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The excellent acoustics of The Chapel of Art make it a wonderful venue for chamber music, especially soloists or small ensembles playing string instruments. Four World Premieres of compositions have been performed at The CoA since it opened in August 1995. For details, see the **italicised star markings** below.
Cello Violin Viola
Jahuda Hanani (Israel/USA) playing J. S. Bach, was recorded live by the BBC and is often heard on BBC Radio 3 and the BBC World Service. The strange noise in one passage of the recording, is the cellist humming along to the music. Otherwise the BBC sound recorders voted The CoA a first class recording venue with its superb acoustics and well-behaved Criccieth Festival audience.
"J. S. Bach and the Avant Garde" was the 1998 CoA New Year's Concert. The programme was devised and played by international cellist, Albert Roman (CH), including Claudio Gregorat's **Ariose e Scherzo**
Eiko Tanaka (JPN) played a technically difficult programme including works by Stravinsky, Kreizler, Paganini, Strauss, Tartini and Takemitsu on a Stradivarius violin with excellent piano accompaniment by John Caxton (Scotland). This concert was one of the triumphs to date.
Harp
This versatile string instrument is always associated with Wales, where generations of harpists have passed on their skills down the ages. Welsh harp music is a lively, ever-changing aural tradition, with its own distinctive character quite different from other European folk music, including the Celtic music of Ireland and Scotland. Concerts at The CoA are an important contribution to a wider appreciation of the harp and Welsh music by local and visiting audiences.
The triple harp is a remarkable instrument, with three rows of strings.
International harpist Elinor Bennett opened the 1999 National Gallery Week at The Chapel of Art with a lively concert performed on both the Concert and the Triple Harp. Meinir Llwyd Jones, Elen Hydref Thomas and several of Elinor's other young students at the William Mathias Music Centre in Caernarfon, performed in the 2002 Criccieth Festival.
David Watkins, Professor of Harp at Guildhall, London and long-time principal harpist of the London Philharmonic played to a maximum audience, including three encores.
Catrin Finch played during the 1996 Criccieth Festival to great acclaim. Even in a nation of harpists, she is an outstanding talent. Catrin has since become a well-known international musician and has been appointed Royal Harpist by HRH Charles, Prince of Wales.
Manon Morris with Alun Darbyshire (oboe) played **Tomorrow I shall wake** by the Welsh composer Geraint Lewis during the 1998 Criccieth Festival. Manon is another young talent who is worth watching.
Paul Hurst (USA) »the best jazz harpist in the world today« played harp and piano at the 1999 CoA New Year's Concert. Having played with Sammy Davis Junior, Diana Ross, Ann Margret and other Hollywood stars, this was a truly memorable start to 1999 and a concert many still refer to when talking about great musical events at The Chapel of Art. It was also Paul's first performance on a British stage.
Llio Rhydderch (Wales) has performed twice at The Chapel of Art. Llio represents an unbroken Welsh Harp tradition which can be traced back several centuries.
Piano
Katya Apekisheva (Russia) winner of the Silver Medal at the Dudley International Piano Competition and Gold Medal at the Royal College of Music in 1995. CoA appearance: 1996
Andrew Wilde (UK) opened the 1999/2000 winter season of concerts, playing a strong programme of Beethoven and Chopin.
Robin Colvill (Scotland) and Kim Colvill (narrator) presented "The Life and Times of Edvard Grieg" in 2001. This was the first concert arranged by The Friends of The Chapel of Art and was supported by the Arts Council of Wales and Gwynedd Council. 2001
Annette Bryn Parri (Wales) has accompanied several performances 1995-2000. Annette is well-known throughout the region, especially for accompanying singers such as Bryn Terfel.
Classical Guitar
Robert Kenyon (GB) whose programme included his own prize winning compositions. 1998
Nigel St. Morgan (GB) kindly played a benefit concert for The Chapel of Art. His programme of 19th century romantic French music was particularly suited to the venue and was much appreciated by the audience. 2000
Paul Galbraith (Scotland/Brazil) performed an exciting range of music and held a workshop. His custom-built guitar which has an additional sound box, was played in a vertical position, almost like a cello and intrigued his audience. 2000
Voice
John Eifion (tenor) Sian Wyn Gibson (mezzo-soprano)
Duos
Toby Turton (cello) & Peter Hewitt (piano) 2000
Llinos Owen (bassoon) & Jennie-Helen Moston (piano) 2001
Ilid Jones (oboe, cor anglais, recorder) & Stephen Ridley (piano) 2002
Ensembles
Chalabi String Quartet (1998)
Messiaen Clarinet Quartet (2000)
Royal Northern College of Music
With the kind permission of the Principal of the RNCM, several groups of talented young musicians have performed at Dwyfor Music Club and Criccieth Festival concerts held at The Chapel of Art.
Live Music Now! Wales
Founded by Sir Jehudi Menhuin over 20 years ago, this charity brings live music into communities, schools and institutions throughout the country.
Music Lectures Talks
"Wales - A Musical Nation?" was the provocative title of a lecture given by Dr. Lyn Davies (Criccieth Festival 1998)
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