musical worlds dadorchuddio bydoedd cerddorol
MAI 1-11 MAY 2012 valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk
Information on venue locations can be found at our website www.valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk or can be sent out with your tickets on request
welcome ...
If you are uncertain about the access to a particular venue please call the box office on 029 2039 1391
– a significant year in our history as we move the event from early autumn to spring and at the same time present our most ambitious festival to date.
Ceir gwybodaeth am leoliadau canolfannau ar ein gwefan www.valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk neu gellir ei hanfon gyda’ch tocynnau ar gais
Two key hallmarks of the festival remain unchanged however. We will stay true to our commitment to celebrating the work of living composers, marking along the way two significant birthdays – Philip Glass’s 75th and Per Nørgård’s 80th – as well as exploring the music of Gavin Bryars, Craig Vear, Qigang Chen and a number of his Chinese contemporaries.
VENUES / CANOLFANNAU
BOOKING INFORMATION The festival booking office is based at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Telephone Bookings: 029 2039 1391 (Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm) Online Bookings: www.rwcmd.ac.uk
Os ydych yn ansicr ynglyˆn â’r mynediad i ganolfan benodol ffoniwch y swyddfa docynnau ar 029 2039 1391
(A £1.75 transaction fee applies to all online bookings with an optional postage charge of 70p)
All Saints Church / Eglwys yr Holl Saint Victoria Square, Penarth CF64 3HQ / Sgwar Victoria, Penarth CF64 3HQ
Concessions (listed in brackets) apply to students, under 16s and disabled customers. Wheelchair companions are entitled to complimentary tickets.
Art Central Town Hall / Neuadd y Dref, King Square, Barry / Y Barri, CF63 4RW (Entrance via county library / Mynedfa drwy lyfrgell y sir)
Book for 4 concerts or more in a single advance booking and you will be entitled to a free festival programme book
Arts Hall / Neuadd y Celfyddydau Trinity St David, Lampeter SA48 7ED / Prifysgol Cymru y Drindod Dewi Sant, Llanbedr Pont Steffan SA48 7ED
GWYBODAETH ARCHEBU
Barry Memorial Hall / Neuadd Goffa’r Barri Gladstone Road, Barry / Y Barri, CF62 8NA
Mae swyddfa docynnau’r wˆ yl yng Ngholeg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru Archebu dros y Ffôn: 029 2039 1391 (Llun – Gwener 10am - 5pm) Archebu Ar-lein: www.cbcdc.ac.uk (Codir ffi drafod o £1.75 ar gyfer pob archeb ar-lein gyda thâl post dewisol o 70c)
Ceir Consesiynau (a restrir mewn cromfachau) ar gyfer myfyrwyr, plant o dan 16 oed a chwsmeriaid anabl. Mae gan hebryngwyr pobl mewn cadeiriau olwyn hawl i docynnau di-dâl. Os archebwch tocynnau am 4 cyngerdd neu fwy mewn archeb unigol ymlaen llaw, cewch gopi o lyfr rhaglen yr w ˆ yl am ddim. The Festival gratefully acknowledges support from ˆ yl yn cydnabod gyda diolch gefnogaeth gan: Mae’r W
Chapter Market Road / Stryd y Farchnad, Cardiff / Caerdydd CF5 1QE Cowbridge Comprehensive School / Ysgol Gyfun y Bont Faen Aberthin Road, Cowbridge / Y Bont Faen CF71 7EN Ewenny Priory / Priordy Ewenni (off A48 / oddi ar yr A48) nr Bridgend / ger Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr CF35 5BW Fonmon Castle / Castell Ffwl-y-mwn Castle Road, Fonmon nr Barry / Ffwl-y-mwn ger y Barri CF62 3ZN WMC - Wales Millennium Centre / CMC - Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru Bute Place / Plas Bute, Cardiff / Caerdydd CF10 5AL RWCMD - Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama / CBCDC - Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru Cathays Park / Parc Cathays, Cardiff / Caerdydd, CF10 3ER St Donats Arts Centre / Canolfan Gelfyddydau Sain Dunwyd Llantwit Major / Llanilltud Fawr CF61 1WF
Enriching lives through Chinese language and culture
Official Festival Hotel
Vale of Glamorgan Festival Ltd · Gwyl Bro Morgannwg Cyf Chairman / Cadeirydd David Williams Artistic Director / Cyfarwyddwr Artistig John Metcalf General Manager / Rheolwr Cyffredinol Jennifer Hill Festival Office / Swyddfa’r Gw ˆ yl: 8 Kelvin Road, Roath Park / Y Rhath, Cardiff / Caerdydd CF23 5ET Registered in Wales No / Cofrestredig yng Nghymru Rhif 1862934 Charity No / Rhif Elusen 519044 · VAT No / Rhif TAW GB 331 0709 00
to the 2012 Vale of Glamorgan Festival
And we will continue to present their music in a range of remarkable venues - from medieval castles and churches to state of the art concert halls; performances that embrace both the might of the symphony orchestra and the intimacy of the chamber ensemble. If some of the names in this brochure are new to you and the music unfamiliar then take time to visit our website (www.valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk) where you can find out more about the composers and listen to extracts of the music. Watch out too, for the talks taking place during the festival and join us as composers, musicians and artists explore in detail the works that will be performed.
We look forward to seeing you.
croeso ...
ˆ yl Bro Morgannwg 2012 iW
– blwyddyn bwysig yn ein hanes wrth i ni symud y digwyddiad o ddechrau’r hydref i’r gwanwyn ac ar yr un pryd gyflwyno ein gwˆ yl fwyaf uchelgeisiol hyd yn hyn. Fodd bynnag, erys dwy o brif nodweddion arbennig yr wˆyl yn ddigyfnewid. Byddwn yn aros yn ffyddlon i’n hymrwymiad i ddathlu gwaith cyfansoddwyr sy’n fyw heddiw, gan nodi ar hyd y ffordd dau ben blwydd pwysig - Philip Glass yn 75 oed a Per Nørgård yn 80 – yn ogystal ag edrych ar gerddoriaeth Gavin Bryars, Craig Vear, Qigang Chen a rhai o’i gyfoeswyr Tsieineaidd. Gan y byddwn yn parhau i gyflwyno eu cerddoriaeth mewn amrywiaeth o ganolfannau hynod – o gestyll ac eglwysi canoloesol i’r neuaddau cyngerdd diweddaraf; perfformiadau sy’n coleddu grym y gerddorfa symffoni ac agosatrwydd yr ensemble siambr. Os yw rhai o’r enwau yn y llyfryn hwn yn newydd i chi a’r gerddoriaeth yn anghyfarwydd, cymerwch yr amser i ymweld â’n gwefan (www.valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk) lle y gallwch gael gwybod mwy am y cyfansoddwyr a gwrando ar ddarnau o’u cerddoriaeth. Cadwch lygad yn agored hefyd am y sgyrsiau a fydd yn digwydd yn ystod yr wˆyl ac ymunwch â ni wrth i gyfansoddwyr, cerddorion ac artistiaid edrych yn fanwl ar y gwaith a fydd yn cael ei berfformio.
Edrychwn ymlaen at eich gweld.
music that marks the power of the natural world Commissioned by the Vale of Glamorgan Festival, Craig Vear’s Three Last Letters commemorates the centenary of Robert Scott’s last days in Antarctica. The work draws on the composer’s field recordings from the region taken during his stay with the British Antarctic Society along with the writings of Scott who famously set sail from Cardiff on his ill fated expedition. Gavin Bryars’ The Sinking of the Titanic mirrors the last moments of the doomed voyage and reports of the band playing the hymn ‘Autumn’ as the ship went down. Refrains from the hymn weave in and out of the work as waves of sound gradually build, vividly evoking the massive bulk of the vessel and the ocean that swallowed it. The result is heart-achingly intimate and direct.
cerddoriaeth sy’n ein hatgoffa o rym byd natur ˆ yl Bro Morgannwg, mae Three Last Letters gan Craig Vear yn Wedi’i gomisiynau gan W coffáu canmlwyddiant diwrnodau olaf Robert Scott yn yr Antarctig. Mae’r gwaith yn tynnu ar recordiadau maes a wnaethpwyd yn y rhanbarth gan y cyfansoddwr yn ystod ei arhosiad gyda Chymdeithas yr Antarctig Prydain ynghyd ag ysgrifau Scott a hwyliodd o Gaerdydd ar ei antur drychinebus olaf. Mae The Sinking of the Titanic gan Gavin Bryars yn cyfleu munudau olaf y fordaith dyngedfennol ac adroddiadau am y band yn chwarae’r emyn ‘Autumn’ wrth i’r llong suddo. Mae byrdynau’r emyn yn ymweu drwy’r gwaith wrth iddo greu tonnau o swˆn sy’n cynyddu’n raddol gan gyfleu’n fywiog anferthedd y llong a’r cefnfor a’i llyncodd. Mae’r effaith yn uniongyrchol ac yn hiraethlon agosatoch.
