Latest news with #HuwWatkins
South Wales Argus
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Gwent Chamber Orchestra to celebrate 50th anniversary
The event will take place at Brecon Cathedral on Saturday, June 14, at 7.30pm. The concert will be a family affair, with composer and pianist Huw Watkins MBE performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No 19, alongside his father and founder member, John Watkins. The orchestra will be led by husband and wife, Stephen Broom and Julia Watkins. Mr Broom said: "As the venue of the orchestra's first ever concert, Brecon Cathedral is GCO's spiritual home. "Almost 50 years on from that inaugural performance it's fitting that we're returning to the place where it all began to play some of the same music. "We're also delighted that the talented friend of the orchestra Huw Watkins is able to join us for our golden anniversary celebrations. "The fact that the concert will also be a family affair makes it extra special." The orchestra was founded in 1975 by David Gedge, then the director of music at Brecon Cathedral. It was initially formed to support the Brecon Cathedral Singers and Choir. The concert will feature music played at the orchestra's first concert on June 21, 1975, including Elgar's Serenade for Strings and Schubert's Symphony No 5. Tickets cost £15.
Times
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Hallé/Elder review — a classy instant classic from Huw Watkins
Some new music sounds as if it has always existed. That was the case for Huw Watkins's Concerto for Orchestra, the latest commission in a fruitful relationship with the Hallé that has already produced two acclaimed symphonies. The British composer is in many ways a traditionalist, rooted in tonality and writing in tried-and-tested forms, but Watkins is neither nostalgic nor ironic about the past. The Concerto for Orchestra is sincere and meaningful — classy contemporary classical music for those who don't think they like the new stuff. For all that, the Concerto for Orchestra made a wonderfully fresh impression at its premiere at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, with Mark Elder, returning as conductor emeritus, directing a performance of exemplary clarity. With its bright palette, clean
South China Morning Post
24-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
‘Assigning sentinels': Philippines eyes Subic Bay islands for South China Sea security
The Philippines is considering converting two strategically located islands in Subic Bay into military reservations – a step analysts say would fortify its position in the South China Sea amid growing security concerns and external threats. Advertisement One of them, Grande Island, offers 'a strategic vantage point with a clear view of key sea lanes in the West Philippine Sea, including Bajo de Masinloc [Scarborough Shoal],' the defence department said on Thursday, using Manila's term for the region of the South China Sea that falls within the country's exclusive economic zone. Grande and Chiquita Islands are located at the entrance of Subic Bay, a natural harbour on the west coast of Luzon, around 100km (62 miles) northwest of Manila. Subic Bay served as a major US naval base until 1992, when American forces withdrew following the Philippine government's decision not to renew the lease. Subic Bay is the site of a former US naval base in the Philippines. Photo: Huw Watkins However, the area continues to be essential for military activities, with Philippine and American forces using it to resupply, refuel and repair vessels. Subic's port is also used to bring US military equipment into the Philippines during its Balikatan exercises.
