Well, at the time of writing these few words, I have just returned from the last event in our 2026 Hay Music Festival which was the Fitzwilliam Quartet’s concert at the HayDay Café in Clyro where they played to around 60 disabled adults and carers who lapped up the fine playing of the quartet. A very fitting end to what I think has been our best ever Festival. There was no weak link over the whole weekend. The immaculate and very moving performance of Richard Schumann’s Piano Quintet was the main feature of the opening concert bringing the Fitzwilliam Quartet together with pianist Simon Callaghan - I can’t imagine how that piece could have been played any better. The young professionals of Sinfonia Cymru again wowed audiences at two concerts with their youthful joy in performing, the highlight for me being Olli Mustonen’s ‘Nonetto II’ written in 2000 for a nonet made up of a mixture of strings and winds. The audience loved it - who says ‘new’ music is difficult! Martin Litton pulled off a Jazz Coup when he brought together some of the best players he called the ‘Doctors of Jazz’ in Hay Castle, presented to a sold-out and enthusiastic audience. The composer, Nigel Osborne, who has used music as a therapy in war zones across the world, gave a fascinating and, at times, emotional talk with neuroscientist Professor Michael Trimble on ‘Music as Treatment’. The discussion, chaired by Christopher Best, was recorded and is available to download (see link below). The Festival ended with a wonderful concert given by the Fitzwilliam String Quartet featuring the world premiere of Nigel Osborne’s new string quartet; a very moving piece, based on songs written by injured and traumatised soldiers in Ukraine. Beethoven’s great A major late string quartet Op132 was the fitting end to the weekend, received with rapturous applause by a large audience in St Mary’s Church.
As well as the public concerts, a range of outreach events with local children formed a vital part of what Hay Music is all about.
Planning for our 2027 Festival is already well advanced and I am sure that will also be an experience not to be missed! The dates are 10 - 12 September 2027.
Mick Peake - Chair of Hay Music
Click the link above then in the ‘Hay Music Recording’ window click ‘Download File’. Wait a few seconds while it loads then open file to play.
For images of the weekend’s events by Steve Jones, our resident photographer, click the button below.