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News and Events
Monday, 17 April 2017

David recently made his fourth appearance at Carnegie Hall in New York, in a performance with a rather unique Welsh connection.

David recently travelled to the USA to be a featured artist in the prestigious New York International Music Festival on Tuesday 11th April, where he gave the world premiere of Bernard Kane's Seren WenConcerto for Euphonium, accompanied by the Gwent Youth Wind Orchestra, conducted by Sean O'Neil.

The trip saw David and the Gwent youngsters link up with the Welsh born composer who has worked with the likes of Quincy Jones, The Manic Street Preachers, Sir Karl Jenkins, Julian Lloyd-Webber and Michael Sheen, and whose previous commissions have included works for the Royal National Theatre, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Welsh Proms.

David commented:

"The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra premiered his 'Overture to Mr Dahl' at last year's 'Last Night of the Welsh Proms' and this was my introduction to his music and the ideal way to ask him to write a work for me.

'Seren Wen' — Welsh for 'White Star' — is inspired by the famous transatlantic shipping line and its iconic, but doomed flagship, RMS Titanic. Amazingly, its distress signal was first picked up and relayed to the world by an amateur radio enthusiast in Pontllanfraith (a few miles from David's home in south Wales), over 3,000 miles from where she hit the fateful iceberg.The story of the Titanic is the work's impetus, and its link to Wales is of particular significance given the performers involved.

It's wonderful that I'm able to give the premiere with the Gwent youngsters, and as the performance in New York will be Sean O'Neill's last as Head of Wind & Brass for Gwent Music Services. He retires at the end of this term, and the concert represents a wonderful way to bow out.They have worked tirelessly to raise the funds for the trip and gave a memorable performance before we left to family members in Newport."

Something of a Welsh showcase, other works on the programme included Gareth Wood's Salome and a new solo version of Paul Mealor's A Welsh Prayer.

It is the fourth time the Besson artist has performed at the iconic venue, and the fourth time this year that he has crossed the Atlantic for concert performances. On this trip he also gave a special masterclass at the Buffet Crampon Showroom off Broadway.


NY 1
David with Seren Wen composer Bernard Kane.

NY 2
Carnegie Hall.

NY 3
Masterclass participants at the Buffet Crampon USA showroom.

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