TWO WORLD acclaimed harpists are to link up at a special benefit concert to raise money for children with profound learning disabilities in war-torn Ukraine.
Veronika Lemishenko, who hails from Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, will play a number of solo pieces in the concert at Bangor University’s Powis Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, November 21 when she will also perform some duets with concert organiser Elinor Bennett.
“It will be an opportunity to hear a world-renowned harpist play in north Wales and is not to be missed,” said Elinor who studied with the late, great harpist Osian Ellis before going on to have a stellar career as a harpist and helping to found Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (Willliam Mathias Music Centre) in Caernarfon.
Also taking part in the concert will be young musicians from Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias, the Bangor University Chamber Choir conducted by Guto Puw and Côr Cofnod from Caernarfon.
It is one of a number of charity fund-raising concerts staged across Europe during 2024 by Veronika Lemishenko under the auspices of the Veronika Lemishenko Charitable Foundation which she set-up in her homeland nearly seven years ago.
Veronika’s mother, Alla, now lives in Gwynedd and teaches young musicians locally while her brother has moved to Italy. Her grandmother lives with her father in Lviv in western Ukraine
Elinor said: “Prior to the Russian military aggression of 2022, the foundation aimed to promote harp art in Ukraine by supporting talented Ukrainian harpists and composers.
“The foundation is also collaborating with the Glowing Harp – an international harp project, which includes a competition, festival, masterclasses, recitals and other musical events.”
Since the war started Veronika launched the fundraising campaign co-organised by her charitable foundation and Glowing Harp and about £34,000 has been raised so far.
Elinor explained: “All funds go to support Ukraine. The foundation accepts international donations and provides financial assistance to volunteer organizations, medical institutions, animal shelters, to purchase equipment.
“It is an extremely hard time for the education institutions in Kharkiv where it is impossible to have offline lessons without a fully equipped bomb shelter.
“Thanks to the Glowing Harp project 15 students aged from eight years old to 24 got a new place to continue their professional education in England, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, France and Canada,” she said.
Veronika Lemishenko is no stranger to north Wales. She has attended the Wales International Harp Festival staged at Galeri Caernarfon regularly since 2014 and has many friends in the area.
Elinor Bennett added: “Veronika says she feels very much at home in Wales. But of course since the Russian invasion life has been very hard for Ukrainians and the Lemishenko family are no exception.”
During the concert in Bangor Elinor and Veronika will perform a duet called Cambria by the Welsh harpist and composer John Thomas.
“His bardic name is Pencerdd Gwalia and he played both traditional Welsh triple harp and modern pedal harp and taught at the Royal College of music and Guildhall School of music in London when he was appointed harpist to Queen Victoria in 1872.
Elinor said: “Cambria is a harp duet based on several Welsh melodies including Gadlys, Y Ferch o’r Scêr and Tros y Garreg.”
Elinor said the other piece she will play with Veronika is Souvenir” by Ukranian composer Evgen Andreev.
She added: “He is a composer from Kharkiv and among his works are several compositions that have been performed by the young harpists worldwide.
Veronika said: “Evgen has a musical family – his wife is a violinist and both their children are students of the Kharkiv state musical lyceum. Lately the lyceum resumed their work but the education is online because of the high level of danger being very close to the frontline.”
The concert at Bangor University’s Powis Hall starts at 7.30pm on Thursday, November 21. Admission is free but a collection will be made at the end of the concert.
The work of one of Wales’s greatest composers will be celebrated at a concert to mark the 90th anniversary of his birth.
Professor William Mathias, who died aged 57 in 1992, won global acclaim during his lifetime and tribute will be paid to his musical legacy at the concert at Bangor University’s Neuadd Prichard Jones at 7.30pm on Saturday, November 2.
It’s a joint initiative between the School of Music at Bangor University, where he taught for 18 years, and Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre) and the Gwynedd and Anglesey Schools Music Service.
Prof Mathias, who was born in Whitland in Carmarthenshire, was a child prodigy who started playing the piano at three and was composing music by the age of five.
In 1981 he famously wrote the anthem, ‘Let the people praise thee, O God’, for the royal wedding of the then Prince Charles and Princess Diana which had a worldwide television audience of one billion people.
His lasting contribution also includes the North Wales International Music Festival which he founded in 1972 and is now one of the highlights in the UK’s cultural calendar.
The concert, that’s being supported by Tŷ Cerdd, will be an emotional occasion for his daughter, Dr Rhiannon Mathias, who is a musicologist, talented flautist and flute tutor at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias.
William Mathias with his wife, Yvonne, and daughter, Rhiannon
She said: “The idea of the concert came from the community and I think it is a marvellous way to mark what would have been his 90th birthday.
“The Prichard Jones Hall is a wonderful place to stage the concert as it was his place of work for many years and so many of his pieces have been played there.
“Many, many people will remember him being there for concerts and seeing him walk through. I can’t wait for the concert,” she said.
Rhiannon was invited to take part in the concert but thought it best to give her students the opportunity.
“Two of my students gained their performance diplomas this summer. To achieve this qualification they had to present a 30-minute recital and both chose one of my father’s pieces, the sonatina for flute and piano.”
Wyn Thomas, chair of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias, said the first half of the concert will feature solo pieces for organ, flute, harp and piano and choral works.
Among the solo artists taking part are harpist Angharad Wyn Jones, organist Elis Massarelli-Hughes, pianist Teleri Siân and flautists Gwenno Wyn and Christina Hutchinson-Rogers.
Choral items will be performed by Côr Dre from Caernarfon directed by Sian Wheway.
The climax of the evening will be a performance of Culhwch ac Olwen – a work for a choir and an instrumental ensemble and is based on a famous love story from the Mabinogion, the earliest Welsh prose stories from the 12th and 13th centuries.
“The aim of the occasion at the Prichard Jones Hall is to identify William Mathias’ special contribution to Welsh music. November 1st would be Mathias’ 90th birthday and so the event is timely,” said Mr Thomas.
Tudur Eames, director of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Schools Music Service, who will conduct the work in the concert, said William Mathias referred to Culhwch ac Olwen as an ‘entertainment’.
“It’s not an opera, a cantata or an oratorio but a combination of several musical elements that illustrate the legend including a storyteller, instruments, accompaniment of two pianos and children’s voices,” he said.
Wyn Thomas added: “He was a prolific composer and a versatile musician. He produced pieces for solo instruments, wind ensembles and , concertos but his main interest was choral/vocal music.
“Mathias built a Music Department in Bangor which was among the best in the British Isles and secured the respect and admiration of generations of future students and fellow musicians.
“Many of us are indebted to Mathias for first class musical training and as a result his former pupils are seen active in the music world here in Wales, in Britain, the United States and beyond.”
The concert at Neuadd Prichard Jones, Bangor on November 2 starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12 and £10 or £5 for students and children. Further details online at www.cgwm.org.uk
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias is keen to appoint an enthusiastic and reliable individual who has strong interpersonal skills to work as a part-time receptionist at the Centre’s main office in Galeri, Caernarfon.
We are currently looking for an individual to work 16 hours a week (term time only) with the possibility of additional shifts from time to time. The shifts will usually be 5-6 hours in length and will be a combination of daytime and evening hours.
Application by letter and CV including contact details of two referees. Address your application to Gwydion Davies and email to gwydion@cgwm.org.uk
The founder of an international harp festival will be signing off in style with a long goodbye.
