John McCabe (21 April 1939 – 13 February 2015)

It is with great sadness that we report the death of celebrated composer and pianist John McCabe at the age of 75.

John held a long association with the Presteigne Festival as a vice-president and visited the Festival regularly as a performer. Over many years he featured as soloist in concertos by Judith Weir, Hindemith and Rawsthorne and gave regular chamber music concerts and piano recitals – his final recital was recorded ‘live’ at St Andrew’s Church in 2010 – and is available commercially on the Toccata Classics label.

The Presteigne Festival commissioned a number of works from him:
String Quartet No 7 ‘Summer eves’ (2012)
March Sonatina, for solo flute (2007)
Gladestry Quatrains, a song cycle for soprano and piano (2005)
Prelude to Messiah, Part Two (2002)
Cello Sonata (1999)

John was extremely popular with Presteigne audiences and artists alike; his knowledge of music and musicians both on and off the beaten track was encyclopedic and the support he showed for his fellow composers and other performing artists was without equal.

He was a hugely enthusiastic supporter of the Presteigne Festival and will be greatly missed by many. Our thoughts are with his widow Monica.