valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk

MAI 1-11 MAY 2012

musical worldsdadorchuddio bydoedd cerddorol

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 (A £1.75 transaction fee applies to all online bookings with an optional postage charge of 70p)

Concessions (listed in brackets) apply to students, under 16s and disabled customers. Wheelchair companions are entitled to complimentary tickets.

Book for 4 concerts or more in a single advance booking and you will be entitled to a free festival programme book

GWYBODAETH ARCHEBU

Mae swyddfa docynnau’r wyl 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 wyl am ddim.

welcome ... to the 2012 Vale of Glamorgan Festival

– 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.

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.

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 ... i Wyl Bro Morgannwg 2012

– 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 gwyl fwyaf uchelgeisiol hyd yn hyn.

Fodd bynnag, erys dwy o brif nodweddion arbennig yr wyl 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 wyl 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.

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 Gwyl: 8 Kelvin Road, Roath Park / Y Rhath, Cardiff / Caerdydd CF23 5ETRegistered in Wales No / Cofrestredig yng Nghymru Rhif 1862934 Charity No / Rhif Elusen 519044 · VAT No / Rhif TAW GB 331 0709 00

The Festival gratefully acknowledges support from Mae’r Wyl yn cydnabod gyda diolch gefnogaeth gan:

Official Festival Hotel

Enriching lives through Chinese language and culture

VENUES / CANOLFANNAU

Information on venue locations can be found at our website www.valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk or can be sent out with your tickets on request

If you are uncertain about the access to a particular venue please call the box office on 029 2039 1391

Ceir gwybodaeth am leoliadau canolfannau ar ein gwefan www.valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk neu gellir ei hanfon gyda’ch tocynnau ar gais

Os ydych yn ansicr ynglyn â’r mynediad i ganolfan benodol ffoniwch y swyddfa docynnau ar 029 2039 1391

All Saints Church / Eglwys yr Holl Saint Victoria Square, Penarth CF64 3HQ / Sgwar Victoria, Penarth CF64 3HQ

Art Central Town Hall / Neuadd y Dref, King Square, Barry / Y Barri, CF63 4RW (Entrance via county library / Mynedfa drwy lyfrgell y sir)

Arts Hall / Neuadd y Celfyddydau Trinity St David, Lampeter SA48 7ED / Prifysgol Cymru y Drindod Dewi Sant, Llanbedr Pont Steffan SA48 7ED

Barry Memorial Hall / Neuadd Goffa’r Barri Gladstone Road, Barry / Y Barri, CF62 8NA

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

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.

Wedi’i gomisiynau gan Wyl Bro Morgannwg, mae Three Last Letters gan Craig Vear yn 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 swn 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.

music that marks the power of the natural world

cerddoriaeth sy ’n ein hatgoffa o rym byd natur

THE EDGE OF THE ICE SHEET SPLITS AS IT RISES AND SLIDES

whilst motion lasts there is continuous music ...

the ice singsCAPTAIN ROBERT SCOTT

Tuesday 1 May | Nos Fawrth 1 Mai 7.30pm

MEMORIAL HALL BARRY · NEUADD GOFFA’R BARRI

Gavin Bryars Ensemble | Ensemble Gavin BryarsGavin Bryars Lauda 42 Salutiam divotamente * 6'

Gavin Bryars Lauda 13 Stomme allegro 4'

Gavin Bryars Lauda 19 Omne homo 3'

Gavin Bryars Lauda 41 De la crudel morte de Cristo 6'

Gavin Bryars It Never Rains 5'

Gavin Bryars Lauda 4 Oi me lasso 4'

Gavin Bryars Lauda 28 Amor dolçe sença pare 6'

Gavin Bryars The Sinking of the Titanic 40'

*Vale of Glamorgan Festival commission - world premiere / Comisiwn Gwyl Bro Morgannwg – y perfformiad cyntaf yn fyd-eang

£12 (£5)

Monday 7 May | Nos Lun 7 Mai 8.30pm

ART CENTRAL BARRY · Y BARRI

Open Work Ensemble Ensemble Open WorkCraig Vear Three Last Letters (in memoriam / er cof am

Capt. Scott, Dr. Wilson & Lt. Bowers) * 30'

*Vale of Glamorgan Festival commission - world premiere / Comisiwn Gwyl Bro Morgannwg – y perfformiad cyntaf yn fyd-eang

£8 (£3)7.45pm Craig Vear talks to Jean McNeil about his residency in the Antarctic and its influence on his composition

Craig Vear yn sgwrsio â Jean McNeil am ei breswyliad yn yr Antarctig a’i ddylanwad ar ei gyfansoddiad

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”.

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 audiences with its creativity

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.”

Hefyd o Ddenmarc y mae ensemble yr wyl eleni - Ensemble Midtvest. Yn cynnwys pedwarawd llinynnol, pumawd chwythbrennau a phianydd, mae’r grwp 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 cynulleidfaoedd â’i greadigrwydd a’i allu cerddorol.