Renowned harpist Elinor Bennett will be centre stage at a special concert to launch the Wales International Harp Festival next spring.
The launch concert will be taking place at the Pritchard Jones Hall at Bangor University at 7.30pm on Saturday, October 22, celebrating 55 years of performing by Elinor and the 100th anniversary of the university’s School of Music.
Other highlights will include performances from tenor Aled Wyn Davies, soprano Mary Lloyd Davies, flautist Rhiannon Mathias and the Côr Seiriol choir.
It will feature pieces played over the years by Elinor, who has been the festival’s Artistic Director since 1978 and also signal the end of her tenure in the post.
After the launch, Elinor will embark on a tour 12 concerts and masterclasses across Wales where she will be playing with different harpists – most of whom she has taught – at each venue.
The aim of the tour is to drum up interest in the harp among young musicians and encourage harpists of all ages to compete at next year’s festival.
Approaching a significant birthday next April, Elinor, who lives in Bontnewydd near Caernarfon with her husband, former Plaid Cymru President Dafydd Wigley, said it was time to step back and allow someone else to take over the reins.
Looking forward to the launch concert, she said: “There’s a varied programme which I hope will appeal to everyone and also raise awareness of the harp festival itself.
“This will be my last harp festival, I’m not going to do any more organising after this one and the baton will be passed onto someone else.
“I don’t know who yet but there are many, many people who have the ability to take it on but I want to go out with a bit of a bang.”
Elinor will play the famous Concerto for Harp by Handel with the Bangor University Ensemble and the programme will also feature The North Wales Harp Ensemble, conducted by Tudor Eames who was a pupil of Elinor.
Meanwhile, the Gwynedd & Anglesey Youth Brass Band will perform alongside the Society of Triple Harpists and Côr Seiriol .
Elinor added: “The artistes taking place have some connection with myself over the years. I’m pleased that Aled Wyn Davies, the acclaimed tenor, from Llanbrynmair. His grandparents once lived in the farm where my parents lived.
That is under Llyn Clywedog now but I was able to go down there with Aled in the summer after the water levels dropped and was able to see the building again. So he’s coming to sing and that will be lovely.
“Soprano Mary Lloyd Davies is from Llanuwchllyn where I spent a large part of my childhood.
“The other soloists are Mared Emlyn who will play a concerto by Debussy on the harp and flautist Rhiannon Mathias. She is of course the daughter of William Mathias and the connection with him is very important.”
She said the programme is varied because her career has been quite varied ranging from classical performances as a soloist and with orchestras to accompanying rock musicians on various albums.
“I wanted it to be as varied and as accessible as it was possible to be,” said Elinor.
The pre-festival tour called Dwylo ar Dannau’r Delyn (Hands on Harp Strings) will include masterclasses conducted by Elinor and some of her ex-students and colleagues, held in community locations throughout Wales, to promote the festival and re-ignite interest in harp music following the Covid pandemic.
The fifth Wales International Harp Festival will bring together leading exponents of the instrument from around the world to Galeri Caernarfon from April 5-11, 2023.. Organised by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre), it will feature concerts, masterclasses, workshops and lecture recitals.
According to Elinor, performances will be given by world-class artistes representing various aspects of the harp spectrum.
“The Latin-American harpist from Colombia, Edmar Castaneda, will share a concert with Welsh harpist, Catrin Finch.
The great French artist, Isobel Moretti, returns to Caernarfon to perform the classics of the French harp repertoire. It will be wonderful to welcome back the iconic Deborah Henson-Conant from the USA, to present a jazz and improvisation evening in her own inimitable way.
“Retiring President of the United Kingdom Harp Association, Sioned Williams, will present a lecture-recital on John Thomas, Pencerdd Gwalia, a composition workshop will be given by John Metcalf,
“The festival commission is a new work, entitled Llechi (Slate), by harpist and composer, Math Roberts, with poetry by Wales’ National Poet, Ifor Ap Glyn.
“Written for a chamber ensemble and vocal soloists, it will celebrate the unique culture of the slate-mining areas of Gwynedd, recently awarded World Heritage Status by UNESCO,” said Elinor.
Harpists are also invited to take part in four competitions at the festival, with the aim of giving children and older harpists a platform to perform, receive comments from internationally esteemed harpists and make friends with young musicians from other parts of the world.
The closing date for applications for the competitions is January 2, 2023
“From the Chief Musician competition to the young harpists’ section, there are opportunities for many varied styles and genres, including the World Music competition on any kind of harp from Celtic to Triple and Kora to pedal..
“Participants in each of the four categories are encouraged to create their own choice of programmes, and include one or two items listed in the published syllabus.
Elinor said: “In the youth and children competitions, equal scholarships will be awarded for the three top performances, to help talented young harpists to receive continuing expert tuition.
The Wales International Harp Festival team is extremely grateful for the support given by Camac Harps and Telynau Vining and for sponsorship from many funding bodies including the Arts Council of Wales, Ty Cerdd and Colwinston Charitable Trust and invites anyone interested in sponsoring scholarships and prizes at the Festival to get in touch.
“Please join us over Easter in Caernarfon for a joyful and enriching experience.”
Details about the launch concert, the tour and the competitions are available on the Festival website www.walesharpfestival.co.uk
Great to see that two of our talented alumni students, Gwenno Morgan and Patrick Rimes will be taking part in this special event…
Four World Premiers by Beethoven, ap Sion, Puw and Rimes
Tregaron National Eisteddfod 2022
At the turn of the nineteenth century, George Thomson, a Scottish publisher sent a number of Welsh, Irish and Scottish folk song to the German composer, Ludwig van Beethoven. He sent others to Franz Joseph Haydn. Thomson was also a musician and friendly with the poet Robert Burns. Around 1809, Beethoven began setting these folk songs for Thomson who subsequently published them. They were scored for voice and piano trio in the typical style of the Classical period. The astonishing fact was that Beethoven composed 179 of these arrangements from the three above countries, more than any other genre of his oeuvre.
It was hoped that these would have come to light in 2020, celebrating 250 years since Beethoven’s birth year, but covid intervened. The project was then postponed until 2022 and slightly revamped. Other Welsh contemporary composers were invited to contribute. “O Dresden i Dregaron” (From Dresden to Tregaron); from Germany to Wales, will now include four world premiers by Beethoven, Pwyll ap Sion, Guto Puw and Patrick Rimes. Two arrangements by Haydn will also be performed and one by Sioned Webb, first performed by the soprano Elin Manahan Thomas and the European Union Chamber Orchestra. Dafydd Idris, the folk singer from Pontypridd will sing the folk song in their familiar unaccompanied versions. The tenor is the local and internationally acclaimed operatic singer Robyn Lyn Evans and the trio will consist of Gwenno Morgan (piano), Patrick Rimes (violin), Jordan Williams (cello) and Sioned Webb (piano). The performance will take place in the Babell Lên on the 1Eisteddfod field at Tregaron on Monday evening, August 1st at 7.30pm.
The evening’s producer and co-ordinator is the musician and radio presenter Sioned Webb.
A musical pensioner has added another string to his bow by passing his grade 8 cello exam at the age of 74.
Desmond Burton gave up the instrument as a child but decided to pick it up again half a century later after retiring from his job as an English language tutor at Bangor University.
Aged 67, he restarted lessons with tutor Nicki Pearce at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre) in Caernarfon.
