Anniversary Special: A Welsh Quintet

Donald Macleod marks Composer of the Week's 80th anniversary

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 BBC's Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay, with the BBC 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.

Music Featured:

Morfydd Owen: Beti Bwt (Welsh Impressions) Dilys Elwyn-Edwards: The Cloths of Heaven Morfydd Owen: My luv's like a red, red rose Morfydd Owen: Nocturne for orchestra in D flat major Dilys Elwyn-Edwards: Lullaby for piano Dilys Elwyn-Edwards: Laudate Dominum Dilys Elwyn-Edwards: All that's past Dilys Elwyn-Edwards: Caneuon y Tri Aderyn Grace Williams: Symphony no. 2 (excerpt) Grace Williams: Ballads, IV: Allegro furioso Grace Williams: Fantasia on Welsh Nursery Tunes Grace Williams: Sea Sketches (excerpt) Grace Williams: Elegy Rhian Samuel: Four-and-a half Dancing Men (A Garland for Anne) Rhian Samuel: Little Duos for oboe and cor anglaise (Little Whispers) Rhian Samuel: A Perfect View Rhian Samuel: Gaslight Square II for piano duo Rhian Samuel: Love Bade me welcome Rhian Samuel: Salve nos Rhian Samuel: Time out of Time (excerpt) Rhian Samuel: Clytemnestra for female voice and orchestra (excerpt) Hilary Tann: From the Song of Amergin (excerpt) Hilary Tann: Nothing Forgotten (I: Andante maestoso) Hilary Tann: Llef for flute and cello (excerpt) Hilary Tann: Shakkei (II: Leggiero) Hilary Tann: Water's Edge (II: From the Riverbed) Hilary Tann: Seven peoms of stillness (I: The air a staircase for silence (Kneeling)) Hilary Tann: In the First, Spinning Place

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Johannah Smith for BBC Audio Wales and West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Anniversary Special: A Welsh Quintet https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001qfrt

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z