Tuesday 1 May | Nos Fawrth 1 Mai 7.30pm MEMORIAL HALL BARRY · NEUADD GOFFA’R BARRI
Gavin Bryars Ensemble | Ensemble Gavin Bryars Gavin Bryars Gavin Bryars Gavin Bryars Gavin Bryars Gavin Bryars Gavin Bryars Gavin Bryars Gavin Bryars
Lauda 42 Salutiam divotamente * Lauda 13 Stomme allegro Lauda 19 Omne homo Lauda 41 De la crudel morte de Cristo It Never Rains Lauda 4 Oi me lasso Lauda 28 Amor dolçe sença pare The Sinking of the Titanic
the ice sings Captain Robert Scott
6' 5' 4' 6' 40'
£12 (£5)
Monday 7 May | Nos Lun 7 Mai 8.30pm ART CENTRAL BARRY · Y BARRI
Open Work Ensemble Ensemble Open Work Craig Vear Three Last Letters (in memoriam / er cof am Capt. Scott, Dr. Wilson & Lt. Bowers) *
Craig Vear yn sgwrsio â Jean McNeil am ei breswyliad yn yr Antarctig a’i ddylanwad ar ei gyfansoddiad
whilst motion lasts there is continuous music ...
3'
*Vale of Glamorgan Festival commission - world premiere / Comisiwn Gwˆyl Bro Morgannwg – y perfformiad cyntaf yn fyd-eang
7.45pm Craig Vear talks to Jean McNeil about his residency in the Antarctic and its influence on his composition
THE EDGE OF THE ICE SHEET SPLITS AS IT RISES AND SLIDES
6' 4'
30'
*Vale of Glamorgan Festival commission - world premiere / Comisiwn Gwˆyl Bro Morgannwg – y perfformiad cyntaf yn fyd-eang
£8 (£3)
2012 marks the 80th birthday of Per Nørgård, one of the most important and influential Danish composers since Carl Nielsen. His love of the natural world has had a profound effect on his music - the symmetrical formations found in the physical world directly inspiring his approach to musical structure and the creation of the ‘infinity’ series. As Nørgård says, nature “is certainly very complicated, but even so a great simplicity shows through. I am attempting to get the same thing in my music”.
i dream of a sort of music
Also from Denmark is this year’s resident festival ensemble - Ensemble Midtvest. Consisting of a string quartet, wind quintet and pianist, the group brings together 10 outstanding players, all specialists in chamber music and distinguished soloists in their own right. The ensemble is renowned for its ambitious programming, pushing the boundaries of the traditional classical concert and enthralling in which the musical forms provide both audiences with its creativity a foreground and a background for each other ... and musicianship.
2012 yw pen blwydd Per Nørgård yn 80 oed, un o gyfansoddwyr pwysicaf a mwyaf dylanwadol Denmarc ers Carl Nielsen. Mae ei gariad tuag at fyd natur wedi cael effaith bellgyrhaeddol ar ei gerddoriaeth, gyda’r ffurfiadau cymesur yn y byd ffisegol yn ysbrydoli’n uniongyrchol ei ymagwedd tuag at strwythur cerddorol a chreu’r cyfresi ‘anfeidredd’. Fel y dywed Nørgård, mae byd natur “yn gymhleth iawn yn ddi-os ond hyd yn oed wedyn mae rhyw symlrwydd mawr i’w weld drwyddi draw. Dw i’n ceisio cael yr un peth yn fy ngherddoriaeth.”
jeg drommer om en musik
Hefyd o Ddenmarc y mae ensemble yr wˆyl eleni - Ensemble Midtvest. Yn cynnwys pedwarawd llinynnol, pumawd chwythbrennau a phianydd, mae’r grwˆp yn dod â 10 o offerynwyr rhagorol ynghyd, i gyd yn arbenigwyr ym maes cerddoriaeth siambr ac yn unawdwyr sy’n nodedig ynddynt eu hunain. Mae’r ensemble yn enwog oherwydd ei raglennu uchelgeisiol sy’n gwthio ffiniau’r cyngerdd clasurol traddodiadol, ac yn swyno i hvilken de musikalske former danner cynulleidfaoedd â’i greadigrwydd forgrund og baggrund for hinanden ... a’i allu cerddorol.