He passed the highest possible grade with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music with flying colours, earning compliments from the examiner who said it was a privilege to listen to him playing.
His rediscovered talent with the bow has led him to join the Caernarfon Community Orchestra which was established by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias to encourage music making amongst adults with any level of experience on their instrument.
The centre provides high quality instrumental and voice lessons to hundreds of people on a range of instruments, as well as organising a variety of community events throughout Wales.
While the majority of the students are of school age, Desmond is one of over 50 adult learners who attend weekly lessons at either Galeri Caernarfon or their satellite centres in Denbigh and Pwllglas, near Ruthin.
Desmond has also been able to play in chamber ensembles organised by the music centre.
Encouraged by his daughter Carolyn, a talented violinist, they enjoy informal music sessions with his guitar-playing wife, Porjai, at their home in Menai Bridge.
He said: “Many people think I’m mad taking these exams, why should I put this extra stress on myself but you don’t have to do. Many people who have joined the orchestra at the Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias do so just to enjoy themselves making music.
“I’m quite competitive and I love to set myself a challenge and in taking an exam you learn to play pieces to a very high standard and that’s what I wanted to do.”
Desmond, originally from Lichfield in Staffordshire, had cello lessons at school as a teenager but did not take any exams at that stage. The instrument his father bought for him from a member of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra when he was 12 or 13 lay idle to gather dust and was not played for more than 50 years.
He added: “When I retired from Bangor University seven years ago, I had more time to take up something and it seemed appropriate to take cello lessons. I never took it very seriously as a child, so I thought I should come back and try a bit harder.
“Musical instruments are not cheap and I already had a cello. It is quite a good cello, an early nineteenth century instrument from Germany and I’m still playing it. I’ve had to put new strings on it and buy a new bow because it had been idle for so many years but it’s still a very good cello, I’ve no intention of changing it.
“Nicki is a brilliant teacher. She is so patient and is quickly able to sort out any problems I might have. She is inspirational. I would not have been able to pass the exams without her. It’s as much her Grade 8 as mine,” he added.
Desmond’s daughter Carolyn, who studied music at Birmingham University and now works for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, said words could not describe how proud she was of her Dad.
She said: “I was very supportive when he picked up the cello again after he retired. He really loves playing the cello and I’ve been happy to help him in preparing for the various exams he has taken.”
“I’m very proud that he has passed so many and reached the highest grade. I hope this will inspire others to take up a musical instrument whatever their age,” she added.
Tutor Nicki said: “Desmond is such a delight to teach. He comes to his weekly lessons and he’s always prepared. Even if there’s something tricky, he’ll always put himself to it and he’s an inspiration.
Picture: Rick Matthews
“Examiners don’t always write extra comments on their reports but on Desmond’s report there was a comment that said it was a genuine privilege to listen to him playing.
“He just goes to show that it doesn’t matter at what point in life you do things like these exams, you can do them.
She added: “We’re now actively looking for more members for the community orchestra. It is a great way for adults who have maybe not touched their instruments for years to pick it up again and have a go in a friendly and supportive environment,” she added.
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias director Meinir Llwyd Roberts said: “People may think music lessons are for children and young people only but there is a welcome for all ages at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias – it’s never too late to start lessons. The number of adults receiving one-to-one lessons has increased over recent years, which is very good news.
“The lockdown caused the doors to close for a while and forced us into other ways of working, mostly online, but things have restarted in earnest now and it is great to see the full orchestra back in rehearsal. Anyone can join no matter their experience and the emphasis is very much on enjoying making music.”
The Caernarfon Community Orchestra, organised by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias, meets on Tuesday evenings, normally from 8pm-9.30pm at Theatr Seilo in Caernarfon. More information online at www.cgwm.org.uk or call 01286 685230.
A giant bust of Beethoven is wowing visitors to an arts centre – and heading for the record books.
The huge pȃpier-maché and timber sculpture at Galeri in Caernarfon is believed to be the world’s biggest version of the stellar composer’s head.
The massive model, 5ft 6ins tall and weighing in at five stone, was made for the International Piano Festival that’s dedicated this year’s event to a belated celebration to mark the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth
Organised by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre) every four years, the festival showcases recitals by professional musicians, and hosts prestigious piano competitions – with prizes totalling nearly £10,000.
Originally scheduled to take place in 2020, it had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and is now taking place between October 15 and 18.
But organisers are continuing with their tribute to the German music icon whose works rank among the most performed in the world.
The hypnotic installation was created by acclaimed North Wales artist Catrin Williams and her husband Bedwyr ab Iestyn who also used wire and recycled materials to make it.
With eerily dark eyes and wildly dishevelled hair, it hangs from the main foyer ceiling at Galeri where it is already causing a sensation.
It was nearly two years in the making, created during the height of the pandemic and national lockdowns and took up most of the couple’s garage at their home in Pwllheli.
Catrin said: “It was an unusual time, and we came to have quite a strange relationship with this giant figure in our garage. He was part of our ‘lockdown bubble’.
She said: “I painted it in the garden during fine weather over summer and it caused intense curiosity among our neighbours who could see it from their bedroom windows. They must’ve wondered what on earth was going on.”
International concert pianist Iwan Llewelyn-Jones who is the piano festival’s artistic director said the sculpture is unique.
He said: “Artistically it is like a Damian Hurst style experience, a little bit scary, but you just can’t take your eyes off it. That is exactly how we wanted it when we asked Catrin to do her magic.
“Beethoven had a tormented life, being a magnificent composer but suffering the torture of going deaf early in adulthood. We wanted the statue to convey some of that torment.”
Iwan and Catrin have also been leading creative workshops in local schools, linking art and music interpretation.
Iwan said: “The goal of our piano festival is to focus on three areas – performance, competition and education. There has always been a rich culture of music and music education in Wales and through our community outreach projects we aim to build on this, helping nurture an interest in music among pupils from an early age.”
During the workshops at Ysgol Llanrug, Caernarfon, and Ysgol Glancegin, Bangor, Iwan played played Beethoven works and Catrin led an arts session in which Year five pupils interpreted the music through drawing.
A large paper canvas was laid across the floor and children used ink pots, paints and other colouring materials to intuitively create original designs.
Ysgol Llanrug teacher Alaw Tecwyn said it was a delight to welcome Catrin and Iwan into school after so many months when they have had to forgo music lessons and group singing due to pandemic restrictions.
She said: “To have the sound of live music in our hall again and see pupils so inspired is heart-warming. It brings a sense of normality back into school.”
A graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, Alaw is an accomplished operatic singer and teaches music. At the end of the arts session she sang a soprano solo piece for the group, the Meirion Williams composition, Mai, accompanied by Iwan on piano.
Two other schools, Ysgol Cybi, of Holyhead, and Ysgol Edmund Prys, of Blaenau Ffestiniog, were also involved in outreach projects developed by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias with funding from Arts and Business Cymru’s Culture Step programme in support of the partnership with Roberts of Portdinorwic who are sponsoring the main prize at the Festival. This project will culminate with a virtual concert on the theme of Saint Saen’s Carnival of the Animals, featuring musicians Elin Taylor on cello, Teleri-Sian on piano and Glian Llwyd also on piano.
The concert will be available to watch online on Sunday October 17, at 6.30pm, as part of the festival’s hybrid format devised to adhere to pandemic social distancing.
