WITH ‘milestone’ birthdays approaching this month, retired but active local Anglican priest Richard Podger of Cantref and his daughter, Brecon’s violin superstar Rachel, thought it only natural to celebrate with music.
With Rachel’s friends and students forming a professional orchestra and her brother Julian, a tenor based in Vienna, bringing first-rate voices in to join leading local singers, a stellar cast was soon assembled for Brecon Cathedral on Sunday evening.
A large audience of friends and admirers gathered to hear four of JS Bach’s greatest cantatas, bringing together the composer and the faith at the heart of Rachel and Richard’s lives.
In musical contrast two haunting pieces composed by Julian for his father and sister, ‘Joy for Ever’ and ‘High Song for Strings’, showed the family performing together: Richard singing and on flute, Rachel singing as well as playing her violin, Julian conducting and singing, and for good measure wife and mother Heike singing soprano and son-in-law Tim and granddaughter Carys on viola.
The evening was an obvious joy for the family, performers and a very appreciative audience. Brecon is blessed to have such talent here.