PER NøRGåRD
Preswyliad Ensemble Midtvest Residency
PER NøRGåRD
Wednesday 2 May | Dydd Mercher 2 Mai 1pm
Thursday 3 May | Nos Iau 3 Mai 7.30pm
GLANFA STAGE, WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE LLWYFAN Y LANFA, CANOLFAN MILENIWM CYMRU
EWENNY PRIORY · PRIORDY EWENNI
Peter Bruun Pear Tear Drops Per Nørgård Images of Arreso John Metcalf Rest in Reason, Move in Passion
Candlelight Concert | Cyngerdd yng ngolau Canhwyllau 20' 16' 15'
Free / Yn ddi-dâl
Wednesday 2 May | Dydd Mercher 2 Mai ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC & DRAMA /COLEG BRENHINOL CERDD A DRAMA CYMRU
6.15pm
Foyer Showcase / Sioe Arddangos yn y Cyntedd
Free / Yn ddi-dâl The ensemble is joined by students of the college for a performance that includes
new works written by composition undergraduates Mae myfyrwyr y coleg yn ymuno â’r ensemble ar gyfer perfformiad sy’n cynnwys gwaith newydd a luniwyd gan israddedigion cyfansoddi 7.30pm Discovering New Music - Per Nørgård £8 (£3) An illustrated talk in the Dora Stoutzker Hall exploring the music of Per Nørgård and including a complete performance of Spell Sgwrs ag enghreifftiau yn Neuadd Dora Stoutzker sy’n edrych ar gerddoriaeth Per Nørgård gan gynnwys perfformiad o Spell yn ei gyfanrwydd.
Per Nørgård Matthew Jones Matthew Hindson Per Nørgård John Metcalf
Whirls’ World String Quartet No 1 (Deletia) Chrissietina’s Magic Fantasy Spell Rest in Reason, Move in Passion
15' 12' 10' 18' 15'
There are few more atmospheric settings for a chamber concert than the magnificent twelfth century Ewenny Priory Church, particularly when bathed in the glow of candlelight. Against this fabulous backdrop members of Ensemble Midtvest showcase their virtuosic skills in a diverse programme that ranges from the blistering pace of Chrissietina’s Magic Fantasy to the meditative serenity of Rest in Reason, Move in Passion. Ychydig iawn o leoliadau ar gyfer cyngherddau siambr sydd â mwy o naws nag eglwys ysblennydd Priordy Ewenni sy’n dyddio o’r ddeuddegfed ganrif, yn enwedig pan fydd yn cael ei oleuo drwyddi â golau meddal canhwyllau. Yn erbyn y gefnlen gyfareddol hon, bydd aelodau Ensemble Midtvest yn dangos eu medrau meistrolgar mewn rhaglen sy’n amrywio o fwrlwm carlamus Chrissietina’s Magic Fantasy i naws dawel a myfyriol Rest in Reason, Move in Passion. £15 (£8)
nothing is better than music
... it has done more for us than we have the right to hope for NADIA BOULANGER
Although geographically worlds apart Chen, Glass and Nørgård have all lived and worked in Paris. Both Glass and Nørgård studied in the city with Nadia Boulanger and are linked in their fascination with hypnotic, simple and yet sophisticated music which endlessly rotates and transforms in mesmerising patterns. Written shortly after his move from China to France, Chen’s Yuan displays his distinctive calling card of Eastern and Western sounds with a particular nod in the direction of Messiaen and Debussy.
Friday 4 May | Dydd Gwener 4 Mai 1.15pm DORA STOUTZKER HALL, ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC & DRAMA NEUADD DORA STOUTZKER, COLEG BRENHINOL CERDD A DRAMA CYMRU
The Mavron Quartet | Pedwarawd Mavron Gareth Wood Philip Glass
String Quartet * New work by student of RWCMD / Gwaith newydd gan un o fyfyrwyr CBCDC * String Quartet No 2 (Company)
£7 (£5)
The Mavron Quartet, our ‘Young Artists in Residence’ was formed whilst the quartet’s members were studying at the college. They return with a concert of two new works played alongside Philip Glass’s lyrical second quartet which began as a score to a stage dramatisation of Samuel Beckett’s prose poem Company.
Saturday 5 May | Nos Sadwrn 5 Mai 8.30pm CHAPTER, CARDIFF / CAERDYDD
Friday 4 May | Nos Wener 4 Mai 7pm BBC HODDINOTT HALL, WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE NEUADD HODDINOTT Y BBC, CANOLFAN MILENIWM CYMRU
BBC National Orchestra of Wales Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC
£12 (£5)
8'
* World premiere / Y perfformiadau cyntaf yn fyd-eang
Zane Banks electric guitar / gitâr drydan
conductor / arweinydd violin / feiolin
Qigang Chen Yuan Per Nørgård Symphony No 2 Philip Glass Violin Concerto
8'
Wedi’i ffurfio tra buont yn astudio yn y coleg, mae aelodau’r pedwarawd yn dychwelyd gyda chyngerdd sy’n cynnwys dau ddarn newydd sy’n cael eu perfformio ochr yn ochr ag ail bedwarawd telynegol Philip Glass a ddechreuodd fel sgôr ar gyfer addasiad i’r llwyfan o’r gerdd Company gan Samuel Beckett.