Other concerts available to view online feature top classical musicians including globally famous Wrexham-born piano maestro and Beethoven specialist Llyr Williams. He headlines the festival opening night concert, streamed on Friday, October 15.
Also on the virtual programme is a concert of chamber music by violinist Sara Trickey, cellist Sebastian van Kuijk and Iwan Llewelyn-Jones, and world premieres of four newly commissioned works by prominent Welsh composers Pwyll ap Sion, Joseph Davies, Sarah Lianne Lewis and Bethan Morgan-Williams featuring Soprano Alys Roberts.
In addition audiences are invited to Galeri to watch live as a series of thrilling competitions take place. There will be 16 competitions in each of three categories for junior solo pianists, senior solo pianists, and accompanists. Competitors include talented young pianists from different corners of the world with the potential to be big names of the future.
There will also be an opportunity to enjoy live performances in Galeri’s atrium by duo Sian James and Sioned Webb and CGWM alumni student Gwenno Morgan.
Organisers emphasised that it would not be possible to stage the festival without support from its sponsors including the Arts Council of Wales, Bangor University, Colwinston Trust, Foyle Foundation, Gwynedd Council, Pendine Park care organisation via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust, Roberts of Portdinorwic, Ty Cerdd, Snowdonia Fire Protection, A&B Cymru and several individual donors.
For more details about the festival timetable, to order virtual concert tickets or find out how to sponsor a note visit www.pianofestival.co.uk
World renowned pianist Llyr Williams will headline a virtual concert at a top festival.
The Wrexham-born maestro will perform works by Beethoven, Chopin and Schubert on a stunning new Steinway piano for the Wales International Piano Festival.
It will be the first time the classical music star has appeared at the festival which is held every four years, organised by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre), Caernarfon.
The event showcases recitals by outstanding professional musicians as well as hosting prestigious piano competitions – with prizes this year totalling nearly £10,000.
Despite 18 months of logistical setbacks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2021 festival has attained a full complement of competition entrants.
There will be16 competitors in each of three categories for junior solo pianists, senior solo pianists, and accompanists. It is one of only a handful of festivals in the world which includes an accompanist category.
This year the festival takes on a hybrid format with the evening concerts pre-recorded and streamed online, while competitions and other events will happen live at Galeri Caernarfon.
Organisers say it would not be possible to put on the festival without the support of the sponsors which include the Arts Council of Wales, Colwinston Trust, Foyle Foundation, Gwynedd Council, Pendine Park care organisation via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust, Roberts of Portdinorwic, Ty Cerdd, Snowdonia Fire Protection, A&B Cymru and several individual donors.
The Llyr Williams concert has been recorded in advance and will be streamed online on the October 15 to open the festival.
Music lovers will be able to buy tickets to watch the virtual recital on the festival’s website www.pianofestival.co.uk which will be available to view for 24 hours.
Llyr is a globally acclaimed performer and a specialist in Ludwig van Beethoven works with several of the composer’s complete sonata cycles under his belt. He has performed at iconic venues including Carnegie Hall, New York, and Wigmore Hall, London.
His affinity with Beethoven’s music fits in perfectly with the Wales International Piano Festival 2021’s central theme, paying homage to Beethoven and his considerable legacy. Llyr’s programme will include Beethoven’s Sonata Opus 31, no 3 (The Hunt), and Frédéric Chopin’s majestic ‘Funeral March’ Sonata.
Iwan Llewelyn-Jones, the festival’s Artistic Director, said: “Llyr is an extraordinary musician and a consummate performer and we are delighted to welcome him to the 2021 festival.
The concert was recorded at Bangor University’s Powis Hall with Llyr performing on the magnificent new Steinway concert grant piano recently purchased by the university.
After recording, Llyr described the Steinway as remarkable: “It really draws out all the different colours of the music.”
The festival was originally due to be staged in May 2020 to mark the year of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth in December 1770.
But due to the effects of global pandemic lockdowns and concert venue closures worldwide it had to be postponed twice
Iwan said: “After the uncertainties of the last 18 months and the ongoing pandemic situation we made the bold decision to adopt a hybrid format. It means people will be able to enjoy watching these magnificent performances online from the comfort of their own homes.”
Llyr said: “I feel honoured to be helping to mark the two and a half centuries which have passed since Beethoven’s birth, and especially so as we didn’t get to celebrate as fully as he deserved last year which was the actual 250th anniversary year.”
Also on the festival’s virtual programme is a concert of chamber music with a performance of Beethoven’s Archduke Trio by Sara Trickey (violin), Sebastian van Kuijk (cello) and Iwan Llewelyn-Jones.
Soprano Alys Roberts, will join them to give the world premieres of four newly commissioned works by the prominent Welsh composers Pwyll ap Sion, Joseph Davies, Sarah Lianne Lewis and Bethan Morgan-Williams.
Using traditional Welsh music and literature and drawing inspiration from Beethoven, the composers have created highly evocative works that explore time and place with atmosphere and drama.
The final evening concert will see a performance of French composer Camille Saint-Saens’ iconic masterpiece Carnival of the Animals which also provides the inspiration for community outreach projects and school workshops which the festival team is undertaking in the run up to the main weekend.
Further details of how to view the three virtual concerts can be found on the festival website, www.pianofestival.co.uk
In the piano competitions entrants have their sights on a top prize of £700 in the junior category, £3,000 in the senior and £1,500 in the accompanist category.
Catrin Morris Jones, who is one of the administrative team organising the festival, said “We look forward to welcoming the competitors to Galeri Caernarfon and it will also be possible for members of the public to come to watch the competitions. Final timetable and details will be announced on the website soon.”
: “It has been a challenging 18 months but we are determined to deliver a fantastic festival. We have some money left to raise in order to reach our fundraising target and we have set up forms on our website for people to take part in Sponsor a Note – which is basically sponsoring us via choosing your favourite piano key.”
For more details about the festival timetable, to order tickets or find out how to sponsor a note visit www.pianofestival.co.uk
It was with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Charli Britton.
Charli made a huge contribution to Welsh pop music as a drummer with rock band Edward H Dafis and several other bands.
We are extremely grateful to him for sharing his passion and expertise with dozens of young aspiring drummers from North West Wales through his work as a tutor at the Canolfan for 15 years. He was a kind and popular tutor who inspired his students.
He was also a very talented graphic designer who was responsible for designing several of the Canolfan’s marketing materials. Always willing to go the extra mile and a pleasure to work with.
He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace Charli and thank you.
2019-2020 has been another busy year for CGWM and it was wonderful to celebrate twenty years since the Centre opened its doors by inviting some of our past and present pupils to mark the occasion at a special concert in Galeri.
After our highly successful Piano day last year we were determined not to let the current situation with Covid-19 defeat us, so we moved this year’s Piano Day on-line. The response was very encouraging with 65 performances given by pianists of all standard and ages, not only from the UK but as far afield as Germany and Thailand. The repertoire performed ranged from Classical and Romantic pieces to Jazz, Ragtime & Blues and 20th Century.
Our esteemed panel of piano experts, Dafydd Meurig Thomas, Gwawr Owen and Evgenia Startseva gave constructive feed-back to all the performers. Evgenia reflected that “it was an enormous pleasure and enjoyable experience. The performers were really impressive.”
The feedback from parents and performers was most enthusiastic with many positive observations:
“Thank you very much for the opportunity for our children to play in the Piano Day and get such useful and confidence boosting feedback!”
