BBC National Orchestra of Wales

In the final programme of the Discovery and Innovation weekend, the Cardiff-based BBC National Orchestra of Wales take centre stage with music representing different sides of their multi-faceted character, ending with the 2016 first performance since its premiere 45 years before of Grace Williams' Missa Cambrensis. It's an epic work on an epic scale and it was a very special occasion for Welsh music. 2015 marked the 150th anniversary of the Welsh emigration to Patagonia, which the orchestra marked with a tour to South America and a series of special performances, including this one when harpist Catrin Finch was the soloist in Piazzolla's Libertango. Richard Hickox, BBC NOW's much-loved principal conductor is represented by one of the many commercial recordings he made with the orchestra and the programme begins with a short fizzing opener from Simon Holt, BBC NOW's Composer in Association from 2008 to 2014.

Introduced by Andrew McGregor.

Simon Holt: St. Vitus in the Kettle
BBC NOW
Thierry Fischer (conductor)

Frank Bridge: There is a willow grows aslant a brook
BBC NOW
Richard Hickox (conductor)

Grace Williams: Missa Cambrensis
Fflur Wyn (soprano)
Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo-soprano)
Andrew Rees (tenor), Jason Howard (bass)
Rowan Williams (narrator)
National Youth Choir of Wales, Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion, BBC National Chorus of Wales
BBC NOW
Tecwyn Evans (conductor)

Astor Piazzolla: Libertango
Catrin Finch (harp)
BBC NOW
Grant Llewellyn (conductor)