News Feed | Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias

Job Advertisement: Receptionist

by Gwydion Davies | 4 October, 2025 | Uncategorized

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 1 shift a week (school term time only) with the possibility of additional shifts from time to time. The shifts will usually be 5 hours in length.

For more information please see the Job Description.

Closing Date: 5pm, Monday 20.10.2025

Musical brings legendary female outlaw to life with world premiere at major North Wales festival

by Gwydion Davies | 3 October, 2025 | Uncategorized

A daring new musical based on one of Wales’ most gripping adventure novels is to make its world premiere at a top festival.

Madam Wen, the tale of smugglers, highwaymen and a fearless female outlaw, has been reimagined for the stage by scriptwriter Manon Wyn Williams and set to music by composer Guto Pryderi Puw.

It will be performed for the first time at the Wales International Piano Festival that’s being held at Galeri Caernarfon from October 16-20.

Pupils from Ysgol Gynradd Bodedern on Anglesey will join the professional cast of Madam Wen on Friday, October 17, performing alongside soprano Glesni Rhys Jones, pianists Elain Rhys Jones and Angharad Wyn Jones, and percussionist Dewi Ellis Jones.

Williams said she was fascinated by the novel’s heroine, Einir Wyn, who leads a double life as a society woman and the leader of a band of smugglers.

At its heart is the love story between her and Morys Williams, an honest Anglesey squire, who is blissfully unaware of her illegal adventures as an outlaw.

She was said to have used hideout in a cave at Llanfair-yn- Neubwll near the present day RAF airbase at Valley.

Williams said: “Madam Wen aka Einir Wyn (Wyn means white in Welsh) appears to have been inspired by a real woman from the area, Margaret Williams.

“She was rumoured to be the leader of a gang of smugglers in the same area although she didn’t share the same principles as the fictional character who stole from the rich and gave to the poor.

“I’ve adapted the novel into five short sections that I will narrate during the performance with music for piano, voices, and percussion composed by Guto.

“Interspersed with the spoken word there will be pieces for piano duet and songs performed by the soprano, Glesni Rhys, and the children from Ysgol Gynradd Bodedern.”

Madam Wen first appeared in serial form in the newspaper, Y Genedl Gymraeg, during 1914 but wasn’t published as a novel until 1925.

Tragically, its author W.D. Owen, a solicitor from Anglesey, died just two weeks later from tuberculosis.

A review in the Liverpool Daily Post said: “Mr. Owen provides us with a good yarn, for which, in this all too sombre world, we owe him thanks. This is the kind of Welsh book we want: a breathless tale that insists upon being real.”

The premiere of the new musical marks the centenary of both the publication of the novel and the death of the author.

Composer Puw, Reader in Music Composition at Bangor University, added a unique twist to the performance.

He said: “The piano duet will be performed on one piano which is different and the children will also perform a piece led by percussionist Dewi Ellis Jones on instruments they have created themselves from recycled materials under the guidance of creative designer and artist Catrin Williams.

According to Puw, he hadn’t read the novel until earlier this year but was aware of the story because a film had been made by S4C in the early 1980s.

“I faintly recall the film but did not watch it again as I did not want to be influenced by its music score, which was written by acclaimed composer Gareth Glyn,” he said.

Puw and Manon Williams visited the youngsters at Ysgol Bodedern to discuss the story with them and later tried to find Madam Wen’s cave.

“The area around Llyn Traffwll is quite boggy and full of wild growth and after some time searching we were unsuccessful in finding the cave and gave up, so we could fully sympathise with the soldiers who were tasked with the job of finding and capturing Madam Wen.” he said.

Iwan Llewelyn-Jones, the Wales International Piano Festival’s Artistic Director, said the concert is part of the Festival’s community day which has an emphasis on bringing people from all walks of life together to make music.

“It is this year’s Festival commission piece and commemorates not only the centenary of the novel’s publication but also the centenary of the author’s death.

“It’s important that people celebrate their local area, and W D Owen and Madam Wen are very special to Anglesey,” he said.