“It’s so important for these pianists to have the opportunity to perform beyond a competitive atmosphere, and for that we appreciate the Day immensely.”
“The Piano Day has been a very rewarding experience with a very homely feel even though it was on ZOOM – thank you for all your hard work.”
We had a very informative and enlightening ‘Question and Answer’ session during the afternoon which elicited the following comment from an audience member:
“I thoroughly enjoyed the Q & A session. One can often feel isolated as a tutor and I firmly believe that such sessions, where problems can be aired and good practices shared, are of enormous benefit to many of us.
We are delighted to have created this wonderful on-line community of pianists, parents, and teachers and look forward to planning many more events of this nature in the near future.
It is with sadness and regret that we wish to record the death of harpist and scholar, Osian Gwynn Ellis at the age of 92. He was a great friend and supporter of the work of the William Mathias Music Centre and the Wales International Harp Festival & he will be sorely missed.
A native of Ffynnongroyw, Flintshire, Osian was brought up in Denbigh, the son of the Rev. T.G. Ellis, a Wesleyan minister, and his first harp teacher was Alwena Roberts (‘Telynores Iâl’). As a child, he sang and performed with his mother and other members of his family, in concerts throughout Wales.
Following a period studying the harp with Gwendolen Mason at the Royal Academy of Music (London), he succeeded his teacher as harp Professor at the institution from 1959 until 1989. Early in his career, he appeared in popular television programmes on BBC Wales, and gave numerous performances of poetry and music with actors such as Dame Peggy Aschcroft, Dame Sybil Thorndyke, Cecil Day-Lewis, Hugh Griffith and Richard Burton.
As the most prominent & outstanding harpist of his time, as harp teacher, composer, arranger, penillion singer and scholar, he contributed widely to the nation’s traditional music as well as to developments in the European classical music of his day. In his numerous recordings with Sain, Philips, Lyrita, Meridian and Decca, he highlighted the varied harp repertoire, including 18th, 19th and 20th century Welsh compositions. He travelled extensively during his career, promoting the harp and the music of Wales on all four continents.
Osian Ellis was Principal Harpist of the London Symphony Orchestra from 1961, and worked with the eminent conductors of the time, such as Pierre Monteux, Pierre Boulez, Colin Davis, Antal Dorati, André Previn and Claudio Abbado. He was a regular soloist with the LSO and, as the founding harpist of the Melos Ensemble, his recording of Ravel’s Introduction et Allegro won the Grand Prix du Disque in Paris in 1962.
From the early ’60s, he worked & collaborated with the renowned English composer, Benjamin Britten, & Osian played in several performances and recordings at the Britten Festival (Aldeburgh). This partnership resulted in the harp gaining its place in several of Britten’s works – including, the War Requiem (1962), Midsummer Night’s Dream, Curlew River (1964), The Prodigal Son (1968) and his most important harp work, Suite for Harp (1969).
From 1973 – 1980, following Benjamin Britten’s illness, Osian Ellis performed many concerts with Peter Pears (tenor), and several new works were written for them. He later performed with his son, the late Tomos Ellis (tenor), giving several performances in Wales and overseas.
Osian Ellis encouraged many contemporary composers from Wales & further afield to write new works for harp – including, William Mathias, Alun Hoddinott, Rhian Samuel, David Wynne, Malcolm Arnold, Robin Holloway, Elizabeth Machonchy, William Alwyn, Carlo Menotti and Jorgen Jersild.
As a scholar, he published several seminal works on the history of the harp in Wales, the Robert ap Huw Manuscript, John Parry (Ruabon) and Cerdd Dant. His volume, The Story of the Harp in Wales, was published by the University of Wales Press (Cardiff) and he contributed to a myriad of television and radio programmes in Wales and London.
He was a member of the executive committee of the Welsh Folk Song Society and Cymdeithas Cerdd Dant Cymru. He received numerous honours from the University of Wales, Bangor University as well as from the nation’s leading musical institutions and a CBE from the Queen. As a harp teacher, he influenced generations of aspiring musicians and harpists, including Elinor Bennett and Sioned Williams.
After celebrating his 90th birthday, he was further inspired to compose two new works: ‘Cylch o Alawon Gwerin Cymru’ (for Bryn Terfel and Hannah Stone) and his work for solo harp, ‘Lachrymae’.
We extend our deepest condolences to his son, Richard Llywarch, daughter-in-law Glynis, and grandchildren David and Katie in their sadness.
A switch to online classes because of the covid crisis has enabled an acclaimed music centre in North Wales to provide lessons around the world.
Among the tutors at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre), which has bases in Caernarfon, Denbigh and Ruthin, is internationally renowned harpist Elinor Bennett who is now teaching one of her young protégés 7,500 miles away in the Welsh colony of Patagonia in Argentina.
The long-distance tutoring through the medium of Welsh is a dream come true for talented teenage harpist Helen Green who loves the lessons with her music idol.
The centre has managed to continue to conduct 65 per cent of its one to one lessons since the coronavirus pandemic struck.
Within a week of going into lockdown in March, the lessons moved online – something that also allowed the centre to extend its reach well beyond its traditional heartland.
Some face-to-face lessons have now resumed but centre director Meinir Llwyd Roberts revealed the virtual lessons are here to stay for those who are unable to attend lessons in person.
That’s music to the ears of 15-year-old Helen who said: “I feel so lucky that we have the technology to do this. To have Elinor as my mentor is a real privilege, a chance to learn so much. It’s the second-best thing to having her in the room. She’s an extraordinary teacher, an amazing harpist.”
The trans-Atlantic connection is one of the remarkable achievements secured by centre which is working hard to keep music lessons available and its teachers in work through the pandemic.
The live lessons take place online through the video communications platform Zoom.
Elinor said she immensely looks forward to the fortnightly lessons with Helen and enjoys catching up with news in ‘beautiful Patagonia’ which she has visited three times.
She said: “The miracles of modern technology have been hugely beneficial during this difficult period for musicians worldwide.
“Despite this we’ve struck up an exciting connection which Helen and I look forward to every two weeks.
“It takes great preparation on both sides to make it work and we have to factor in the three hour time difference but so far the lessons are going fantastically well.”
Elinor holds an OBE and has performed with the English Chamber Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra, as well as giving regular recitals on BBC radio and television. Her past students include the former Royal harpist Catrin Finch, now a renowned classical musician who was official harpist to Prince Charles from 2000-2004.
Elinor said she would not be able to mentor Helen so easily without help from Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (CGWM) of which she is a long-standing supporter.
CGWM was established in 1999 to improve access to instrumental and singing lessons for the North Wales community and provide a work outlet for self-employed music teachers.
It encompasses 42 freelance tutors who offer individual and group tuition to more than 500 people on a weekly basis across the board from pre-school to pension ages.
These are normally in-person activities at Galeri Caernarfon, or satellite centres at Theatr Twm o’r Nant, Denbigh, and Capel Tabernacl, Ruthin and in the wider community.
Face to face activities were put on hold during the summer lockdown and recent Wales firebreak. But helped by funds from the Arts Council of Wales’ stabilisation fund made possible by The National Lottery, and the willingness of tutors to adapt, most of its music projects were transferred online
CGWM director Meinir Llwyd Roberts said: “There’s no question we’ve faced unprecedented obstacles sustaining musical education provision during the pandemic, but we’ve succeeded in adapting all our regular projects to offer some online provision. It’s opened our eyes to opportunities for using this as a method of delivering activities in the future.
