War & Peace

The evening opens with the delicate, neoclassical textures of Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin. You will hear a suite that looks back to eighteenth-century French dance forms, though its lighter surface masks a poignant tribute to those lost in the First World War. Following this, the mood shifts to the rugged, open-air melodies of Vaughan Williams’s Songs of travel. These settings follow a solitary wanderer, and you should listen for the persistent, walking rhythms in the accompaniment that underpin the baritone’s narrative. The second half of the concert features Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1, known as the Classical. It is a compact and playful work that mimics the style of Haydn but adds sharp, twentieth-century harmonic twists and sudden shifts in register. We can expect a performance that balances historical elegance with modern energy, moving from the pastoral and personal to a spirited, symphonic finale.

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales returns to Ceredigion under the direction of their Principal Conductor, Ryan Bancroft. The ensemble is celebrated for its versatility, acting as both a broadcast orchestra and a core pillar of the Welsh musical scene. Joining them is the baritone Steffan Lloyd Owen, a singer who has established a strong reputation for his sensitive interpretations of art song and operatic roles. Bancroft is known for his clear, energetic podium presence, often bringing a fresh perspective to the core orchestral repertoire through refined dynamics and rhythmic precision.

This performance takes place at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre and has a total duration of approximately 120 minutes, including an interval. The programme is particularly well-suited to those who have not attended an orchestral concert before, as the Prokofiev symphony is notably concise and accessible. There is no formal dress code for this event, and we suggest arriving in time to find your seat in the auditorium. The sung portions of the evening are in English, making the storytelling in the song cycle easy to follow.