Er ymhell oddi wrth ei gilydd yn ddaearyddol, mae Chen, Glass a Nørgård i gyd wedi byw a gweithio ym Mharis. Bu Glass a Nørgård ill dau’n astudio yn y ddinas â Nadia Boulanger ac maent yn gysylltiedig oherwydd y ffordd y maent yn cael eu cyfareddu gan gerddoriaeth sy’n hypnotig, syml ac eto’n soffistigedig ac sy’n cylchdroi’n ddiddiwedd ac yn ei drawsnewid ei hun mewn patrymau mesmerig. Wedi’i chyfansoddi ychydig ar ôl iddo symud o Tsieina i Ffrainc, mae Yuan gan Chen yn amlygu ei gyfuniad unigryw o seiniau o’r Dwyrain a’r Gorllewin gan amneidio’n arbennig tuag at Messiaen a Debussy.
Clark Rundell Chloë Hanslip
25'
16' 22' 30'
Georges Lentz Ingwe from Mysterium (Caeli enarrant ... VII) * * UK premiere / Y perfformiadau cyntaf yn y DU
60'
7.30pm Pre concert talk with Georges Lentz and Zane Banks Sgwrs cyn y cyngerdd â Georges Lentz a Zane Banks
£8 (£3)
Inspired by time spent in the Australian outback, Ingwe (an aboriginal word for night) evokes a spiritual journey taken by the composer, one he has described as ‘a desperate shout to the heavens’. From Jimi Hendrix-like walls of sound to peaceful stretches of quiet meditation, the music depicts on the one hand, the radiant night sky in the silent vastness of the desert and, on the other the dark night of the soul. Wedi’i ysbrydoli gan amser a dreuliwyd yn nhiroedd gwyllt Awstralia, mae Ingwe (gair brodorol am nos) yn cyfleu taith ysbrydol a wnaed gan y cyfansoddwr – taith y mae wedi’i disgrifio fel ‘gwaedd mewn anobaith i’r nefoedd’. O waliau swˆn yn null Jimi Hendrix i ddarnau myfyriol a thawel estynedig, mae’r gerddoriaeth yn cyfleu ar y naill law, wybren befriol y nos yn ehangder distaw y diffeithwch ac, ar y llall, nos dywyll yr enaid.
When I struck out in my own music language
I took a step out of the world of serious music
Sunday 6 May | Prynhawn Sul 6 Mai 5pm FONMON CASTLE, nr BARRY / CASTELL FFWL-Y-MWN, ger Y BARRI
Strawberries, Strings and Champagne with
4pm Champagne Reception Derbyniad Swigod
The Mavron Quartet
ACCORDING TO MOST OF MY TEACHERS ...
Mefus, Llinynnau a Swigod gyda
Phedwarawd Mavron
Celebrating his 75th birthday this year, Philip Glass is perhaps the world’s best-known living composer. His swirling, propulsive style has penetrated almost all aspects of modern music, be it the concert hall, the film soundtrack or the TV commercial.
Philip Glass Tom Green Philip Glass
Many believe that Glass’s string quartets contain his most intimate music. Following in the tradition of many composers before him, they are works through which Glass holds up a mirror to himself and his way of composing. The exquisite surroundings of Fonmon Castle provide a perfect setting for the performance of two of his quartets - thoughtful, measured works infused with a beguiling power.
22'
£18 (£10) including pre-concert reception / gan gynnwys derbyniad cyn y cyngerdd
Tuesday 8 May | Nos Fawrth 8 Mai 7.30pm COWBRIDGE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL YSGOL GYFUN Y BONT FAEN
Gilt Ensemble | Ensemble Gilt
Ac yntau’n dathlu ei ben blwydd yn 75 oed eleni, efallai mai Philip Glass yw’r cyfansoddwr mwyaf adnabyddus yn y bydd sydd ar dir y byw heddiw. Mae ei arddull chwyrlïog a hyrddiol wedi treiddio i bron pob agwedd ar gerddoriaeth fodern, boed yn y neuadd gyngerdd, trac sain i ffilmiau neu’r hysbyseb deledu.