“Face-to-face lessons are the best option and we can’t wait to be able to return all our projects face to face but in some circumstances where this isn’t possible the online facility is a great alternative option. We’ll be continuing to offer it in the long term, post pandemic.”
“One only has to look at the remarkable example of Elinor and Helen to see how music education really can transcend boundaries whether they be geographical, physical or emotional.”
Elinor was put in contact with Helen and her music loving family by another of her former students Esyllt Roberts de Lewis, who grew up in Wales but moved to Patagonia to teach.
After they met Esyllt recognised Helen had great potential and would benefit from more advanced tutoring. Esyllt contacted Elinor to ask if she could recommend a good mentor and was thrilled when Elinor took on board the task herself.
Helen and her mum, a violinist, were delighted.
Elinor said: “Helen is such a keen, self-motivated student, a real pleasure to work with. She was improving noticeably after just five sessions and is currently preparing to join a virtual online performance with other CGWM students. We’re hopeful of arranging it soon. She has also taken part in a music festival in Buenos Aires.”
Patagonia is a Welsh-language colony on Argentina’s border with Chile first inhabited by Welsh settlers in the 19th century. It is the only part of the world other than Wales where Welsh is commonly spoken. Helen lives in Gaiman, near Trelew, in the Chubut area.
After over 6 months of not delivering face-to-face activities we are delighted to announce that one-to-one lessons have resumed face to face at our Centres in Galeri Caernarfon, Denbigh and Ruthin for tutors and students who wish to return to face to face lessons. We continue to organise online lessons for those who prefer to stay online.
We have taken a number of steps to ensure that the lessons are delivered as safely as possible and to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19 including :
• Only using rooms that allow a minimum distance of 2 meters between pupil and tutor (at least 3 meters for voice, woodwind and brass lessons). • Invest in transparent screens which are placed between tutor and pupil.
• Installation of hand sanitizing stations throughout our teaching areas. • Take the temperature of pupils and tutors before they go into their lessons • In addition to a Covid-19 risk assessment and policy we have drawn up rules for tutors and pupils which are shared with them before they return to face to face lessons. • Keep detailed records to comply with Test, Trace and Protect requirements
Anyone interested in starting instrumental or vocal lessons at our Centres or online are welcome to contact us to discuss possibilities.
We do not currently carry out any face-to-face group activities but we are extremely grateful to the Arts Council of Wales for the financial support which has enabled us to run a number of virtual activities to keep in touch with our audiences, reach new people and provide work for our free-lance tutors. This includes:
Theory Lessons – We are currently running theory lessons for school age students in small groups over Zoom. Sessions for students from beginner level up to grade 5 are currently available.
Camau Cerdd / Steps in Music : Music sessions suitable for children 6 months-3yrs and 4-7 years. Since April we have been releasing a new video every week for the children and their family to watch at a convenient time for them. There is no charge for these sessions and you can register to enter by following this link.
Concerts from Tutors and Alumni’s homes: As we are not able to hold our series of community concerts at present, many of our tutors and alumni have had the opportunity to record short concerts for release every Tuesday evening. The most recent concerts are available to view on our website www.cgwm.org.uk
Ensembles and Community Orchestra: We have been providing videos and rehearsal tracks for many of our members and some ensembles have collaborated on virtual performances including performances as part of our concert for the North Wales International Festival online https://www.nwimf.com/canolfan-gerdd We plan to hold ensemble sessions over the zoom this term.
Canfod y Gân / Discover the Song : www.canfodygan.cymru. Many of our members have been taking part in virtual performances and we have just started group sessions over zoom. We are extremely grateful to Spirit of 2012 (project funders) for their support and flexibility.
Sgwrs a Chân / Song and a Chat : As we are unable to travel around Gwynedd to deliver our Sgwrs a Chân sessions for older people in the community, since April we have been emailing a link to virtual sessions to many of our members. We are also in the process of preparing a CD for members who do not have access to the web and further plans are being made in partnership with our funders Gwynedd Council.
Update regarding our Music Festivals
Wales International Piano Festival: Unfortunately the Festival due to be held at Galeri Caernarfon 1-4 May 2020 had to be postponed. However, we are really looking forward to hosting a festival from 30 April – 3 May 2021 at Galeri Caernarfon. We are keeping an eye on the developments regarding the Covid-19 situation and considering possible adaptations to some activities. Following the success of our Piano Day to launch the Festival in November 2019, we will be holding a Virtual Piano Day on the 21st of November 2020. For more details, please visit the Festival website: www.pianofestival.co.uk
Wales Harp Festival : The 2020 harp festival had to be canceled but we look forward to holding a Festival on 30 and 31 March 2021. As with the Piano Festival we are keeping an eye on the developments and are busy considering various options to ensure we have another successful Festival in 2021. www.walesharpfestival.co.uk
We would like to thank our wonderful team of free-lance musicians for their cooperation during the last 6 months. It is an extremely challenging time for them all and we will continue do our best to secure as much of their work as possible at CGWM.
We hope that in the coming months we will be able to resume further face-to-face activities. Working online over the last few months has however opened our eyes to new ways of working and we look forward to continuing some online activities in addition to our usual programme of activity the future. If you would like further information on any of the activities please contact us at post@cgwm.org.uk or 01286 685230.
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A musical group that’s providing a lockdown lifeline for people in Gwynedd with and without learning disabilities has launched a new video with the help of some star names.
Performing with the members, tutors and volunteers involved in the Canfod y Gân (Discovering Music) project were Geraint Lovgreen, from Caernarfon, Dewi Pws who lives in Nefyn on the Llŷn Peninsula, along with Rhys Parry who plays guitar in Bryn Fôn’s popular band.
The video was produced using audio and video from members improvising musically which were recorded by family members or support workers on phones and tablets.
The music track was then mixed and edited by Edwin Humphreys, from Pwllheli, a tutor with the project and the video was created by Gwydion Davies, from Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Music Centre (CGWM).
The Coronavirus pandemic hasn’t stopped the group from making music despite the fact they can no longer meet up for their fortnightly sessions in Caernarfon, Pwllheli and Harlech.
Led by CGWM and working in partnership with Gwynedd Council’s Learning Disability Team, they have put together a video of members performing the national anthem of Wales as well as the group’s own unique signature piece which they’re hoping will go viral on social media.
The project, which is funded by a three-year grant from Spirit of 2012, the London 2012 legacy fund, gives disabled and non-disabled people the opportunity to come together as equals to create music with the aim of improving mental health and wellbeing.
Matthew Murray, 25, from Bangor, a member of the Caernarfon group, loves being part of the group.
He said “I like to rap and have been writing my own stuff for a long time. My social worker was looking for a music project I could get involved with and that’s how I got to be with Canfod y Gân.
“I volunteer in a cafe at the leisure center in Caernarfon on Mondays’ or until the virus I did. So, I started going to Canfod y Gân after my shift in the cafe. I love working with other people and like pretty much everything about the group.
“I’ve met a friend there who volunteers and we are going to work together on some raps and we plan to record some of my lyrics. That’s really exciting.
“I write what comes to mind. I write about things that are going on in my life, about family issues and things like that.”
He added: “I enjoyed being involved with the video that we have done. I wrote lyrics about the hard times and how we are coping with the pandemic and friends and family.”
