For over forty years the Gower Festival has brought music of the highest quality to our area of South West Wales. Once again, during the first two weeks in July, they are inviting internationally acclaimed musicians to play in the superb acoustic and atmosphere of our ancient churches.
Find out what’s coming up at this year’s Festival below, and book tickets for each event.
July 4th, 7.30pm – Book Now
St Peter’s Church, Newton, SA3 4RB
In the first concert of their three-day residency in Gower, the London Conchord Ensemble perform Schubert’s much-loved ‘Trout’ Quintet alongside the Grand Septet in D minor by Schubert’s older contemporary Hummel, with its virtuoso writing for the piano.
Tuesday July 5, 2.30pm – Book Now
St George’s Church, Reynoldston, SA3 1AA
Under the intriguing title ‘Myths and Fairy Tales’, the Conchord Ensemble play music by Rossini, Britten, Debussy and Mozart. Enjoy the stories and the contrasts of style and instrumental colour!
Wednesday 6 July, 7.30pm – Book Now
All Saints’ Church, Oystermouth, SA3 4BZ
A fine programme of music for wind and strings in serenade form. Martinu’s Nonet, with its echoes of his native Bohemia, is followed by the romantic Nonet in F by Louis Spohr, and then Beethoven’s popular Septet in E flat.
Thursday 7 July, 7.30pm – SOLD OUT
St Mary’s Church, Pennard, SA3 2EA
A lecture recital by the inspirational conductor and string-teacher David Watkin, throwing new light on Bach’s life and music. An award-winner for his Bach recordings, David’s talk will be wide-ranging, adventurous and fun.
Friday 8 July 7.30pm – Book Now
All Saint’s Church, Oystermouth, SA3 4BZ
A song recital by the outstanding young baritone James Atkinson, currently singing in Welsh National Opera’s production of Don Giovanni. His programme includes one of the greatest of all romantic song cycles, Schumann’s Dichterliebe (A Poet’s Love). A high point of this year’s festival.
Saturday 9 July 7.30pm – Book Now
St Peter’s Church, Newton, SA3 4RB
A firm favourite with Gower audiences, Pavel Kolesnikov is one of the most sensitive and original pianists of his generation. In this recital he brings fresh insight to music by Schubert, Schumann and Chopin. An evening not to be missed.
11 July 7.30pm – Book now
St Cenydd’s Church, Llangennith, SA3 1HU
Andrey Lebedev, who delighted Gower audiences in 2018, returns with the brilliant young Polish accordionist, Bartosz Głowacki. Their programme has a Spanish/Latin-American flavour, including music by Rodrigo, Piazzolla, Villa-Lobos and Ernesto Nazareth.
Tuesday 12 July 7.30 pm – Book now
St Paul’s Church, Sketty, SA2 9AR
Widely praised for their ‘uplifting’, ‘perfectly judged’ performances, the Sitkovetsky Trio – Alexander Sitkovetsky (violin), Isang Enders (cello) and Wu Qian (piano) – make a welcome return to Gower. Their programme is to be confirmed and will be announced on this website shortly.
Wednesday 13 July 7.30 pm – Book now
St Paul’s Church, Sketty, SA2 9AR
First prize-winner at the prestigious Leeds Piano Competition in September 2021, Alim Beisembayev makes his Gower debut performing Chopin’s Piano Sonata no. 2 ‘Funeral March’ and music by Haydn and Liszt.
Thursday 14 July 7.30 pm – Book now
St Rhidian and St Illtyd’s Church, Llanrhidian, SA3 1ER
A rare opportunity to hear Sir Arthur Bliss’s lyrical Quintet for clarinet and strings alongside Brahms’s late masterpiece for the same instruments. The acclaimed Elias Quartet are joined by Robert Plane, principal clarinet of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
Friday 15 July 2.30 pm – SOLD OUT
St Cattwg’s Church, Port Eynon, SA3 1NL
The Elias Quartet perform two gems of the string quartet repertoire: Haydn’s Quartet in G, Op. 54/1, and Mendelssohn’s stormy Quartet in A minor, Op. 13, the young composer’s tribute to the late quartets of Beethoven.
Saturday 16 July 7.30 pm – Book now
Reynoldston Village Hall SA3 1AA
An evening of Gower-influenced poetry and jazz featuring actors Melanie Walters and Bob Pugh (subject to filming schedules) with music by the popular jazz pianist Geoff Eales and his Trio.