Ceir cipolwg hynod ddiddorol ar y cyfansoddwr yn ffilm fanwl a syfrdanol Peter Greenaway am Glass. Mae’n ymgorffori perfformiadau a sgyrsiau â Glass ac amdano, gan greu profiad sy’n ymestyn y tu hwnt i’r gerddoriaeth yn unig i edrych ar ei gysyniadau ac i fynegi ei bersonoliaeth. Yn dilyn y dangosiad bydd y Ensemble Gilt yn perfformio Glassworks, casgliad o chwe darn byr, prydferth, swynol a theimladwy iawn.
16' 10'
*Vale of Glamorgan Festival commission - world premiere / Comisiwn Gwˆyl Bro Morgannwg – y perfformiad cyntaf yn fyd-eang
A fascinating insight to Glass is offered by Peter Greenaway’s startling and intimate film about the composer. It incorporates performances and conversations with and about Glass, creating an experience that extends beyond the music alone to explore his concepts and express his personality. Following the screening, the Gilt Ensemble will perform Glassworks, a collection of six short pieces - beautiful, haunting and very moving.
Mae llawer un yn credu bod pedwarawdau llinynnol Glass yn cynnwys ei gerddoriaeth fwyaf agosatoch. Yn dilyn yn nhraddodiad llawer o gyfansoddwyr o’i flaen, gweithiau ydynt lle mae Glass yn dal drych iddo’i hun a’i ffordd o gyfansoddi. Mae amgylchiadau cain Castell Ffwl-y-mwn yn cynnig cefnlen berffaith at berfformio dau o’i bedwarawdau – darnau ystyriol, pwyllog sydd wedi’u trwytho â rhyw rym hudolus.
String Quartet No 3 Black Mirror for String Quartet * String Quartet No 5
Film Screening / Dangosiad Ffilm Four American Composers - Philip Glass
50'
Philip Glass
40'
Glassworks
£12 (£5)
... BUT
I didn't care I could row the boat by myself ... I didn’t need to be on the big liner with everybody else PHILIP GLASS
The Chinese believe that music is an expression of harmony that exists among heaven, earth and man, and that nature has provided man with eight kinds of materials to build musical instruments. Therefore traditionally, Chinese instruments are also classified according to the type of material they are made from. They are stone, metal, silk, bamboo, wood, skin, gourd and clay. We welcome to Wales for the first time an ensemble made up of China’s finest instrumentalists playing a range of Chinese classical instruments among them the di (bamboo flute), pipa (lute), zheng (zither) and erhu (a two stringed violin).
Tuesday 8 May Nos Fawrth 8 Mai 7.30pm
These two concerts offer a tantalising glimpse of China’s rich musical culture as arrangements of traditional pieces are played alongside works by three generations of living composers - works that reflect a thriving classical music scene that the West is just beginning to discover.
ARTS HALL, TRINITY SAINT DAVID, LAMPETER NEUADD Y CELFYDDYDAU, PRIFYSGOL CYMRU Y DRINDOD DEWI SANT, LLANBEDR PONT STEFFAN
Cred y Tsieiniaid fod cerddoriaeth yn mynegi’r cytgord sy’n bodoli rhwng y nefoedd, y ddaear a phobl a bod natur wedi rhoi i ddynol ryw wyth math o ddeunydd i wneud offerynnau cerddorol. Felly, yn draddodiadol, mae offerynnau Tsieineaidd hefyd yn cael eu dosbarthu yn ôl y math o ddeunydd y maent yn cael eu gwneud ohono, sef carreg, metel, sidan, bambwˆ, pren, croen, gowrd a chlai. Rydym yn croesawu i Gymru am y tro cyntaf, ensemble sy’n cynnwys offerynwyr gorau Tsieina yn chwarae amrywiaeth o offerynnau clasurol Tsieineaidd, yn eu plith y di (ffliwt bambwˆ) y pipa (liwt), y zheng (sither) a’r erhu (feiolin â dwy dant). Mae’r ddau gyngerdd hyn yn cynnig cipolwg gogleisiol ar ddiwylliant cerddorol cyfoethog Tsieina wrth i drefniannau o ddarnau traddodiadol gael eu chwarae ochr yn ochr â gwaith gan dair cenhedlaeth o gyfansoddwyr sy’n fyw heddiw – gwaith sy’n adlewyrchu sin cerddoriaeth glasurol ffyniannus y mae’r Gorllewin newydd ddechrau ei darganfod.
Messiaen was the first person who encouraged me to compose truthfully and find myself ...
I discovered that as a Chinese person
my own traditional music is full of character AND COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM ANYTHING IN WESTERN CULTURE QIGANG CHEN
Wednesday 9 May Nos Fercher 9 Mai 7.30pm ST DONATS ARTS CENTRE CANOLFAN GELFYDDYDAU SAIN DUNWYD
6.30pm Pre performance talk by Qigang Chen Sgwrs cyn y perfformiad gan Qigang Chen
Soloists of Traditional Chinese Instruments Unawdwyr Offerynnau Traddodiadol Tsieineaidd arr. traditional / tref. traddodiadol Liu Dehai improvisation / gwaith byrfyfyr Gao Weijie arr. traditional / tref. traddodiadol Zhang Xiaofu arr. traditional / tref. traddodiadol Chang Jing improvisation / gwaith byrfyfyr
Xing Jie (Strolling the streets) Qin Yong (Terra Cotta Warriors) di/zheng Shao Enchanting Night over the Spring River Ying (Chants) Three, Five, Seven Shadow of the Flowers pipa/erhu
Qigang Chen
San Xiao (Three bursts of laughter)
6' 10' 7' 6' 8' 10' 5' 5' 10' 6'
all UK premieres / I gyd yn berfformiadau am y tro cyntaf yn y DU
£12 (£5)
第一个鼓励我以真实的自我去创作音乐的人即是梅西安大师。作为一个中国人， 我发现了原来我自己国家的传统音乐如此丰富多彩，与西方文化截然不同。
Thursday 10 May | Nos Iau 10 Mai 7.30pm
Friday 11 May | Nos Wener 11 Mai 7pm
ALL SAINTS CHURCH, PENARTH EGLWYS YR HOLL SAINT, PENARTH
BBC HODDINOTT HALL, WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE NEUADD HODDINOTT Y BBC, CANOLFAN MILENIWM CYMRU
Ars Nova Copenhagen
BBC National Orchestra of Wales Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC
Søren Kinch Hansen
conductor / arweinydd
Pelle Gudmundsen Holmgreen Three Stages Arvo Pärt The Deer’s Cry Arvo Pärt Most Holy Mother of God Arvo Pärt Morning Star Per Nørgård Maya Dances Per Nørgård Agnus Dei Per Nørgård The Year Peter Bannister Bangor Antiphonary* Gavin Bryars Psalm 141* Steve Reich (arr. Hillier) Clapping Music Anne Boyd As I crossed a bridge of dreams
16' 4' 4' 3' 3' 2'
“Ars Nova’s sound is rarefied and superbly focused ... This is music of rare skill and beauty, magnificently sung” MusicWeb International
13'
Pascal Rophé Li-Wei Qin Elizabeth Atherton tba tba Jia Li Jing Chang Nan Wang
conductor / arweinydd cello / soddgrwth soprano soprano voice of the Beijing Opera / llais Opera Beijing pipa zheng erhu
Philip Glass Per Nørgård Qigang Chen Qigang Chen
The Olympian Iris Reflet d’un temps disparu * Iris unveiled *
15' 5' 4' 11'
* Commissioned by Soli Deo Gloria for the 2012 Vale of Glamorgan Festival – World premiere / ˆ yl Bro Morgannwg 2012 – y perfformiad cyntaf yn fyd-eang Comisiynwyd gan Soli Deo Gloria i W
£12 (£5)
5' 13' 25' 41'
* UK premieres / Y perfformiadau am y tro cyntaf yn y DU
£12 (£5)
Ars Nova Copenhagen is widely recognised as one of the finest vocal groups in Europe. Twice nominated for the prestigious American Grammy Awards, the Danish ensemble is in much demand, regularly touring across Europe, North and South America and Asia. A deeply spiritual vein runs through the concert they will be giving at All Saints Church, Penarth which includes works by composers the choir has regularly collaborated with, including world premieres by Peter Bannister and Gavin Bryars. “a consistently ravishing sound” New York Times
Cydnabyddir Ars Nova Copenhagen yn eang fel un o’r grwpiau lleisiol gorau yn Ewrop. Wedi’i enwebu ddwywaith i’r gwobrau Americanaidd enwog Grammy, mae galw mawr am yr ensemble o Ddenmarc, sy’n teithio’n rheolaidd ar draws Ewrop, Gogledd a De America ac Asia. Mae gwythïen ysbrydol ddofn yn rhedeg trwy’r cyngerdd y byddant yn ei gyflwyno yn Eglwys yr Holl Saint, Penarth, sy’n cynnwys gwaith gan gyfansoddwyr y mae’r eglwys wedi cydweithredu â nhw’n rheolaidd ac yn eu mysg perfformiadau am y tro cyntaf yn fyd-eang gan Peter Bannister a Gavin Bryars.