Terry Tuffrey, 20, from Blaenau Ffestiniog, is a member of the Harlech group and is a student at Coleg Meirion Dwyfor in Dolgellau where he is studying independent living skills.
He said: “I usually go every other Tuesday night and like it a lot. I’m a very sociable person and I get to meet friends from Harlech and the area. It’s always good fun and I learn new singing skills.
“They often have new instruments to try but I prefer to sing although I can play tambourines and wind chimes things like that. I started going when I was 18 and I’m just 20 now. The singing we do I like because I get to sing the sort of things I like.
He added: “The virus has been horrible and has stopped the Canfod y Gân sessions. As a family we are just following the guidelines and hoping for the best, that’s all you can do.
“But I’m looking forward to going back and meeting everyone again.”
According to project manager Mared Gwyn-Jones, the aim is to enable all members of the group to come together with professional music tutors and volunteers to create music as equals.
She said: “Spirit of 2012 awards grants for inclusive arts, sports and volunteering activities in communities that bring people together to improve their wellbeing which is exactly what Canfod y Gȃn does.
“The Coronavirus pandemic has put a stop to our fortnightly groups at all three locations and we have to accept that is likely to continue being the case for a considerable time.
“However, we have worked together to develop alternative means of working. Not being able to meet up and work together face to face was a massive blow to many of our members as well as the freelance music tutors who have been working on the project.
“Since having to suspend group meetings we have been keeping in touch with many of our members through regular phone calls and video recordings of favourite songs.
“This has been very important in keeping spirits up and to keep the project going. “Our Caernarfon group has taken this remote meeting a step further with their own project.
“The idea started when we received two clips of group member Llŷr Griffith, from Llanllyfni, playing the national anthem on keyboards and then our group’s signature song which has been composed, both music and lyrics, by members working together.”
“Edwin Humphreys was inspired to start something akin to a musical snowball. Using Llŷr’s clips, along with other tutors, members and volunteers, he created a track of this particular song.
“He has created an absolutely fantastic and inspiring track in his own recording studio from the clips group members sent him and Gwydion Davies has created a fantastic video to go along with the track.
“We now plan to replicate this project with our other groups and the process is now already underway with our Harlech and Pwllheli groups.”
Edwin, from Pwllheli, worked as a session musician for many years and retrained to become a psychiatric nurse.
He said: “Members recorded snippets on their phones and I’ve put those individual pieces together into one recording. Considering members had to record themselves on mobile phones or tablets they have done really well.
“I’m really pleased with what we have achieved together and hopefully the other two groups can now do something similar. I’m really looking forward to working with them.”
Fellow tutor Gwenan Gibbard, from Pwllheli, who’s an acclaimed harpist, says being involved with the scheme has proved to be an “absolute joy”.
She said: “The whole Canfod y Gân experience has been a privilege. It’s amazing as there is real talent out there and the best thing is everyone makes new friends. “Before Christmas we also had a couple of public performances which were really special. We performed music as a group and had some individual performances too.”
“On the video there is an eclectic mix of instruments. Several group members played guitars, there’s a cellist, a flautist, drummers and a glockenspiel and many different voices including Matthew Murray who does his own raps.”
CGWM director Meinir Llwyd Roberts said: “It has been wonderful to see Canfod y Gân develop during the 18months since we received the support from Spirit of 2012 and we’re delighted that we have been able to maintain contact with our members and ensure that music continues to be part of their lives during lockdown.
“We believe that every person has a song to sing and that every person deserves the opportunity to discover and share their song.”
The doors to our Centres in Caernarfon, Denbigh and Ruthin are closed at present but with the cooperation of our fantastic team of tutors, the music continues. Here’s a taste of our online provision with more projects to come during the next few weeks…..
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias is keen to appoint an enthusiastic and reliable individual who has strong interpersonal skills to work as a receptionist at the Centre’s main office in Galeri, Caernarfon during weekday evenings (school term only).
We are currently looking for an individual to work one evening a week with the possibility of additional shifts from time to time.
Music tutors from a highly acclaimed music centre in Wales will
see the tables turned next month when they perform in front of an audience
packed with students as part of a festival fundraiser.
International
concert pianist Iwan Llewelyn-Jones will be joined by a galaxy of talented
Welsh musicians from the Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music
Centre) for a special concert at 3pm on Sunday, November 10, in aid of the Wales
International Piano Festival.
The
tutors will embark on a musical journey across the globe, from Europe to
America and Australia, performing duets and trios from classical, popular
and jazz repertoire.
The
music centre, which has bases in Caernarfon, Denbigh and Ruthin, was founded
two decades ago in Caernarfon with support from the Arts Council of Wales to
help instrumentalists and singers of all
ages and abilities to reach their potential.
The
centre, which has helped to launch the national and international careers of dozens
of musicians, now boasts more than 40 freelance tutors including
internationally renowned harpist Elinor Bennett, who has taught at the centre
from the very beginning.
Next month’s concert, which takes place at Galeri in Caernarfon
at 3pm on Sunday, November 10, will showcase the talents of nine of its piano tutors
in a fun community event featuring an array of popular classics.
The concert, which has been organised by Iwan Llewelyn-Jones,
the Artistic Director of the Wales
International Piano Festival, will raise money towards the sponsorship of a
competition prize at next year’s piano festival.
He
said: “This is a community event and everybody is welcome. All the tutors have
invited their students along too and so these pupils will have the unique
opportunity to see their tutors performing.
“A
lot of work goes into preparing pupils for exams and competitions and this is a
nice way for the tables to be turned.
“We
are all friends and the nice thing about doing something like this is when you
get together as an ensemble, it’s so much fun. You don’t have to talk you just
play. You let the music do the talking for you.
“We
did a similar concert in 2015 to launch the 2016 festival. There was some
anticipation and nervousness, of course, as some of the tutors don’t have the time
to perform in public a lot but they loved it, it was an exhilarating experience
for us all. This is what it’s all about.”
The
concert, will feature, Glian Llwyd, Nia Davies-Williams, Steven Evans, Ann
Peters Jones, Helen Owen, Hawys Price, Teleri-Siân, Sian Wheway and Iwan.
Among
the highlights will be performances of Saint Saens’ popular classic ‘Carnival
of the Animals’, Debussy’s ‘En bateau’ and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker Suite performed on two grand
pianos.
“This
is one of two launch events bringing the music centre and the people who work
in it together for an opportunity to showcase their talents,” said Iwan,
“I’ve put a lot of thought into the selection of music and
have tried to make it as attractive as possible. The pianists are all giving
their time free for this concert and it would be wonderful to have a full-house
like we did back in 2015. Everybody is welcome.”
Meinir Llwyd Roberts, Director of the Canolfan Gerdd William
Mathias, added: “It’s a very colourful and interesting programme which will
appeal to families and people of any age.
“It’s
also a wonderful opportunity to hear the tutors themselves performing,
especially for their own students. They all teach at different times on different
days and evenings and it’s nice to bring them together to perform as a team”
The
Wales International Piano Festival, organised by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias,
takes place between 1-4 May 2020 and will explore the three key areas of
performance, competition and education.
Next
year’s festival will pay homage to Ludwig van Beethoven and his pianistic
legacy as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of his
birth.
A
Piano Day is also taking place on November 23 at the School of Music at Bangor
University as a further launch event to the festival. www.pianofestival.co.uk.
