The Incredible Max Baillie joins Sinfonia Cymru this June!
Press Release: 23.5.23Published Tuesday 23 May 2023
“Max Baillie’s gutsy viola playing is a delight.”
– Geoff Brown, The Times
“Gobsmacked! Incredible, Sinfonia Cymru. Can’t get my head around the amount of talent.”
– Audience Member, RWCMD Cardiff
Known as one of the most versatile musicians in the UK, pioneering violinist and viola player Max Baillie will be joining 13 incredible string players from Sinfonia Cymru, to perform a magical musical Odyssey in Cardiff, Gregynog and Theatr Clwyd this June.
Max Baillie is in great demand. Working in a multiple of genres from classical to collaborations with dancers and electronics, he has performed alongside guitarist John Williams and pop superstar Tinie Tempah and has appeared on stages from Moscow to Glastonbury! Having performed in Switzerland, Germany, Sweden and Norway over the past few weeks, Max is excited to be joining Sinfonia Cymru in Wales:
“I can’t wait to work with all the wonderful players from this dynamic ensemble in Wales; they are the future of live classical music, and it is always thrilling and challenging to be steering a vessel with such a crew – young, committed, hungry, and inspired.”
Entitled ‘A Folk Odyssey’, Baillie has curated what can only be described as an exhilarating musical journey for the audience. Expect a mix of old and new folk traditions from across the world, including a medley of folk tunes from Scandinavia, Germany and Wales with arrangements by Max and Sinfonia Cymru Creative Associate Simmy Singh. There will be a reimagining of Haydn’s ‘5ths’ Quartet for string ensemble, and the concert culminates with a tantalising medley of Bach’s chorales, excerpts from Grieg’s Holberg Suite and bluegrass, with Simmy Singh’s arrangement of the Punch Brothers tune Flippen (the Flip). Something for everyone!
“My programme with Sinfonia Cymru embraces something rootsy, born of the earth, yet there is some deeply spiritual music in it too – the slow movement of the much-loved Holberg Suite, for example, which is just sublime.”
Proud to be known for challenging the audience’s perception of orchestral music and ensuring that everyone in Wales can access high quality music, Sinfonia Cymru is currently touring to 22 community venues across Wales. This Mainly Village Halls Tour provides audiences of all ages with free concerts at the heart of their community. Never ones to stand still, they can’t wait to collaborate with Max Baillie this June.
Caroline Tress, Chief Executive of Sinfonia Cymru said:
“We are so looking forward to working with Max and pairing him with our wonderful string ensemble. We’re always pushing ourselves to do new things and perform with the most exciting musicians possible, ensuring people in Wales can experience vibrant world-class concerts. Max is a truly pioneering musician working internationally as a soloist and director with large ensembles, as well as smaller folk and classical groups. His passion for combining different styles of music from all over the world, old and new, is sure to create something truly special for our June 2023 tour!”
You can catch ‘A Folk Odyssey’ at:
– RWCMD, Cardiff on Friday 23rd of June
– Gregynog Hall, Tregynon on Saturday 24th of June
– The Mix @Theatr Clwyd on Sunday the 25th of June.
Tickets are on sale now sinfonia.cymru/whats-on
For further information, interviews, photographs or to arrange reviewers, please contact Heulwen Davies, Marketing Consultant at Sinfonia Cymru, on heulwen@llaiscymru.wales/ 07817 591930.