The mythical figure of Iris, goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the Olympian gods, provides inspiration to both Per Nørgård and Qigang Chen. For Nørgård it is her personification in nature that inspired his stunning orchestral work, rich in sounds that represent a spectrum of glittering colour; for Chen it is Iris, the woman who grabs his imagination as he portrays “the eternal feminine and its multiple facets” through nine movements that subtly integrate traditional Chinese instruments and a Beijing operatic soprano with a large classical orchestra and two Western sopranos. Mae ffigur mytholegol Iris, duwies yr enfys a negesydd y duwiau Olympaidd, yn rhoi ysbrydoliaeth i Per Nørgård a Qigang Chen fel ei gilydd. I Nørgård, ei phersonoliad yn natur a ysbrydolodd ei waith cerddorfaol syfrdanol, sy’n llawn synau sy’n cynrychioli sbectrwm o liw disglair; i Chen, Iris y ddynes sy’n cipio ei ddychymyg wrth iddo bortreadu’r ‘benywaidd tragwyddol amlweddog’ drwy naw symudiad sy’n cyfuno’n gynnil offerynnau traddodiadol Tsieineaidd a soprano operatig o Beijing â cherddorfa glasurol fawr a dwy soprano o’r Gorllewin.
festival diary Tuesday 1 May 7.30pm Mawrth 1 Mai
Gavin Bryars Ensemble Ensemble Gavin Bryars
Memorial Hall, Barry Neuadd Goffa’r Barri
Wednesday 2 May 1pm Mercher 2 Mai 6.15pm
Ensemble Midtvest
Glanfa Stage, WMC / Llwyfan y Lanfa, CMC
Ensemble Midtvest
RWCMD Foyer CBCDC
7.30pm
Discovering New Music - Per Nørgård’s Spell Darganfod Cerddioriaeth Newydd - Swyn Per Nørgård
Dora Stoutzker Hall, RWCMD Neuadd Dora Stoutzker, CBCDC
Thursday 3 May Iau 3 Mai
Ensemble Midtvest
Ewenny Priory / Priordy Ewenni
Friday 4 May 1.15pm Gwener 4 Mai
Mavron String Quartet Pedwarawd Llinynnol Mavron
Dora Stoutzker Hall, RWCMD Neuadd Dora Stoutzker, CBCDC
7pm
BBC National Orchestra of Wales Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC
BBC Hoddinott Hall, WMC Neuadd Hoddinott y BBC, CMC
7.30pm
Saturday 5 May 8.30pm Zane Banks Sadwrn 5 Mai
Chapter
Sunday 6 May 5pm Sul 6 Mai
Strawberries, Strings and Champagne with Mavron String Quartet Mefus, Llinynnau a Swigod gyda Phedwarawd Llinynnol Mavron
Monday 7 May 8.30pm Llun 7 Mai
Open Work Ensemble Ensemble Open Work
Art Central Barry Art Central y Barri
Tuesday 8 May Mawrth 8 Mai
Gilt Ensemble Ensemble Gilt
Cowbridge Comprehensive School Ysgol Gyfun y Bont Faen
Soloists of Traditional Chinese Instruments Unawdwyr Offerynnau Traddodiadol Tsieneaidd
Arts Hall, Trinity Saint David Lampeter Neuadd y Celfyddydau, Prifysol Cymru y Drindod Dewi Sant, Llanbedr Pont Steffan
7.30pm
7.30pm
Fonmon Castle
Castell Ffwl-y-mwn
Wednesday 9 May 7.30pm Mercher 9 Mai
Soloists of Traditional Chinese Instruments Unawdwyr Offerynnau Traddodiadol Tsieneaidd
St Donats Arts Centre Canolfan Gelfyddydau Sain Dunwyd
Thursday 10 May 7.30 pm Iau 10 Mai
Ars Nova Copenhagen
All Saints Church Penarth Eglwys yr Holl Saint Penarth
Friday 11 May 7pm Gwener 11 Mai
BBC National Orchestra of Wales Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC
BBC Hoddinott Hall, WMC Neuadd Hoddinott y BBC, CMC
BOOKING
029 2039 1391 www.rwcmd.ac.uk www.cbcdc.ac.uk
ARCHEBU
www.valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk