A new composition by internationally acclaimed Welsh composer Paul Mealor will bring this year’s National Eisteddfod to a close, as 150 young people from the Carreg Las area take to the Pafiliwn stage.
Côr a Cherddorfa’r Tair Sir (Three Counties Choir and Orchestra) will perform Angerdd a gerdd, a new work specially commissioned from Professor Paul Mealor, with words by celebrated poet Menna Elfyn. The event will bring the Pafiliwn programme for the week to a close on the final Saturday evening of the festival.
Now established as one of the highlights of Eisteddfod, the closing ceremony will see young musicians from Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire come together to celebrate Wales’ rich classical music tradition.
Côr y Tair Sir was originally founded following the creation of Dyfed in the 1974 local government reorganisation, becoming well known across the region and beyond. The choir has been revived especially for this year’s National Eisteddfod supported by the National Music Service of Wales and sponsorship from the Gwendoline and Margaret Davies Charity, Gregynog.
Rehearsals began in the spring, with pupils meeting regularly to prepare. Professor Paul Mealor said he had been delighted by the response.
“One hundred and fifty young people came together to rehearse my new work, to Menna Elfyn’s powerful words, and it sounded wonderful from the very first rehearsal,” he said. “It’s a challenging piece for young voices, but I’ve been hugely impressed by their commitment, and I’m certain it will be a thrilling experience for the audience on the night.”
Paul Mealor has long-standing links with Wales’ musical tradition. Born in St Asaph and raised in Connah’s Quay, he studied composition with Professor William Mathias at the University of York. He credits Mathias as the inspiration behind his musical career, particularly his passion for choral composition.
Alongside Mealor’s music, the performance will showcase the words of one of Wales’ leading poets, Menna Elfyn. Since the publication of her first poetry collection, Mwyara, 50 years ago, she has produced numerous volumes of poetry, children’s books and anthologies, while also writing for stage, radio and television. Her work has received widespread critical acclaim and many awards.
As well as marking the end of the festival week, the concert celebrates the National Eisteddfod’s rich musical heritage, while giving a new generation of performers the opportunity to present a major choral work on one of Wales’ most prestigious stages.
Classical music will feature prominently across the Maes this year, with a programme of events taking place at Y Stiwdio and Encore.
Among the highlights is a performance of Atgof o’r Sêr (Memory of the Stars), composed by Robat Arwyn with words written especially for Bryn Terfel. First performed at the 2001 Denbigh National Eisteddfod, this year marks the 25th anniversary of its premiere.
The eight-song cycle will be performed by several recent winners of the Osborne Roberts Memorial Prize, including Steffan Lloyd Owen, Meinir Wyn Roberts, John Ieuan Jones, Llinos Haf Jones, Dafydd Jones, Siriol Elin, Joshua Mills and Lisa Dafydd.
Another highlight will be a rare opportunity to hear two songs by composer Meirion Williams, a performance which marks the 50th anniversary of his death.
On behalf of the Eisteddfod, musician Sioned Webb and Steffan Prys explored the archive of the late soprano Ceinwen Rowlands, with the assistance of Maredudd ap Huw at the National Library of Wales.
Sioned spent time in London during the 1980s researching and completing an MA dissertation on the life and work of Meirion Williams, but she was unaware of the Ceinwen Rowlands collection at the time. This year she discovered two previously unperformed pieces in strict Welsh metres – cywyddau by Siôn Cent and Huw Morys (Eos Ceiriog) – she edited them for performance with the assistance of Eurig Salisbury.
This will be the first time the two songs will have been heard in over 80 years. Nerys Williams, the composer’s daughter, has been invited to attend the Eisteddfod and to present the scores to Tŷ Cerdd.
Betsan Moses, Chief Executive of the National Eisteddfod, said: “There’s a strong programme of classical music across the Maes this year. We’re delighted to welcome so many former competition winners back to perform, celebrating the connection between competing at the Eisteddfod and their career in music.
“We’re also using Rhosygilwen, near the Maes, as the venue for our music prelims during the week, and everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the performances.
“The Pafiliwn event on the final Saturday evening promises to be one of the highlights of the festival. It is wonderful to give classical music such a prominent place at its heart, while offering talented young local musicians the chance to be part of a unique experience – working alongside one of Wales’ best-known composers and bringing the words of one of our leading poets to life through music. It will provide a memorable finale to a week of music and creativity.”
Eisteddfod Genedlaethol y Garreg Las will be held in Llantwd, north Pembrokeshire between 1-8 August this year. Further information and tickets are available at eisteddfod.cymru.
