Choral music from Wales
Donald Macleod celebrates 80 years of Composer of the Week with a concert of music by Grace Williams and Hilary Tann, performed by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers in Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff.
Donald Macleod celebrates 80 years of "Composer of the Week" with a concert of music by Grace Williams and Hilary Tann, curated by Welsh music historian Rhian Davies, and performed by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers in Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay. Donald, together with Welsh music specialist Geraint Lewis and conductor and broadcaster Gwawr Owen, considers the part these two composers play in the history of Wales's vibrant choral tradition.
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. Across the week, he follows the stories of 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.
For the first time in "Composer of the Week's" long history, today's first episode of the series was recorded live and in front of an audience. During the programme the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers showcase music by two composers Grace Williams and Hilary Tann, through their choral music. Music includes Williams' arrangements of Welsh folk songs, and her masterly setting of Ave Maris Stella and we also hear Hilary Tann's settings of Welsh poets RS Thomas and Menna Elfyn.
Trad. arr. Grace Williams: Jim Cro
Mens' voices of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers
Ellie Slorach, conductor
Libby Burgess, piano
Trad. arr. Grace Williams: O rare Turpin
Trad. arr. Grace Williams: Mari lwyd
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers
Ellie Slorach, conductor
Libby Burgess, piano
Hilary Tann: The Moor
Emma Tring, soprano
Jessica Gillingwater, mezzo-soprano
Grace Williams: Ave maris stella
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers
Ellie Slorach, conductor
Hilary Tann: Wellspring
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers
Ellie Slorach, conductor
Grace Williams: When the green woods laugh
Grace Williams: Yr eos
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers
Ellie Slorach, conductor
Libby Burgess, piano
Hilary Tann: Paradise
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers
Ellie Slorach, conductor
Producer: Johannah Smith
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Clips
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Wrth fynd efo Deio i Dywyn (trad.) arr. Jayne Davies
Duration: 01:46
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Lisa lΓΆn (traditional) , arr. Jayne Davies
Duration: 03:12
Music Played
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Welsh Traditional
Jim Cro
Performer: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers. Performer: Libby Burgess. Music Arranger: Grace Williams. Conductor: Ellie Slorach. -
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English Traditional
O rare Turpin
Performer: Libby Burgess. Music Arranger: Grace Williams. Choir: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers. Conductor: Ellie Slorach. -
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Grace Williams
Mari Lwyd
Choir: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers. Conductor: Ellie Slorach. -
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Hilary Tann
The Moor
Choir: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers. Conductor: Ellie Slorach. -
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Grace Williams
Ave maris stella
Choir: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers. Conductor: Ellie Slorach. -
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Hilary Tann
Wellspring
Choir: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers. Conductor: Ellie Slorach. -
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Grace Williams
When the green woods laugh
Choir: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers. Conductor: Ellie Slorach. -
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Grace Williams
Yr eos
Choir: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers. Conductor: Ellie Slorach. -
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Hilary Tann
Paradise
Choir: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers. Conductor: Ellie Slorach.
Broadcast
- Mon 25 Sep 2023 12:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
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