Beaumaris Festival 22 to 29 May 2014 - Martin James Bartlett

by Jo Quinney
(Menai Bridge)

"The world comes to Beaumaris" during the annual arts festival held in beautiful Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey. An outstanding array of events has been organised by the volunteer ‘Festival Committee’ this year, Thursday 22 May to Thursday 29 May.

New to the festival is the ‘Young Pianists Series’ including Dominic Doutney and Clare Hammond, who plays ‘Keeling, Coniunctio’, a Festival Commission, and also Ji Liu, whose new album ‘Piano Reflections’ was championed by Classic FM and went straight to number one in the UK Classical chart.

“Last year pianist Martin James Bartlett overwhelmed us with his playing. We were so impressed we immediately discussed his playing a full concerto,” says Anthony Hose. Martin James Bartlett, who is only 17 years old, will play Beethoven’s second piano concerto with the Welsh Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Hose, 28 May, in a programme that also includes Bartok, Handel and Haydn.

“Martin James Bartlett is one of five pianists to reach the Keyboard Finals of BBC Young Musician of the Year 2014. The final has already been recorded in March, in Cardiff. The live performance will be broadcast on BBC 4, Friday 9 May, and we are looking forward to his performance in Beaumaris perhaps as the BBC Young Musician of the Year,” says Anthony Hose.

The ‘Young Artists Series’ will include Welsh percussionist William Edwards and violinist Itamar Rashkovsky. Oboist Manou Rolland and violinist Petru Cotarcea, from Chetham's School of Music, Manchester, will perform Schumann Romances and Gershwin classics.

“Past performers at the festival have included internationally renowned Welsh pianist Llŷr Williams, Brit Award-winning trumpeter Alison Balsom and outstanding Welsh sopranos Rosemary Joshua and Rebecca Evans, who are now both singing in the world’s top opera houses. The ‘Young Artists Series’ and exciting new ‘Young Pianists Series’ give you a chance to hear a range of artists before they become famous,” says Anthony Hose, the festival’s Artistic Director.

The Festival includes classical music and jazz, talks, readings, a South African wine tasting, a festival lunch and an art exhibition. All twenty-two Festival events can be booked online now at http://www.beaumarisfestival.com and the box office opens in the Bulkeley Hotel on 5 May, telephone 01248 800801.