Welcome to the Gower Festival

Celebrating 80 years since the end of World War 2, we recreate the famous dance and swing sensation that swept through the western world in the 1940s. The Jitterbug was banned in many music halls as being too exciting – “a morally dangerous American import”. Are you brave enough to come along to witness the spectacle, or even be part of it, and to enjoy the swinging jazzy music?

There’ll be dinner jazz whilst you dine, followed by a demonstration of the Jitterbug by our professional dancers, and then it’ll be your turn to take to the dance floor and have fun. On the other hand, just if you want to sit and tap your toes to the infectious sound of The Gower Festival Jitterbug Band.

Meals available to be ordered 6.30-7.30 served at your table. Bar open throughout.

Admired for his unfailingly communicative playing, Leon McCawley makes a welcome return to the Gower Festival. His programme includes Beethoven’s heroic ‘Waldstein’ Sonata, Chopin’s Barcarolle and pieces by Scarlatti and César Franck.

We welcome this exciting young quintet – violinists Huw Daniel, Kati Debretzeni and Debbie Diamond, cellist Kinga Gáborjáni and harpsichordist Tom Foster - on their first visit to Gower. Their programme ranges across Europe with music by Pachelbel, Vivaldi, Purcell, Boismortier and J.S. Bach.

Actress Alex Kingston, soprano Claire Booth and pianist Andrew Matthews-Owen explore the life and work of Jane Austen, born 250 years ago. Drama and comedy alternate with some of Jane’s favourite songs – by Mozart, Schubert, Handel and others.

Swansea-born Joe Dunthorne is a novelist and poet. His debut novel Submarine was made into a film, and his second book, Wild Abandon, won the Royal Society of Literature Encore Award. His dramatic portrait of Swansea, written for the 70th anniversary of Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood, was broadcast in 2024.

We look forward to an entertaining evening with tales from home and abroad.

Event is supported by professional BSL interpreter.

‘Wickedly funny’ Rainer Hersch is a comedian and musician who has performed on every major comedy stage in Britain and abroad – many times at the Edinburgh Festival, at London’s South Bank, on TV and in comedy clubs across Europe. A ‘comedy genius’ if ever there was one.

Swansea Bach Choir are faithful friends of the Gower Festival. Founded by John Hugh Thomas in 1965 and now directed by Greg Hallam, they will celebrate their 60th birthday by performing two masterpieces for unaccompanied voices: Vaughan Williams’s Mass in G minor and the Mass for Double Choir by Swiss composer Frank Martin.

We welcome this dynamic young ensemble on their first visit to Gower. Winners of the Royal Over-Seas League Mixed Ensemble Prize in 2023, Lumas are committed ambassadors for wind chamber music and the rich variety of repertoire that it offers. Opening with an Afro-Cuban concerto by Valerie Coleman, their programme includes pieces by Leonard Bernstein (West Side Story suite), Milhaud, Anton Reicha and Shostakovich. Colourful and witty music, not to be missed.

Ever since winning the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Young Artists Award in 2013 the Heath String Quartet has been admired as one of Britain’s most versatile groups. We welcome their return to Gower. This lunchtime concert begins with a beautiful piece by Anatoly Lyadov, whose music was admired by Tchaikovsky. Then a charming early Mozart quartet, followed by Beethoven’s last work for strings, the wonderful F major Quartet, Op. 135.

Andy Davies is an award-winning Welsh trumpeter, comedian, script writer, voice over artist, actor and educator. He has hosted the famous Wednesday night Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Jam Session for over thirteen years. ‘More fun than a barrel of monkeys’ (Evening Standard), he will be joined this evening by the well-known Dave Cottle Trio.

For their second concert the Heath Quartet offers a typically well-chosen programme. A neglected early work by Britten, his Three Divertimenti, and one of Haydn’s most elegant quartets are set alongside tuneful Czech music by Dvořák – his quartet in E flat, Op. 51 – and Josef Suk, Dvořák’s gifted son-in-law.

Spend an entertaining and informative evening with the renowned conductor Martyn Brabbins. He enjoys a busy and demanding international career and has close connections to Wales, especially Gower. Although often seen in the audience at GFS events - this time Griff Harries will put him in the glare of the spotlight. We will hear about his background, his heroes, his experiences and the trials and tribulations of wielding a baton in front of the world's finest musicians. There will be recorded examples and videos to watch - and a few surprises as well, as we gain unique insight into the world of this charismatic conductor.

Event is supported by professional BSL interpreter. Refreshments available.

Born in the Czech Republic and trained in Germany, Robert Bily was first prize-winner at the 2024 Vendome piano competition in New York, described by the Vendome’s artistic director as ‘one of our strongest winners ever’. For his debut in Gower Robert plays masterpieces by Beethoven (his Op. 110 Sonata), Prokoviev and Chopin. Chopin’s famous ‘Funeral March’ Sonata is followed by his second Scherzo, by turns brilliant and lyrical. A memorable conclusion to the 2025 Festival.