To
book tickets for the Piano Tutors’ Concert visit: www.galericaernarfon.com or call 01286 685222
Internationally renowned soloist Mary Lloyd-Davies from Llanuwchllyn, near Bala, will lead a musical extravaganza to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre.)
Mary has taught at the centre, which was founded in Caernarfon with support from the Arts Council of Wales, since its first day. The centre also has bases in Denbigh and Ruthin.
The concert will be held at the Galeri, in Caernarfon, on Saturday, September 7, when Mary will be joined by a galaxy of Welsh musical stars.
There will be performances by acclaimed harpist Elinor Bennett, who has been instrumental in the centre’s success, and flautist, Rhiannon Mathias, the daughter of the composer, Professor William Mathias, after whom the centre was named.
Despite enjoying a career that has taken her so some of the world’s most famous opera houses, Mary Lloyd-Davies, stayed close to her roots by tutoring vocal students at the centre.
She said: “I’ve been performing since around 1969 and have enjoyed a wonderful career. There have been some fabulous highlights and inevitably a few low points too.
“One particular highlight was performing at Milan’s La Scala Opera House in an opera entitled 1984 which is based on George Orwell’s famous book.
“I have also performed in Hansel and Gretel in San Francisco and Houston and in Strauss’ Elecktra at the Opéra Bastille in Paris.
“I made my Royal Opera House debut as the fortune teller in Arabella. I also spent 22 years with the Wales National Opera (WNO) doing lead roles in Fidelio, Macbeth, Elektra, Tosca, Ballo in Maschera, Tristan and Isolde.”
“My big break came in 1992. I was understudy for the lead role in the Richard Strauss opera Elektra. However, the lead became sick and I had to step in at very, very short notice.
“I was then offered the lead role in Elektra in the same production in 1995 for another WNO production and then stepped in at very short notice for the same role at Opéra Bastille in Paris for a different production. That was also a big career boost.”
She added: “I’ll be performing some William Mathias arranged traditional Welsh folk songs accompanied by harpist Elinor Bennett. I performed these folk songs at the memorial service for Yvonne Mathias, William Mathias’ widow, after being asked by their daughter, Rhiannon.
“The line-up for the concert is very impressive as along with Elinor Bennett we have harpist Glain Dafydd and pianist Glian Llwyd both of whom were Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias students.
“Also performing will be a former student who has become a successful singer songwriter, Casi Wyn ; cellist Gwydion Rhys and sopranos Tesni Jones and Lisa Dafydd, who were both students at the Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias’ satellite in Denbigh before going on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music.
“It’s going to be a wonderful evening of music and a great way to celebrate 20 years of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias success.”
“It’s really important we have Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias in North Wales. There really is nowhere else in the region offering such a broad range of high quality music activities.. And this concert is really going to be a celebration of something quite special.”
According to the centre’s director, Meinir Llwyd Roberts, it’s a charity that offers a place with a real musical buzz to musicians of all ages.
She said: “We started 20 years ago offering one to one lessons and now have more than 40 freelance tutors. And as well as being based at Galeri Caernarfon we offer a facility at Denbigh and Ruthin with lessons two evenings a week. “But we do so much more than offer one to one tuition.. We have a pre-school music programme,, we work in care homes offering music to people living with dementia, we offer singing groups in rural communities and recently secured a substantial grant to develop our provision for adults who have learning disabilities. .
“We also offer a variety of ensembles and masterclasses and organise an annual Wales Harp Festival as well as both an international Harp Festival and an International Piano Festival every four years.
“The range of activities we are involved in has and continues to grow significantly. And many of our students have gone on to become very successful musicians in their own right.”
“It’s going to be a very special evening of music with something for everyone and I’d encourage music lovers to book their tickets now to save any disappointment.”
To book tickets please ring Galeri on 01286 685222 or go to the website www.galericaernarfon.com
A new
instrumental ensemble for adults held in Caernarfon, the Caernarfon Community
Orchestra held its very first rehearsal on Tuesday the 5th of March.
Under the
direction of the cellist, Nicki Pearce from Colwyn Bay and with Steven Evans,
originally from Caernarfon as répetiteur the Community Orchestra meets on
Tuesday evenings from 8:00pm – 9:15pm at Theatr Seilo in Caernarfon.
Sixteen
members attended the first rehearsal with another 3 joining the second week.
It has
been a dream for many years for Nicki Pearce, the orchestra leader to establish
an orchestra for adults. Nicki said:
“I’m
thrilled that I’ve finally been able to establish a community-based orchestra
here in Caernarfon for adults.”
“There
are so many adult learners who have been receiving one-to-one music tuition and
this is a brilliant way for them to come together and have fun through music.”
“Also it
is a great way for adults who have maybe not touched their instruments for
years to pick it up again and have a go in a friendly and supportive
environment.”
This new
venture is organised by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias which is based at Galeri
Caernarfon and provides high quality music tuition, as well as organising a
variety of community events throughout Wales.
Talking
about the new orchestra, the director of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias, Meinir
Llwyd recognised the need for such an ensemble in Caernarfon:
“Nicki
Pearce and I had been discussing for a while the possibility of establishing an
orchestra that would provide opportunities for adults to come together, to
socialise and enjoy creating music.
“Steven
Evans who has recently started teaching piano at the Centre, also expressed an
interest in being involved.”
“It’s
interesting to see that the number of adults receiving one-to-one lessons at
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias has increased over recent years, which is very
good news.”
“However,
we also recognised the need to provide more opportunities for the adults
receiving one-to-one lessons to also take part in group tuition as well as
encouraging those who may have once played an instrument – perhaps whilst they
were children to take up their instruments again.”
One
member that enjoyed the first rehearsal was Gwyneth M Davies from Benllech that
plays Bb Cornet.
“It is
only recently that I have started having lessons, though I’ve been playing for
around ten years.”
“I love
music – I am a keen member of the LSW Band as well as Côr Hamdden Mathias – a
women’s choir that meet on a Thursday afternoon in Caernarfon.”
“To be
honest I was quite nervous before the first rehearsal – not quite sure what to
expect.”
“But
we’ve jelled as a Group and I’ve made new friends – we’re all very supportive
of each other and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.”
“The
conductor Nicki Pearce is wonderful – she knows our different levels, and takes
that into consideration when choosing pieces. It made me feel great that I
could play the part I had.”
“I’ve
also been encouraging my friends to join – they have an interest and are always
asking how the rehearsals are going – I hope they’ll come and give it a go.”
One of
the members who enjoyed the first rehearsal was Desmond Burton from Bangor.
Desmond is an English language tutor at Bangor University and has previously
taught English language overseas for almost 25 years. Desmond said:
“Regardless
of your experience and level, if you think you’d enjoy playing music with
others, come and join us in the Community Orchestra. Lots of us have never
played in an orchestra before, so don’t be put off by the thought that everyone
else will be better than you, because they probably won’t be!”
Nicki
Pearce and Steven Evans were both very pleased to see such a variety of
instruments. According to Steven:
“I did
think that we might struggle to find woodwind and brass instrumentalists – but
we had no trouble whatsoever – although we could do with some more violinists!”
Since the
first rehearsal more members have now joined and a warm welcome awaits any
other new members wishing to join the orchestra.
A new
series of Caernarfon Community Orchestra will begin on the 9th of
April.
To
register and for more information members are encouraged to contact Canolfan
Gerdd William Mathias (01286 685 230 / post@cgwm.org.uk).