Wednesday 2 May | Dydd Mercher 2 Mai 1pm

GLANFA STAGE, WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE LLWYFAN Y LANFA, CANOLFAN MILENIWM CYMRU

Peter Bruun Pear Tear Drops 20'

Per Nørgård Images of Arreso 16'

John Metcalf Rest in Reason, Move in Passion 15'

Free / Yn ddi-dâl

Thursday 3 May | Nos Iau 3 Mai 7.30pm

EWENNY PRIORY · PRIORDY EWENNI

Candlelight Concert | Cyngerdd yng ngolau CanhwyllauPer Nørgård Whirls’ World 15'

Matthew Jones String Quartet No 1 (Deletia) 12'

Matthew Hindson Chrissietina’s Magic Fantasy 10'

Per Nørgård Spell 18'

John Metcalf Rest in Reason, Move in Passion 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)

Wednesday 2 May | Dydd Mercher 2 MaiROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC & DRAMA /COLEG BRENHINOL CERDD A DRAMA CYMRU

6.15pm Foyer Showcase / Sioe Arddangos yn y CynteddFree / 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.

Preswyliad Ensemble Midtvest Residency

i dream of a sort

of music in which the musical forms provide both

a foreground and a background for each other ...

PER NøRGåRD

jeg drommer

om en musiki hvilken de musikalske former danner

forgrund og baggrund for hinanden ...PER NøRGåRD

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.

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.

nothing is better than music ... it has done more for us than we have the right to hope for

NADIA BOULANGER

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 BBCClark Rundell conductor / arweinyddChloë Hanslip violin / feiolin

Qigang Chen Yuan 16'

Per Nørgård Symphony No 2 22'

Philip Glass Violin Concerto 30'

£12 (£5)

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 MavronGareth Wood String Quartet * 25'

New work by student of RWCMD / Gwaith newydd gan un o fyfyrwyr CBCDC * 8'

Philip Glass String Quartet No 2 (Company) 8'

* World premiere / Y perfformiadau cyntaf yn fyd-eang

£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.

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.

Saturday 5 May | Nos Sadwrn 5 Mai 8.30pm

CHAPTER, CARDIFF / CAERDYDD

Zane Banks electric guitar / gitâr drydan Georges Lentz Ingwe from Mysterium (Caelienarrant...VII) * 60'

* UK premiere / Y perfformiadau cyntaf yn y DU

£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 swn 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.

7.30pm Pre concert talk with Georges Lentz and Zane Banks Sgwrs cyn y cyngerdd â Georges Lentz a Zane Banks

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I DIDN’T NEED TO BE ON THE BIG LINER WITH EVERYBODY ELSE

Sunday 6 May | Prynhawn Sul 6 Mai 5pm

FONMON CASTLE, nr BARRY / CASTELL FFWL-Y-MWN, ger Y BARRI

Strawberries, Strings and Champagne with

The Mavron Quartet Mefus, Llinynnau a Swigod gyda

Phedwarawd Mavron Philip Glass String Quartet No 3 16'

Tom Green Black Mirror for String Quartet * 10'

Philip Glass String Quartet No 5 22'

*Vale of Glamorgan Festival commission - world premiere / Comisiwn Gwyl Bro Morgannwg – y perfformiad cyntaf yn fyd-eang

£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 GiltFilm Screening / Dangosiad Ffilm Four American Composers - Philip Glass 50'

Philip Glass Glassworks 40'

£12 (£5)

PHILIP GLASS

4pm Champagne Reception Derbyniad Swigod

WHEN I STRUCK OUT IN MY OWN MUSIC LANGUAGE

I COULD ROW THE BOAT BY MYSELF ...

I took a step out of the world of serious music

I didn't care... BUT

ACCORDING TO MOST OF MY TEACHERS ...

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).

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.

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, bambw, 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 bambw) 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.

Tuesday 8 May Nos Fawrth 8 Mai 7.30pm

ARTS HALL, TRINITY SAINT DAVID, LAMPETER NEUADD Y CELFYDDYDAU, PRIFYSGOL CYMRU Y DRINDOD DEWI SANT, LLANBEDR PONT STEFFAN

Wednesday 9 May Nos Fercher 9 Mai 7.30pm

ST DONATS ARTS CENTRE CANOLFAN GELFYDDYDAU SAIN DUNWYD

Soloists of Traditional Chinese Instruments Unawdwyr Offerynnau Traddodiadol Tsieineaiddarr. traditional / tref. traddodiadol Xing Jie (Strolling the streets) 6'

Liu Dehai Qin Yong (Terra Cotta Warriors) 10'

improvisation / gwaith byrfyfyr di/zheng 7'

Gao Weijie Shao 6'

arr. traditional / tref. traddodiadol Enchanting Night over the Spring River 8'

Zhang Xiaofu Ying (Chants) 10'

arr. traditional / tref. traddodiadol Three, Five, Seven 5'

Chang Jing Shadow of the Flowers 5'

improvisation / gwaith byrfyfyr pipa/erhu 10'

Qigang Chen San Xiao (Three bursts of laughter) 6'

all UK premieres / I gyd yn berfformiadau am y tro cyntaf yn y DU

£12 (£5)

