RESOUNDING ECHOES: From August 2022, Robert McCarney's regular series features little-known twentieth century classical composers.
British organist and conductor Geraint Bowen, son of Welsh tenor Kenneth Bowen, was born in London on 11 January 1963, and received his early musical education as a chorister at Hampstead Parish Church under Martindale Sidwell. He studied organ with Christopher Herrick and became organ scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge in 1982, later studying with John Scott and Stephen Cleobury. On leaving Cambridge in 1985 he held posts as assistant organist at St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin (1986-89) and at Hereford Cathedral (1989-94). From 1995 until 2001 he was organist and master of the choristers at St Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire, and artistic director of the St Davids Cathedral Festival.
In 2001 he took up the linked posts of organist and director of music at Hereford Cathedral, conductor of Hereford Choral Society and artistic director of the Hereford Three Choirs Festival. His work with the cathedral choir has included a CD recording of works by William Byrd, radio and television broadcasts, four tours of the USA and the introduction of an annual Holy Week performance of one of J S Bach's Passions. The choir has also performed Bach's Christmas Oratorio twice and is undertaking a cycle of liturgical performances of Haydn's last six masses. Bowen directed what was probably the cathedral's first performance of John Browne's Stabat Mater.
He has visited the USA several times to direct choral workshops and courses, and at the Three Choirs Festival has worked with many of the UK's leading orchestras, including the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Richly-designed and original - Roderic Dunnett looks forward to the Three Choirs Festival, 27 July - 4 August 2024 in Worcester, UK
Ensemble. A Massive and Moving Sound - Keith Bramich listens to Dvořák's Requiem at the first evening concert of the 2022 Three Choirs Festival in Hereford Cathedral
Ensemble. Very Convincing - Lucas Ball listens to Bach and Buxtehude at last month's Three Choirs Festival in Worcester UK
Ensemble. A Musical and Social Bonanza - Roderic Dunnett continues his in-depth review of this year's Three Choirs Festival in Hereford
Ensemble. A Natural Assurance - Monteverdi and Elgar from the Three Choirs Festival at Hereford impress Roderic Dunnett
Ensemble. An Absolute Triumph - Roderic Dunnett listens enraptured to Ireland and Smyth at the opening night of the 2018 Three Choirs Festival
Ensemble. Centres of Excellence - Roderic Dunnett looks back to the 2017 Three Choirs Festival at Worcester, and forward to 2018 in Hereford
Ensemble. The Treasured Crown - Roderic Dunnett reports in depth on last month's Three Choirs Festival at Gloucester
Ensemble. Quite Stunning - The 2015 Three Choirs Festival, enjoyed by Roderic Dunnett
Ensemble. Highly Successful - Roderic Dunnett looks back to Worcester's 2014 Three Choirs Festival, and forward to Hereford's Festival in July 2015
Ensemble. The Finest of Them All - The 2012 Hereford Three Choirs Festival, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett
Ensemble. Exciting Teamwork - Roderic Dunnett was in Worcester for the 2011 Three Choirs Festival
Ensemble. Sing ye to the Lord - Roderic Dunnett was at the 2009 Hereford Three Choirs Festival