A BRAND new piece of music, composed by prominent choral director and composer Eilir Owen Griffiths, will be premiered during a Concert of Remembrance that will be held at Carmarthen’s Christ Church next Friday (Nov 11).
The composition, entitled ‘In Memoriam’, will be the centrepiece of a concert hosted by the High Sheriff of Dyfed, Professor Medwin Hughes DL, in partnership with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. The work will be performed by a group of exciting performers including Baritone Gary Griffiths; former UWTSD student, Tenor Rhodri Prys Jones; and current student, Soprano Anwen Dixon.
Another of the University’s current students, Josh Morgan, will narrate the piece while a select group of singers – Cantorion Eilir Owen Griffiths – will also perform.
The British Sinfonietta will be the orchestra for the event and the whole performance will be conducted by Eilir himself.
Eilir Owen Griffiths is a music lecturer at the university and is the course leader for the popular Welsh medium performance course – the BA Perfformio – which is based at the Gate Arts Centre in Cardiff. He also studied at the university in Carmarthen and has taught at the institution for the past 12 years.
As well as having more than 15 years experience as a Musical Director and a composer, Eilir is also the Musical Director for Llangollen International Eisteddfod. He has also won many awards for his work as a composer including ‘Tlws y Cerddor’ (Musician’s Award) at the National Eisteddfod in 2008 but says that In Memoriam is the most significant piece he’s composed to date.
“It was a great honour to be commissioned to write this piece by the High Sheriff of Dyfed to mark Armistice Day,” says Eilir.
“The piece – In Memoriam – will include 15 movements and will feature some of the most profound words ever written about conflict by a range of eminent figures, including Hedd Wyn, Anne Frank and Nelson Mandela. The work will also be intertwined with references to some of Wales’ best loved hymns and excerpts from a traditional Requiem including Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Benedictus, Cofutatis Maledicus, Pie Jesu and Libera Me.”
As well as featuring some well-known references, In Memoriam will also include new writing, including a poem entitled Penbleth written for Eilir by poet T. James Jones.
“In Memoriam has been an exciting piece to compose. It’s a thought-provoking work that discusses many questions and looks at a range of themes including war, peace, hope, loss and faith. The work will finish with an arrangement of the modern Welsh language hymn ‘Breuddwydio’ or ‘Dreams’, which encapsulates the main message of the piece,” continues Eilir.
In addition to being an exciting young composer, Eilir is a celebrated conductor and has led many different choirs over the years, including Cardiff-based Côr CF1; Côr Godre’r Garth and the Cardiff Blues Choir that was formed as part of the Codi Canu series on S4C. Eilir also conducts the University of Wales Trinity Saint David choir in Carmarthen.
“I’m really looking forward to presenting this work and am delighted to be able to do so in Carmarthen,” adds Eilir.
If you’d like to attend ‘Concert of Remembrance’ at Christ Church, Carmarthen on Friday (Nov 11), tickets are available from www.ticketsource. co.uk/tsd or by calling 0300 323 0015. The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets are priced at £15 for adults and £6 for children.
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