The festival, organised by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias, is taking place over five days. In addition to workshops, masterclasses and lectures two other concerts are planned in addition to Madam Wen.

The first concert, at Bangor University’s Powis Hall on October 16, will highlight French Chamber Music. It will feature soprano Erin Gwyn Rossington, cellist Rosie Biss and violinist Sara Trickey with Iwan Llewelyn-Jones on the piano.

Jazz pianist Gwilym Simcock will perform at Galeri Caernarfon on the Saturday evening.

There are also three competitions with sections for pianists under 18 and over 18 but under 26 and an accompanists prize which is open to all ages.

Staging the festival has been made possible thanks to the support of funders, including Cymdeithas Elusennol Ynys Môn, Tŷ Cerdd, Colwinston Trust, Vaughan Williams Foundation, The Foyle Foundation, Gaynor Cemlyn Jones Trust, the Pendine Park care organisation via Pendine Arts and Community Trust and many individual and business sponsors as well as the annual revenue funding Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias receives from the Arts Council of Wales towards core costs.

More details about the festival online at www.pianofestival.co.uk Tickets are available from the Galeri Caernarfon website www.galericaernarfon.com or the Ticket Office on 01286 685222.

Homegrown jazz star Gwilym Simcock to make rare solo return at North Wales festival

by Gwydion Davies | 2 October, 2025 | Uncategorized

An internationally renowned pianist who grew up near Caernarfon is set to make an emotional return to his roots this autumn – with a solo show at a top music festival.

Gwilym Simcock, who spent his early years in Pontllyfni, will take centre stage at the Wales International Piano Festival at Galeri Caernarfon from Thursday, October 16 to Monday, October 20.

The event, being organised once again by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre), has established itself as a highlight of the global cultural calendar.

The award-winning musician, celebrated for his effortless fusion of jazz and classical music, is set to deliver a rare and intimate solo performance that’s expected to be a major highlight of the festival

The concert on Saturday, October 18, is being sponsored by the Pendine Arts and Community Trust which was set up by Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill, the arts loving owners of the Pendine Park care organisation.

Mario said: “Gwilym is a generational talent and the audience is in for an extraordinary treat so we were delighted to be able to support this concert.

“From our perspective this totally fits in with our ethos. We recognise how important the arts are to our lives in all its forms.

“Music matters just as much to people who live and work in social care as it does to young and old in the wider society.”

Gwilym, 44, has cut back on touring since starting a family, making the concert even more of a must-see for music fans.

He said: “I only do a handful of solo concerts each year and I’ve cut back on touring now that I have a family so there will be a freshness to my playing.

“I’m looking forward to crafting a programme especially for this venue. It will include some of my own compositions as well as pieces from the Great American songbook and some classical music.

“I want to have an emotional experience when I listen to music and in this I will play the music I would like to listen to myself,” he said.

He added solo concerts are particularly enjoyable because he is not constrained by other musicians.

“In a solo concert I can express myself and improvise.

“Improvisation is at the centre of jazz, but in a trio or quartet sometimes that’s maybe not possible,” he said.

Gwilym said his influences are wide ranging, from jazz legends including Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea to classical composers including Maurice Ravel and Béla Bartók.

Although principally a jazz pianist Gwilym has composed numerous works for larger classical ensembles creating a sound that is distinctive and very much his own. He is Professor of Jazz Piano at the Royal Academy of Music.

Gwilym’s talent as a musician was evident from an early age.

Aged eleven he attained the highest marks in exams on both piano and French horn.

He studied both instruments and composition at Chetham’s School of music, Manchester, and later studied jazz piano at The Royal Academy of Music, London and graduated having won the “Principal’s Prize” for outstanding achievement.

Since then Gwilym has carved out a career as one of the most gifted pianists and imaginative composers in Europe.

He has performed with orchestras, choirs, big bands, dancers and toured with violin virtuoso Nigel Kennedy.

Gwilym was the first BBC New Generation Artist from a Jazz background, and his album “Good Days at Schloss Elmau” was shortlisted in 2011 at the prestigious Mercury Prize’.

