Cantorion & Symphonica Tywi
Introduction .>> Recent events
Recent Events:
Saturday, December 17, 2011: Christmas Concert
In the programme Mike Cottam reminded the audience that Christmas is a family time, old friends and relationships renewed and refreshed. The Christmas concert confirmed once more how the audience is an important part of a unique musical family.
The programme began with a brass fanfare. The congregation then rose and joined the choir in "Adeste Fideles". From then on the evening was a joyful celebration of music from "Veni Emmanuel" (Elgar) sung by the choir to "I Got Plenty of Nuttin'" (Gershwin) sung by Eirian Davies, baritone. "Once in Royal David's City" began with a beautiful solo from Tiffany Edwards, solo treble.
In the interval hot punch and mince pies were served to everyone. The weather never puts off our friends and this evening, despite the downpours outside, produced a full house.
After "Hark The Herald" the concert ended, but not before many handshakes and promises to meet in 2012.
Saturday, October 29, 2011: Mozart - Coronation Mass
A sou'wester might have been blowing outside, but in St. Cadog's Church, Llangadog on Saturday 29th October, a performance including Mozart's CORONATION MASS and Rutter's MAGNIFICAT was warmly applauded by an appreciative audience of over 100! It shows how people in the Tywi Valley are not deterred by the weather and this was noted by a grateful choir and orchestra.
Saturday, May 7, 2011: Table Top Sale in Llanwrda
Jonathan Edwards, M.P. for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, at the end of a busy week on the hustings, still found time to come to Llanwrda and open its first community table top sale. Cantorion Tywi took a stall and were raising funds for the choir and orchestra.
Jonathan Edwards meets the Rev. Mike Cottam who explains the need to raise funds.
Mike is accompanied by choir member Pat Lee, also of Llanwrda Bloomers.
Photo: Ken Day http://kendayphotography.com
Sunday, April 3 and Saturday April 16, 2011: Karl Jenkins - Stabat Mater
April was a busy month for the choir and orchestra. They performed Karl Jenkins' Stabat Mater in St. Cadog's Church, Llangadog on 3rd April and were invited to perform it once again in Christ Church, Carmarthen on 16th April.
The conductor, Mike Cottam with Symphonica & Cantorion Tywi. Photo: Ken Day
The mayor and mayoress of Carmarthen, Alan and Stephanie Speake, with the conductor, Mike Cottam,
Rhys Watkins, leader of the orchestra and Eleri Owen Edwards, mezzo soprano.
Photo: Ken Day http://kendayphotography.com
Saturday, January 15, 2011: Celebration !
WEATHER
BEATEN: For the first time in sixteen years Cantorion and Symphonica
Tywi under their conductor, Mike Cottam, had to cancel a concert.
The traditional Christmas concert was snowed off.
Saturday, November 13th, 2010: "War and Peace - for the fallen".
The choir and orchestra gave a concert on the theme of "War and Peace" in St Cadogs church, Llangadog. The program included Dona Nobis Pacem by Vaughan Williams, excerpts from The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins, Cantique de Jean Racine by Gabriel Fauré, and Mars and Venus from Holst's The Planets. We would like to thank the community of the Tywi Valley for its heartening support. We are grateful to the Mayor and Mayoress of Llandovery and the Deputy Mayor and Consort of Llandeilo for their presence on this special occasion to honour all victims of war.
The soloists were Beshlie Thorp (Soprano) and Eirian Davies (Bass Baritone).
Back row: Orchestra Leader, Mr Rhys Watkins and Conductor, Rev. Mike Cottam.
Mayor and Mayoress of Llandovery, Mr and Mrs Nigel Burgess, Deputy Mayor of Llandeilo, Mrs Julia Jones.
Front row, right, soloists: Beshlie Thorpe and Eirian Davies.
September 18th, 2010: Orchestra in Bits, (Bows, Blows and Beats).
The orchestra gave a concert of classical and popular music, highlighting the four sections of a Symphony Orchestra - string, brass, woodwind and percussion, in St Cadogs church, Llangadog. The concert included:
Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man - Sibelius: Andante Festivo - Faulkner: Three Pieces for 2 Oboes and Cor Anglais - Bach:Double Violin Concerto - "Sister Kate" - Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks - Motzart: Musical Joke - Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, 1st mov. - Greaves: Beethoven 5th Bossa Nova - Tchaikovsky: Waltz from the Serenade for Strings - Bratton: The Teddy Bear's Picnic - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 4 Finale.
July, 2010: Summer Serenade
Friday, 30th July, the choir held their summer social gathering to which friends of the choir and the general public are welcomed each year. The evening was a sell-out with entertainment from the choir as well as individual performances. the committee would like to thank all those who contributed to a superb buffet to compliment an evening of light hearted music and fun.
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Photos by Elizabeth Williams
April, 2010: Spring Concert
Sunday, 25th April, the choir and orchestra performed Brahms "A German Requiem" at Christ Church, Carmarthen. The soloists were Aled Edwards, bass baritone, and Rebecca Mahon, soprano. The orchestra also performed Four Slavonic Dances by Antonin Dvorak.
Aled has sung with the choir and orchestra since their inception in 1994. He first came to national notice after a televised master-class given by the late Sir Geraint Evans and went on to win, among so many prizes, the Blue Riband in 1997.
Rebecca is studying Music, French and History at Llandovery College., At 17 she has already achieved much musically having sung with the Three Counties Youth College, the National Youth Choir of Wales and as soloist with the Chamber Choir of Llandovery. Following her performance at our Christmas Concert, 2009, we were delighted she could join us again.
Click here for events in 2009 and earlier
Introduction .>> Recent events
