A cornucopia of musical delights at Welsh Proms
It’s one of the highlights of the summer calendar and this weekend theWelsh Proms are back. Here’s our guide to the main concerts...
ONE of the most anticipated events in Cardiff’s concert calendar – the Welsh Proms – is back at St David’s Hall for its 33rd year.
The 2018 series includes everything from classical, folk, jazz and brass to the world’s most memorable movies themes. There’s great family fun every day to keep the little ones entertained too.
Here we take a look at some of the highlights...
Sir Karl Jenkins: The Armed Man Saturday, July 21 at 7.30pm
The 2018 Welsh Proms starts in style with a First World War centenary tribute featuring the iconic Sir Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man performed by the Welsh National Opera Orchestra.
Elsewhere, within this powerful programme is the thrilling grandeur of Walton’s Spitfire, Prelude & Fugue; the shimmering beauty of Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending and the spectacular finale from Elgar’s Enigma Variations.
Soloist for the evening is the sensational Shân Cothi with virtuoso violinist David Adams accompanied by the Welsh Proms Festival Chorus and Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society, plus Cardiff’s Ardwyn Singers and Polyphonic Choir – all conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes.
Tiddly Prom: Cherry Pie’s Holiday Adventure Saturday, July 21 to Saturday, July 28 at 10.30am (not Sunday, July 22)
If you want to get in the mood for the summer hols with your little ones, then you’ll love this year’s Tiddly Prom.
There’s no need to pack your suitcases or dust off your passports, as Cherry Pie’s Holiday Adventure takes us on a wonderful journey from the seaside to the funfair, before rambling through rainforests and boarding planes and trains; plus a balloon ride too!
This interactive and accessible concert comes to Lefel 1 for seven performances throughout the week, and is the ideal introduction to music and its many instruments for under 5s.
Family Prom: The Carnival of the Animals and Other Zoological Friends… Sunday, July 22 at 3pm
The ever-popular Family Prom is back, and this year it celebrates the wonders of the animal kingdom!
Tails, scales, paws or claws – all creatures great and small are covered in this captivating concert featuring Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra and popular TV presenter, Josie d’Arby. Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals evokes images of beastly bears, crazy kangaroos and enormous elephants all rampaging across the stage.
Also included in this really wild show are family favourites from The Lion King, Chicken Run and The Jungle Book.
Plus, there’s a feast of free pre-concert activities from 1pm such as face-painting, hula-hooping, photo ops, instrument demonstrations and live performances.
Organ Prom: Sound the Trumpet II Monday, July 23 at 1pm
Acclaimed organist Anne Page is joined by revered horn player Crispian Steele-Perkins for Sound the Trumpet II. Music from the 18th to 20th century introduces the audience to both conventional modern symphonic and piccolo trumpets, plus Flugelhorn and historic Baroque instruments.
Folk Prom: Calan Monday, July 23 at 8pm
Welsh cult favourites Calan perform a cacophony of fiddles, guitar, accordion and bagpipes to create a uniquely fresh and vibrant sound. This high energy concert celebrates their latest album Solomon, which contains their most beautifully haunting melodies and infectious rhythms to date.
Classical Extravaganza! Tuesday, July 24 at 7.30pm
Experience an evening of the most dramatic and evocative musical themes ever composed from Rossini’s Thieving Magpie Overture, through Bizet’s Carmen, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s scintillating Scheherazade before the grand finale of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
This year’s programme features a welcome return from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, and includes a performance on the Hall’s great organ!
Brass & Voices Wednesday, July 25 at 7.30pm
For a passionate and patriotic evening of the very best Welsh choral music, there really is no concert better than Brass & Voices!
Presented by beloved singer and BBC Radio Wales personality Beverley Humphreys, this rousing repertoire includes Myfanwy, Cwm Rhondda and many more. Lewis-Merthyr and RAF St Athan Massed Bands share the stage with Massed Male Choirs from Bridgend, Cwmbach, Côr Meibion and Pontarddulais – Cymru am byth!
Jazz Prom: Celebrate Sinatra and the Kings of Swing Thursday, July 26 at 7.30pm
The magnificent Matthew Ford teams up again with Cardiff’s own Capital City Jazz Orchestra for a celebration of the legendary Frank Sinatra. Plus, there’s the greatest swing and Big Band music from an unforgettable era including Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr and Matt Monro.
Movies & Musicals Friday, July 27 at 7.30pm
West End and Broadway sensation John Owen Jones and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra join forces at this showbiz spectacular to delight film fans of all ages.
Get ready for memorable movie themes from Star Wars to Superman, plus musical theatre favourites from Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story.
Last Night of the Welsh Proms Saturday, July 28 at 7.30pm
Owain Arwel Hughes CBE brings the curtain down for the awe-inspiring Last Night of the Welsh Proms with a helping hand from renowned harpist Claire Jones and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Amid an atmosphere of high spirits are masterpieces by Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Elgar and John Williams as well as new works by Chris Marshall and Gareth Wood.