Iwan Llewelyn-Jones, the Wales International Piano Festival’s Artistic Director, said: “Gwilym Simcock stands as one of the most remarkable and versatile pianists of his generation, seamlessly blending the worlds of jazz and classical music with his expressive touch and inventive spirit.

“His concert promises to be a captivating evening of musical brilliance and is sure to be a memorable highlight for the audience.”

According to the Anglesey-born pianist, the festival also features a variety of concerts starting with a French Chamber Music Concert at Bangor University’s Powis Hall on Thursday 16 October.

Taking to the stage to perform will be soprano Erin Gwyn Rossington, cellist Rosie Biss and violinist Sara Trickey with Iwan Llewelyn-Jones himself on the piano.

“The concert will pay homage to four of France’s most distinguished composers, including Maurice Ravel, the composer of Bolero and Gabriel Fauré who wrote some of the best chamber music for piano ever written. “We will also feature a selection of songs by Cécile Chaminade and Lily Boulanger.”

The following evening, Friday, October 17 at Galeri Caernarfon the festival commission and education project, Madam Wen, will be performed.

Scripted and narrated by Manon Wyn Williams and music composed by Guto Pryderi Puw the project commemorates the novel Madam Wen (White Lady) written by William David Owen.

Iwan added: “Prior to the concert renowned artist Catrin Williams, together with CGWM percussion tutor Dewi Ellis Jones will visit Bodedern Primary School to run a series of art workshops where the children will create instruments and explore and choose sounds that resonate with the story.

Madam Wen was published in book form in 1925 but it had first appeared as a serial in the Welsh-language newspaper y Genedl Gymraeg (The Welsh Nation) in 1914.

The novel tells the story of a female heroine, not dissimilar to the character of Robin Hood.

The background is unclear but it’s said to be based on real life characters that lived on Anglesey in the late 19th century. Owen died two weeks after the novel was published.

The concert features Ysgol Gynradd Bodedern Vocal and Instrumental Group, Dewi Elis Jones on percussion, pianists Elain Rhys Jones and Angharad Wyn Jones and soprano Glesni Rhys Jones.

More details about the festival and how to buy tickets can be found online at www.pianofestival.co.uk

Talented piano virtuosos vying for global glory at North Wales festival

by Gwydion Davies | 30 September, 2025 | Uncategorized

Talented pianists from across the world will compete for cash prizes of up to £3,000 at an internationally-renowned festival in North Wales.

The Wales International Piano Festival is being held at Galeri in Caernarfon from October 16-20 and will also feature concerts, masterclasses and lectures.

The event, being organised once again by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre), has established itself as a highlight of the global cultural calendar.

Iwan Llewelyn-Jones, the festival’s Artistic Director, said: “Planning the festival has been both challenging and exciting.

“It’s taking place over five days for the first time and each of the days has a theme to it.

“The Festival kicks off with a Research Study Day exploring the piano’s role in vocal and instrumental chamber music. T

“Taking place at Bangor University’s Department of Music, this is an exciting new collaboration between, the University, the Royal Musical Association and the Wales International Piano Festival, with guest speakers and performers from France, Belgium and the UK.

“The theme on the second day is the ‘People’s Piano’ with a series of community events featuring composers like Erik Satie who wrote the wonderful Gymnopédies for piano and other quirky little pieces we’re all familiar with and the ever popular Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi who was the most streamed classical composer in 2023.”

“For the remaining days of the festival, he said, the focus shifts to the three competitions at the festival, with contestants from as far afield as Australia, South Korea and Mexico vying for glory.

“One is for pianists under the age of 18, another for those aged over 18 but under the age of 26 and an accompanists prize which is open to all ages.

“Accompanists are often overlooked but they play an essential part in concerts, recitals and competitions,” he said.

Iwan paid tribute to the individuals and groups who had provided funds for the prizes.

“It is not as easy raising money for cultural events and I am immensely grateful to those who were approached who responded positively and generously,” he said.