Our Arfon group were invited to be part of the Hijix Unity Festival (an intergrated theatre group) in Pontio, Bangor on 29 June.
The group performed a mix of popular songs including, Ysbyrs y Nos by Edward H, What About Now by Westlife and Love Yourself by Justin Bieber. Cân Canfod y Gân was performed, composed by the group during the first year of the project and an improvisation on Elin’s tune on the glockenspiel. In addition, Matthew performed his New song ‘Running Around in My Mind’, a song which he has released as an EP Bandcamp. The set was finished with the “crowd pleasers” Sosban Fach and Mam Wnaeth Gôt Imi where the audience joined in with us!
Thanks to Hijinx Theater Company for including us in their very special festival!
The Dwyfor group was invited by the Dementia Service to be part of a Tea Dance which was held in Capel y Trindod, Pwllheli in June.
There was plenty of dancing, singing, cakes and cups to keep the group going throughout the afternoon. Our member Merfyn performed a composed song about Finding the Song, these are the words:
A new group was formed,
A brand new group,
There isn’t one similar anywhere else,
It’s cheerful and unique
There’s lots of different instruments,
For everyone, no matter who you are,
To play and to have fun,
And create all types of song
The group performed music that the audience could ballroom dance to and join in with us.
Thanks to the Dementia Service, the students of Coleg Meirion Dwyfor and to Edwin for the invitation.
Members of our Harlech group were delighted to be back performing live on stage for the first time since 2019 on Saturday. We had a wonderful Saturday morning taking part in the Merched y Wawr conference in Rhydymain on the 14th of May.
We heard a great performance on the Cellos by Debbie and Elin to start the morning, before the group moved on to perform a few Welsh classics such as ‘Ar lan y Môr’ and ‘Ceidwad y Goleudy’, before we finished with an original song by the Canfod y Gan crew called ‘Lockdown song’.
Many thanks to the Merched y Wawr for having us there – we had a great day!
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.
It has been a challenging year due to the pandemic but we are delighted that we have been able to re-start our face to face sessions since September. Thank you to everyone for their support. We look forward to a 2022 full of music making. Here’s a special performance by our members to wish everyone a Happy Christmas.
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.
Back in January after the shock that came before Christmas that we were in another lockdown. It felt different this time. Wouldn’t this Christmas be the same, and how long will this lockdown last? We were all facing an uncertain time again. When we got back together after Christmas, it was very important for us all to help each other. Terry, one of our members, said:
“It’s really important for us all to stay positive and keep going. Coming to Canfod helps me, and getting creative ”
Inspired by Terry’s words, we asked everyone what they were looking forward to doing once things got better. Everyone was full of ideas.
Here are some of our ideas:
Working at Café Cei
Playing football in Caernarfon with Tony and Mark
Have a cuppa and a cake at a cafe
Ride a bike and run far
Swim and feel the water
Go for a trip to the seaside and have a picnic with everyone
Getting a real hug is better than a virtual hug
Go back to Canfod y Gân again
Sing in the same room as everyone else
The group were thinking of heart-warming messages. ‘A better day will come’ was a very important message to everyone. Many of our members also attend Clwb Enfys through www.llwybraullesiant.cymru so we decided to work with the club to create positive messages and colorful artwork to include in our video. Thank you to the club members for contributing to our video, your artwork was fantastic, so positive and colorful!
One of our tutors, Elin, put everyone’s ideas together. And that’s how we got the new ‘Keep the Faith’ song. We were busy recording ourselves playing together. We had all kinds of videos from the mouth organ to bells and the cello. Mared also blew the dust off her flute to perform with the crew.
