EISTEDDFOD... IN KAZAKHSTAN
Musician’s St David’s Day plan:
A MUSICIAN is organising an eisteddfod to mark St David’s Day – in Kazakhstan.
Ross Clarke is a music teacher at a British school in the capital Astana, and the eisteddfod is one of two events organised by the 29-year-old in the city. And Mr Clarke, originally from Nebo, near Caernarfon, has persuaded his friend, Robert Guy, to fly out and adjudicate.
Mr Guy, founder and artistic director of the acclaimed NEW Sinfonia orchestra, will also conduct a St David’s Day concert while he’s over there.
The concert with the Astana Philharmonic Orchestra will feature the Kazakhstan premiere of Serenade for Orchestra, by celebrated composer William Mathias, who was professor of music at Bangor University and founder of the North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph.
Mr Guy said: “I’ve worked in quite a few countries but this will be my first time in Kazakhstan.
“I first met Ross when we played together in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales about 15 years ago – Ross on trumpet and myself on viola.
“Ross now works as a professional musician in Kazakhstan, playing with the Astana Opera Orchestra, and is a music teacher at Haileybury School.
“Last year, Ross, who like myself is a proud Welshman, founded the Astana ICEsteddfod at the school – it was such a huge success he was invited to stage it again this year. I’m thrilled he’s invit- ed me to go over there to be an adjudicator.”
As for the concert, Mr Guy said: “As this is the Welsh national day we will, of course, be performing Welsh music, , including Serenade for Orchestra. I’m m pretty sure this will be the first time it t has been heard in Kazakhstan.”
Mr Guy added: “The events s also o bring together two of my favourite ourite e things – conducting an orchestra estra and working with young people.” ”