6.30pm Pre performance talk by Qigang ChenSgwrs cyn y perfformiad gan Qigang Chen

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。

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

Thursday 10 May | Nos Iau 10 Mai 7.30pm

ALL SAINTS CHURCH, PENARTH EGLWYS YR HOLL SAINT, PENARTH

Ars Nova Copenhagen Søren Kinch Hansen conductor / arweinydd

Pelle Gudmundsen Holmgreen Three Stages 16'

Arvo Pärt The Deer’s Cry 4'

Arvo Pärt Most Holy Mother of God 4'

Arvo Pärt Morning Star 3'

Per Nørgård Maya Dances 3'

Per Nørgård Agnus Dei 2'

Per Nørgård The Year 13'

Peter Bannister Bangor Antiphonary* 15'

Gavin Bryars Psalm 141* 5'

Steve Reich (arr. Hillier) Clapping Music 4'

Anne Boyd As I crossed a bridge of dreams 11'

* Commissioned by Soli Deo Gloria for the 2012 Vale of Glamorgan Festival – World premiere / Comisiynwyd gan Soli Deo Gloria i Wyl Bro Morgannwg 2012 – y perfformiad cyntaf yn fyd-eang

£12 (£5)

Friday 11 May | Nos Wener 11 Mai 7pm

BBC HODDINOTT HALL, WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE NEUADD HODDINOTT Y BBC, CANOLFAN MILENIWM CYMRU

BBC National Orchestra of Wales Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBCPascal Rophé conductor / arweinyddLi-Wei Qin cello / soddgrwthElizabeth Atherton sopranotba sopranotba voice of the Beijing Opera / llais Opera BeijingJia Li pipaJing Chang zhengNan Wang erhu

Philip Glass The Olympian 5'

Per Nørgård Iris 13'

Qigang Chen Reflet d’un temps disparu * 25'

Qigang Chen Iris unveiled * 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.

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.

“Ars Nova’s sound is rarefied and

superbly focused ... This is music of rare

skill and beauty, magnificently sung”

MusicWeb International

“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.

valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk

MAI 1-11 MAY 2012

musical worldsdadorchuddio bydoedd cerddorol

festival diaryTuesday 1 May 7.30pm Gavin Bryars Ensemble Memorial Hall, Barry Mawrth 1 Mai Ensemble Gavin Bryars Neuadd Goffa’r Barri

Wednesday 2 May 1pm Ensemble Midtvest Glanfa Stage, WMC / Llwyfan y Lanfa, CMC

Mercher 2 Mai 6.15pm Ensemble Midtvest RWCMD Foyer CBCDC

7.30pm Discovering New Music - Per Nørgård’s Spell Dora Stoutzker Hall, RWCMD Darganfod Cerddioriaeth Newydd - Swyn Per Nørgård Neuadd Dora Stoutzker, CBCDC

Thursday 3 May 7.30pm Ensemble Midtvest Ewenny Priory / Priordy Ewenni

Iau 3 Mai

Friday 4 May 1.15pm Mavron String Quartet Dora Stoutzker Hall, RWCMD Gwener 4 Mai Pedwarawd Llinynnol Mavron Neuadd Dora Stoutzker, CBCDC

7pm BBC National Orchestra of Wales BBC Hoddinott Hall, WMC Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC Neuadd Hoddinott y BBC, CMC

Saturday 5 May 8.30pm Zane Banks Chapter

Sadwrn 5 Mai

Sunday 6 May 5pm Strawberries, Strings and Champagne Sul 6 Mai with Mavron String Quartet Fonmon Castle Mefus, Llinynnau a Swigod gyda Phedwarawd Llinynnol Mavron Castell Ffwl-y-mwn

Monday 7 May 8.30pm Open Work Ensemble Art Central Barry

Llun 7 Mai Ensemble Open Work Art Central y Barri

Tuesday 8 May 7.30pm Gilt Ensemble Cowbridge Comprehensive School

Mawrth 8 Mai Ensemble Gilt Ysgol Gyfun y Bont Faen

7.30pm Soloists of Traditional Chinese Instruments Arts Hall, Trinity Saint David Lampeter

Unawdwyr Offerynnau Traddodiadol Tsieneaidd Neuadd y Celfyddydau, Prifysol Cymru y

Drindod Dewi Sant, Llanbedr Pont Steffan

Wednesday 9 May 7.30pm Soloists of Traditional Chinese Instruments St Donats Arts Centre

Mercher 9 Mai Unawdwyr Offerynnau Traddodiadol Tsieneaidd Canolfan Gelfyddydau Sain Dunwyd

Thursday 10 May 7.30 pm Ars Nova Copenhagen All Saints Church Penarth

Iau 10 Mai Eglwys yr Holl Saint Penarth

Friday 11 May 7pm BBC National Orchestra of Wales BBC Hoddinott Hall, WMC

Gwener 11 Mai Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC Neuadd Hoddinott y BBC, CMC

BOOKING 029 2039 1391 www.rwcmd.ac.uk www.cbcdc.ac.uk ARCHEBU

www.valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk