Autumn Music Highlights @ RWCMD

8 August 2017

As Cardiff’s year-long Russia’17 season reaches its climax, the College’s autumn season starts with the great Maestro Valery Gergiev conducting the Mariinsky Stradivarius Ensemble in the intimacy of the Dora Stoutzker Hall.

This season also sees the return of Llyr Williams as he launches his exclusive exploration of the works of Schubert. The new Sunday morning Steinway International Piano concerts begins with Freddy Kempf, followed by Lilit Grigoryan in November.

An international flavour runs throughout the programme as the College welcomes the mesmerising Saz’iso ensemble from Albania on their first visit to the UK. Senegalese kora master Seckou Keita returns, this time weaving his musical spells with the great Cuban pianist Omar Sosa, and in celebration of the UK-India Year of Culture RWCMD introduces a new series of Indian music concerts, opening with the exceptional young artist Debasmita Bhattacharya. For more details see the World Music post.

Other visiting artists include violinist Stephanie Gonley, The Emerson Quartet, and harpist Lavinia Meijer.

Maestro and International Chair Carlo Rizzi brings the season to a close, conducting WNO alongside RWCMD musicians in the WNO opera gala in November.

For review tickets contact press@rwcmd.ac.uk

Highlights from the Autumn season:

• Mariinsky Stradivarius Ensemble, conducted by Valery Gergiev

Tues 10 October, 7.30pm, Dora Stoutzker Hall

The Mariinsky Stradivarius Ensemble, the very finest string players from St Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, perform on a magnificent collection of historic instruments. With their music director Valery Gergiev conducting an all-Russian programme in the intimacy of the Dora Stoutzker Hall, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime evening of string playing without compare.

• Emerson Quartet

Thurs 2 November 7.45pm, Dora Stoutzker Hall

The Emerson Quartet is quite simply one of the world’s most distinguished chamber ensembles, and with the recent addition of the British cellist Paul Watkins, its lifetime of experience is now matched by a new freshness. Tonight’s programme delves into the very heart of the Emersons’ musical world: Purcell, Britten and Beethoven’s sublime late quartet Op.132 – music that’s visionary in every sense.

Paul Watkins is the RWCMD Hodge International Chair in Cello

• Llyr Williams Schubert Recital Series

Thurs 9 November  7.45pm, Dora Stouztker Hall

The first of this five concert series includes two contrasting masterpieces from Schubert’s final years, the tranquil G major Sonata and the troubled and brooding Sonata in C minor. Between them are three virtuosic transcriptions by Liszt of songs by Schubert, taken from the set of 12 Lieder von Schubert which Liszt published in homage to the lost master of German song.

Next in the series: Thurs 1 February 7.30pm

• Winter Opera Gala with Carlo Rizzi & WNO  

Sat 25 November 7.30pm

Carlo Rizzi conductor

Join the college’s young singers in an evening of operatic scenes and arias, including a complete performance of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. Puccini’s comic one-act opera is a firm favourite with followers of opera across the globe, featuring Lauretta’s much loved aria o mio babbino caro, one of the highlights of all Italian opera. Under the inspirational baton of Maestro Carlo Rizzi and accompanied by the WNO orchestra, this very special performance showcases the College’s emerging operatic talent in a programme complemented by highlights from the bel canto operas of Rossini and Donizetti.

Carlo Rizzi is the RWCMD Hodge International Chair in Conducting

Other visiting artists include:

Love & Longing: Stephanie Gonley

Wed 27 Sept, 1.15pm

The Royal Welsh College String Soloists playing with guest artist Stephanie Gonley

Steinway International Piano Series: Freddy Kempf

Sun 22 October 11am

Next in the Steinway International Series: Lilit Grigoryan, Sun 26 Nov, Piers Lane, Sun 21 January

Lavinia Meijer: The Glass Effect   

Thurs 16 November 7.15pm

Jacob Collier & Guests

Mon 27 November 7.30pm

All performances are in the Dora Stoutzker Hall. For more information on the autumn season see our What’s On guide .

The College’s events calendar encompasses over 300 public performances every year including a wide range of concerts, recitals, drama, opera, musical theatre and free events which attract annual audiences of 60,000.

The creative diversity of the college ensures a stimulating environment and broad experience for students of all disciplines and a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for audiences.