A celebration of living composers

We’re delighted that composer and performer Peter Bannister will give a pre-concert talk before the concert on 9 September at the BBC Hoddinott Hall. At 6pm he’ll talk about In spe, the Festival’s new Arvo Pärt commission, and Arlene Sierra’s new Piano Concerto, in advance of both pieces’ world premieres later that evening.

Expert on Estonian cuisine, Kaie Collins, will join forces with a local Vale of Glamorgan caterer to create the menu for the 2010 Vale of Glamorgan Festival’s first event, on Sunday 5 September at St Donats Arts Centre.

Kaie – an Estonian now living in Kent, and soon to have a book published on Estonian culinary delights – will work with Tracy Sanderson of Vale Catering to put together a supper blending Baltic elements with local Welsh produce. The event, featuring performance by extraordinary ensemble Resonabilis, and poetry from Penarth-based Philip Gross, promises to launch this year’s festival in style.

Booking for this opening event closes at the close of play on Tuesday 31 August – so purchase your tickets now!

We are delighted that Arvo Pärt has confirmed that he will join us at the Vale of Glamorgan Festival for two of the performances: the Amsterdam Cello Octet on Wednesday 8 September at St Donats Castle; and for the world premiere of his Festival commission, In spe, at the BBC Hoddinott Hall on Thursday 9 September.