Fishguard Music Festival Reviews

To the people of Fishguard, Goodwick and district:

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation of all the support, hard work, community spirit and general pulling together by all of the people of Fishguard and its surrounding area, which has made the 39th Fishguard International Music Festival an even greater success than I could have thought possible. This has taken the form of an enviable response from the audiences to the high artistic standards we set ourselves, an extraordinary and unusual level of concentration from those audiences, a wonderful level of efficiency from the festival administration, and not least from financial community support from local sponsors, including institutional and, corporate and private.

Last year’s festival – my first as President – completely outstripped my expectations, both artistically and from the point of view of its support from the local people. I say that in the context of a general lull in most of the rest of the Western World in interest in the arts. It was of a consistently high standard, and was regularly attended and supported (and enthused over) by many people, including by numerous visitors from very far and wide around the UK.

This year I am pleased to note that the high standard of the events remains unchanged, the level of attendance from the local community is even greater, and that there were visitors who came specially for the Festival from as far away as the USA, Canada and Japan. This is the building of a reputation that one can only dream of. As regards the quality of the events, I can think of no better way to express my feelings than to report completely honestly and without diplomacy that the chamber concert I took part in at Rhos - y - Gilwen on 30 July contained some of the most sublime moments of chamber-music making I have ever experienced.

I am very proud to be associated with the Festival and look forward to building yet further upon this remarkable achievement. The continuance of the Festival is, as always, dependent on financial considerations. However, it is impossible to imagine the Arts Council of Wales, to say nothing of local businesses, not continuing to join in with such an obviously needed and successful enterprise, particularly in the run up to its 40th Anniversary for which we must now begin to prepare.

Thank you Fishguard.

Peter Donohoe.
President Fishguard International Music Festival

Much credit to Fishguard Music Festival

To the Editor

We have just returned from our visit to Fishguard where as usual we combined a summer holiday with attendance at your annual Music Festival. This year’s Festival continued the tradition of presenting a programme of internationally acclaimed performers and also introducing young artists who have yet to establish themselves. The organizers are to be given much credit for their commitment and skill in producing such a range of attractive and varied concerts and recitals. We are extremely grateful to everyone who is making it possible for this Festival to continue to be held in what must be one of the most beautiful parts of Wales, and we have already booked our accommodation for next year! The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming both at the Festival and in the town and we greatly enjoy all your local attractions. We are now looking forward to yet another thrilling week in Fishguard and the pleasures of the 40th Fishguard International Music Festival in 2009.

Many thanks,

Yours faithfully,

Dorothy and Gerard Cambridge
Bolton, Lancs.

Looking forward to Music Festival’s 40th

To the Editor,

We have arrived back from almost a week in Fishguard. We wanted to say ‘thank you’ to everyone concerned with the Music Festival. It was an excellent week full of musical thrills plus the accustomed friendliness amongst the concert –goers, musicians and organizers. We look forward to another exciting programme next year, not only of more musical treats but an event celebrating forty years of the Fishguard International Music festival.

Very many thanks

Yours faithfully,

R and B Roche,
Abbey lane
Hartford
Northwich
Cheshire

Fishguard International Music Festival 2007

Despite a threat earlier this year that Fishguard might lose its prestigious Music Festival, July 2007 actually saw a very lively and entertaining Festival programme in place with an opening concert on 21st July.

After the February public meetings called by the local Council’s Arts Officer, a new Management Committee was elected. Although consisting of only four people plus Treasurer, the group set about planning a programme for 2007 in keeping with the broad sentiments of the public meetings that the Festival should be mainly classical in nature, of a week’s duration and remain at the end of July. The Committee decided that the transition from former Committee to new should be as seamless as possible and that the International Music Festival should be as recognisable as a prestige Festival as it ever was.

As well as planning the programme for 2007 there was considerable Festival “business” to see to and this had to be done alongside the artistic planning for 2007.

International concert pianist Peter Donohoe was approached to see if he would become Festival president from 2007. He agreed immediately reminding us that he had played in Fishguard regularly early in his career and Fishguard believed in him then as now. Peter gave his own recital at Rhos-y-gilwen’s new Oak Hall and he joined The City of Birmingham Symphony Quartet in quintets by Dvorak and Elgar. He also stayed on to attend the Young Musicians’ Platform at The Church of The Holy Name.

The week began with an opening Gala concert in St. David’s Cathedral with vocal and orchestral music. Simon Pearce played Poulenc’s organ concerto. Timothy Noon conducted the concert and it was one of his last musical engagements down here before his departure for Liverpool.

Ensemble 8 (BBC NOW) and Fine Arts Brass gave splendid concerts in St Peter’s Church, Goodwick. The Swingle singers and Glen Miller performed superbly in Ysgol Bro Gwaun. Dr. John Harcup gave a pre-concert talk on Edward Elgar in Theatr Gwaun before which Libby Bennett (flute) and Eluned Pearce (Harp) had performed in St. Mary’s Church. Libby was delighted to perform at the 38th Fishguard International Music Festival - her father, Walter, had been a founder member of the festival in 1970.

The Festival concluded with a very fine orchestral concert given by BBC NOW conducted by James Judd with rising star violinist Alina Ibragimova. We were treated to fine performances of Mendelssohn’s violin concerto and a string symphony. The concert opened with Elgar’s ‘Froissart’ overture and ended with a quite fine performance of his Enigma Variations.

The festival week was full of highly acclaimed performances and events. The Fishguard International Music Festival remains firmly on the musical map.

As intended the Festival supported the local economy and many local businesses supported a concert, sponsored the event or advertised in the concert programme. Therefore, it was quite a community affair with involvement from many local people. Numerous people worked as Box Office personnel, ticket sellers and stewards.

The Festival conducted most of its business in Fishguard and Goodwick - printing, hospitality, accommodation etc; shops and traders benefited from the Festival project.

Local press coverage was excellent with tremendous support from the County Echo and Pembrokeshire Life in particular.

It could all happen again next year - subject to satisfactory funding.

Alan Caunce

Secretary - Artistic adviser F.I.M.F