International Summer Music
Concert 1

Llyr Williams piano

Friday 10 July 7.30pm

Felix Mendelssohn  Prelude and Fugue No 1 in E minor, Op35
Ludwig van Beethoven   Piano Sonata No 31 in A flat major, Op110
Frédéric Chopin  Four Scherzi

Biography  |   Supper menu   |   Audience reviews   |   Summer Q&A

Rehearsal pictures taken Friday 10 July 2009

‘… one of the truly great musicians of our time. … Those with ears to hear will have followed Williams’s playing as it has grown ever more secure and expansive. The hallmark of his Schumann Fantasy was its rare ability to take us deep into a very private world of dream, while at the same time creating a generously projected and truly virtuoso performance.’
The Times, April 2007, Hilary Finch

‘For many, this will have been the year of the Welsh pianist with wizardry at his fingertips, Llyr Williams. Solo, his Janácek (On an Overgrown Path) brimmed with tears and anguish, while his Schubert (the terrifying Sonata in A Minor, D784) was ferociously compelling. But he was as affecting with Alexander Janiczek and David Watkin for a warmly vigorous rendition of Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in D Minor.quote out.’
The Times, July 2008, Neil Fisher

Llyr Williams

Llyr Williams brings an extraordinary musical intelligence to all his work, combining a remarkable technique with a wonderful communicative ability.

Following his Wigmore Hall recital last season, Hilary Finch wrote in The Times,'...one of the truly great musicians of our time...Those with ears to hear will have followed Williams’s playing as it has grown ever more secure and expansive.' Williams has appeared regularly at the Edinburgh Festival and BBC Proms as well as working with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Hallé Orchestra, I Pomeriggi Musicali in Milan and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with whom he has toured the US.

A recipient of a prestigious Borletti-Buitoni Trust award, Williams will take part in a chamber music tour of the US and Europe with Mitsuko Uchida, Soovin-Kim, Christian Poltéra and Martin Fröst. In March 2009 Williams will return to the Wigmore Hall and makes his US recital debut at Carnegie Hall. He was recently nominated for a BBC Radio 3 Listeners' Award for Artist of the Year as part of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s annual awards.

Llyr Williams now has his own website: www.llyrwilliams.com

Summer Q and A

Q2    What was your earliest childhood memory of summer?
     Looking forward to my first summer hloiday o the beacg in Pembrokeshire.

Q4    What is your favourite city?
    Edinburgh

Q5    What are you reading at the moment?
    The complete 'un-edited' version of Gustav Mahler's letters.

Q6    What music are you currently listening to?
     The complete songs of Richard Strauss on Hyperion.

Q9    Which composer would you most like to have met?
    Edvard Elgar
 

After concert supper 1

After concert supper bookings for this concert is now closed.

MAIN: Poached salmon with lemon dressing served with salad leaves and baby new potatoes.  

VEGETARIAN: Wild mushroom and spinach cannelloni served with seasonal salad and foccachia bread.

DESSERT: Lemon and ginger syllabub with biscotti. Coffee/tea.

If you wish to add your review to the concert please email your comments and they will be uploaded onto the website. Blackthorpe Barn reserves the right to edit comments submitted.

Ella, Sudbury
Thought that the 'Beethoven' piece was brilliant and the best of the three I heard tonight. Thanks

John, Lawshall
Mendelsohn: astonishing performance. A very fine concert.

Moira Castell, RoughamSuperb playing – and delivered with such charm. I hope he will come again.