| The world-famous percussionist Evelyn Glennie and the renowned cellist, Julian Lloyd Webber, have confirmed they will be performing at this year's North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph. The twin coup has delighted the organisers who are already celebrating after securing a three-year funding package from the Arts Council of Wales. The festival will receive at least ã42,000 a year over the next three years. The event, which takes place between September 16 and 23, is also being supported by the Cadwyn Clwyd Rural Enterprise Agency. Evelyn Glennie, whose concert is being sponsored by Npower Renewables, is the first person in musical history to successfully create and sustain a full-time career as a solo percussionist. In 1993, she was awarded the OBE for her services to music, and to date has received no less than 70 international awards, including a coveted Grammy.
Widely regarded as one of the most creative musicians of his generation, Julian Lloyd Webber is the younger brother of Andrew Lloyd Webber, the king of West End and Broadway musicals.
He has collaborated with an extraordinary array of musicians from Yehudi Menuhin, Lorin Maazel, Neville Marriner and Georg Solti to Stephane Grappelli, Elton John and Cleo Laine.
Other big names performing this year include festival favourites like the former royal harpist, Catrin Finch, and Classical Brit winners, The Sixteen, along with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
Artistic Director Ann Atkinson said: "We are absolutely thrilled that we have been able to attract such a stellar line-up for this year's festival, which again is being supported by the Cadwyn Clwyd Rural Enterprise Agency.
"The fact that we are able to boast artistes of the calibre of Julian Lloyd Webber and Evelyn Glennie is a major feather in our cap. "Not only will Evelyn Glennie be performing at the festival, she will be holding a percussion master class for music students. "Then there's an orchestral workshop with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales who are sending eight players to North Wales ahead of the main group. "They're going to be working with youngsters on preparing exam pieces and audition pieces. "They can also come and watch the orchestra rehearse and meet the conductor and the soloist and come to the evening concert as well." More information about the festival can be found at: www.northwalesmusicfestival.co.uk |
Ponterwyd