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Composer of the Week's 80th anniversary celebrations continue when Donald Macleod meets one of Wales's pre-eminent living composers, Rhian Samuel.

Composer of the Week's 80th anniversary celebrations continue when Donald Macleod meets one of Wales's pre-eminent living composers, Rhian Samuel.

Composer of the Week has been produced in Cardiff since 1999, so it's fitting that Donald is celebrating Welsh composers in this anniversary series. Following on from a live concert given in the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay, with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers, Donald continues the story of Welsh music with programmes featuring music by Grace Williams, Hilary Tann, Morfydd Owen, Dilys Elwyn-Edwards and Rhian Samuel. This quintet of composers were all born in Wales, and much of their music finds inspiration in their Welsh roots. Collectively, their stories will take us from the 1890s to the present day.

In a wide-ranging discussion Donald and Rhian Samuel look back over the many experiences that inform her music, from her early years of playing the oboe at school in Aberdare, in south Wales to further music studies at Reading, and then studying and living for some years in America, where, among her experiences and opportunities, she was invited to sing for the President.

Rhian Samuel: Four-and-a half Dancing Men (A Garland for Anne)
Chenyin Li, piano

Rhian Samuel: Little Duos for oboe and cor anglais
II: Little Whispers
Tailleferre Ensemble

Rhian Samuel: A Perfect View
Gillian Keith, soprano
Simon Lepper, piano

Rhian Samuel: Gaslight Square II for piano duo
Antithesis piano duo

Rhian Samuel: Love Bade me welcome
New College Choir
Robert Quinney, director

Rhian Samuel: Salve nos
Hiyoli Togawa, viola

Rhian Samuel: Time out of Time
III: Twixt Thee and Me
IV: The little boat at its moorings
V: Harmonium
Gemma Rosefield, cello
Simon Lepper, piano

Rhian Samuel: Clytemnestra for female voice and orchestra (excerpts)
II: Lament for his absence
VI: Defiance
VII: Epilogue. Dirge
Ruby Hughes, soprano
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ National Orchestra of Wales
Jac van Steen, conductor

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Rhian Samuel

    A Garland for Anne, No 5, Four-and-a-half Dancing Men

    Performer: Chenyin Li.
    • DEUX-ELLES : DXL 1128.
    • DEUX-ELLES.
    • 12.
  • Rhian Samuel

    Little Duos, No 2, Whispers

    Ensemble: Tailleferre Ensemble.
    • ULYSSES ART : UA-220060.
    • ULYSSES ART.
    • 10.
  • Rhian Samuel

    Nantcol Songs, No 2, A Perfect View

    Performer: Simon Lepper. Singer: Gillian Keith.
    • METRONOME : MET CD-1065.
    • METRONOME.
    • 5.
  • Rhian Samuel

    Gaslight Square II

    Ensemble: Antithesis Duo.
    • DEUX-ELLES : DX-1128.
    • DEUX-ELLES.
    • 20.
  • Rhian Samuel

    Love Bade me Welcome

    Choir: New College Oxford Choir. Director: Robert Quinney.
    • NOVUM : NCR-1391.
    • NOVUM.
    • 9.
  • Rhian Samuel

    Salve Nos

    Performer: Hiyoli Togawa.
    • BIS : 2533.
    • BIS.
  • Rhian Samuel

    Time out of Time (mvts 3, 4 & 5)

    Performer: Gemma Rosefield. Performer: Simon Lepper.
    • DEUX-ELLES : DXL 1128.
    • DEUX-ELLES.
    • 4.
  • Rhian Samuel

    Clytemnestra (excerpts)

    Singer: Ruby Hughes. Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Jac van Steen.
    • BIS BIS2408.
    • BIS.
    • 12.

Broadcast

  • Thu 28 Sep 2023 12:00

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