Eilir Owen Griffiths’ Requiem has been composed especially for a celebratory concert at Aberglasney Gardens with world-renowned baritone Bryn Terfel and tenor Wynne Evans, famous for his role in the Go Compare adverts. The concert is being held on Saturday 25th June 2011 as part of the Gwyl! Festival at University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
This new and exciting work by young composer Eilir Owen Griffiths presents a number of musical themes; it will primarily be sung in Latin to represent the ecclesiastical traditions of the University of Wales Lampeter and Trinity College Carmarthen, two of the oldest higher education institutions in Wales which have recently merged to create the new University of Wales Trinity Saint David. A lighter, musical theatre style will also belong to the work, due to the nature of Eilir’s work with the students at the University, and as the conductor of Côr Y Drindod Dewi Sant, who will perform at the concert along with two other choirs who also come under Eilir’s baton; Côr CF1 and Côr Godre’r Garth. The work will also reflect on the history of the two Universities with its references to traditional Welsh hymns.
Although the title Requiem suggests an association with death and mourning, essentially this work is a concert piece rather than liturgical work. Traditionally the sections within a requiem would include a ‘Dies Irae’ (the day of wrath). However on this occasion the composer has purposely left it out as he believes it’s irrelevant when referring to the two Universities.
Eilir says of his work: “I am very excited and honoured to have such world-renowned artists performing my work, along with my friends from the three choirs I conduct. For me personally, it will be a tremendously emotional evening at Aberglasney Gardens and one which I’m very much looking forward to.”
The text for the final movement of Requiem has been written by Welsh poet Mererid Hopwood, who became the first woman ever to win the Bardic Chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 2001. The finale speaks of hope for the future, as we enter the next chapter in the history of the two universities together.
The World Premiere of Requiem will be performed at Aberglasney Gardens at 7:00pm on 25th June 2011 with Bryn Terfel, Wynne Evans, Côr CF1, Côr Godre’r Garth and Côr Y Dindod Dewi Sant, conducted by Andrew Greenwood and accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra of Wales.
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