger Four Last Songs

  Rebecca Evans - soprano, Simon Crawford Phillips - conductor
  David Adams - violin, Mathilde Milwidsky - violin, Scott Dickinson - viola, Tom Dunn - viola,
  Alice Neary - cello, Amy Norrington - cello,
  David Stark - double bass, Matthew Featherstone - flute, Lucie Sprague - oboe,
  Robert Plane - clarinet, Florence Plane - bassoon
  George Strivens- french horn, Jâms Coleman - piano

• Brahms Serenade No. 1 in D major for nonet

  Malin Broman - violin, Tom Dunn - viola, Alice Neary - cello, David Stark - double bass, Matthew Featherstone - flute, Robert Plane - clarinet, Lenny Sayers - clarinet, Florence Plane - bassoon, George Strivens - french horn

Flat Holm Island Discs

• 11.15am
• Sunday June 26th
• Penarth Pier Pavilion

Doors open at 10.30 for coffee and a croissant.

Helena Gaunt, Principal of RWCMD, discusses her musical life with David Adams, illustrated by her choice of chamber music, played by the festival musicians.

Reception for Festival Friends.

• 12.15pm
• Sunday June 26th
• Penarth Pier Pavilion

A drinks reception with festival musicians for Friends and Patrons of PCMF. A chance for us to thank our generous supporters. If you would like to join the Friends of Penarth Chamber Music Festival, please follow this link.

Support us

Afternoon Tea Concert - Italian Serenade with tea and cake

• 3.00pm
• Sunday June 26th
• Penarth Pier Pavilion

The Italian Serenade is dedicated to the memory of Martin Furber, one of the most dedicated and treasured supporters of the arts in Wales, a man of exceptional taste and a deep knowledge of music. Shortly before he died he sent us an idea with an Italian theme so we are honouring his memory with a programme of his suggested works. We are delighted that Rebecca Evans and Carlo Rizzi are joining us for this special concert. Tea and cake will be served after the concert.

• Wolf Italian Serenade

  Mathilde Milwidsky - violin, Malin Broman - violin, Scott Dickinson - viola, Amy Norrington - cello

• Respighi Cinque Pezzi

  David Adams - violin, Simon Crawford Phillips - piano

• Bellini Sei Ariette

  Rebecca Evans - soprano, Carlo Rizzi - piano

• Puccini Crisantemi

  David Adams - violin, Malin Broman - violin, Scott Dickinson - viola, Alice Neary - cello

Festival Finale

• 7.30pm
• Sunday June 26th
• Penarth Pier Pavilion

The festival finale continues the Italian theme with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s thrilling and romantic sextet Souvenir de Florence alongside Tchaikovsky’s favourite composer Mozart and his Russian compatriot Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring.

• Mozart Flute Quartet in D major K.285

  Matthew Featherstone - flute, Mathilde Milwidsky - violin, Tom Dunn - viola, Amy Norrington - cello

• Stravinsky Rite of Spring for piano four hands

  Simon Crawford Phillips - piano, Jâms Coleman - piano

• Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Florence

  Malin Broman - violin, Mathilde Milwidsky - violin, Tom Dunn - viola, David Adams - viola, Alice Neary - cello, Amy Norrington - cello