Composer commissioned to write music for University
Friday, February 20th, 2009 | Concert works, Music, Univeristy | No Comments
An award winning composer has written four brass band fanfares, inspired by Welsh hero Owain Glyndŵr, to mark the inauguration of Glyndŵr University.
Owain Llwyd, who was born in Glyndyfrdwy, near Corwen, was commissioned to write the Glyndŵr Fanfares ahead of the University’s event in Wrexham on Saturday 28 February.
The pieces – named Awakening, Progression, Unity and Vision - reflect upon Owain Glyndŵr’s dream for Wales as a nation, governing itself with its own institutions and universities.
Mr Llwyd was awarded a prestigious White Order of the Gorsedd of Bards in 2004 for his services to music in Wales. He has written for the London Symphony Orchestra and BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and his music for TV has appeared on ITV, Channel 4, S4C, the BBC and Sky.
Owain said he was proud to be involved in the first chapter of the life of Glyndŵr University.
“I am deeply honoured and excited to have been commissioned by Glyndŵr University to write new music for this historic event,” he said. “It isn’t every day that a new university comes into being, let alone one that bears the name of Wales’ greatest hero, Owain Glyndŵr. I share his first name and I grew up on his lands in Glyndyfrdwy, and that’s been a constant source of inspiration to me.”
As well as the fanfares, Owain has composed Gobaith Glyndŵr/The Hope of Glyndŵr to commemorate the inauguration of Glyndŵr University.
The work has been written specifically for world-renowned Welsh baritone Jeremy Huw Williams, organist Mervyn Cousins, the St Asaph Cathedral Choir conducted by Alan McGuinness, and Wrexham Brass Glyndŵr. It contains bilingual words written by Bangor University’s poet and scholar Peredur Glyn.
Professor Kate Sullivan, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Glyndŵr University, developed the programme of music for the event along with Professor Peter Toyne, who sits on Glyndŵr University’s Board of Governors.
“The music will be fitting of the occasion,” she said. “We’re privileged that we will be joined by so many well established figures from the world of music to help us celebrate this special day.”
The formal granting of University title was made by Her Majesty’s Privy Council on the 3 July 2008 and announced by the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, during a ceremony held in the same month.
The Inauguration of the University and the installation of the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor is the start of a year of celebration for the university.
More than 500 dignitaries associated with the university over the years are expected to attend the event, which will commence with a ceremony in St Mary’s Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Sorrows and culminate in the inauguration and installation ceremonies in the Parish Church of St Giles.
An academic procession taking place on the day of the event, Saturday 28 February, will cause a brief interruption to the flow of traffic at the junction of Mold Road where Grosvenor Road, Bradley Road and Regent Street meet. This will be from 11.20am-11.30am and then again from 1.15pm-1.30pm. Traffic will flow as normal outside of these times.
Celtic Media Festival Nominations 2009
Sunday, January 25th, 2009 | Film Music, Media Music, Music, Music in Education, Opera | No Comments
Two productions with music by Owain have been shortlisted for awards in this year’s ‘Celtic Media Festival’ to be held in Caernarfon, Wales in March 2009.
The first is under the ‘Arts’ category for BBC’s ‘Before Your Eyes: Cofi Opera’, a documentary following the story of an ambitious project to create a community opera on the Ysgubor Goch estate in Caernarfon. Owain wrote the music for the opera with the children as part of a music in education project run by Cofis Bach. Producer: Marc Edwards.
The second nomination is under the ‘Short Drama’ category for Rhys Edwards’ film ‘The Project’.
Synopsis: Dylan has an idea to try and convince American Tourists that they have stumbled into a musical. In preparing for this, he recruits Bob, a genius farmer who has ‘Shepherd’s Tourettes’ , and Ianto the Swear, a foul mouthed musician. After deciding on the setting and subject of the musical, Dylan rounds up the Americans to Castell Dolbadarn for a fitting finale.
The Festival is an annual three-day celebration of broadcasting, film talent and excellence from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany.
Carlamu - BBC Radio Show
Saturday, January 24th, 2009 | Media Music, Music | No Comments
Owain has just completed incidental music and titles for BBC Radio Cymru. The show is all about horses and is presented by Brychan Llyr.
More details to follow …
Composers of Wales / ‘Art Song’ Workshops
Saturday, January 24th, 2009 | Music, Music in Education | No Comments
In conjunction with ‘Composers of Wales’ and The Arts Council of Wales, during February and March Owain will be visiting 3 Welsh medium secondary schools in North Wales on a Music in Education project.
The aim of the project is for the A-Level Music Students to compose an ‘Art Song’. This will then be performed and recorded by a professional singer and pianist.
Slovak National Symphony Orchestra
Monday, November 3rd, 2008 | Film Music, Library Music, Music, Orchestral Works | No Comments
Owain has just returned from Bratislava where he recorded 15 cues of ‘epic action trailer music’ for Boosey & Hawkes with the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra was conducted by BATFA winning composer Bill Connor.
Straeon o’r Strade
Saturday, November 1st, 2008 | Media Music, Music | No Comments
Sunday 2 November 19:30 S4/C
Following the final whistle at Stradey Park, Llanelli, past and present rugby legends recall their fondest memories of the ground’s 129-year history.
Straeon o’r Strade, broadcast on Sunday, 2 November relives the history of the legendary Stradey Park through the eyes of supporters as well as past players . These include J.J. Williams, Phil Bennett, father and son duo Derek and Scott Quinnell, Handel Greville, Barry John, Rupert Moon, former player-turned-coach Gareth Jenkins, current outside-half Stephen Jones, current captain Simon Easterby and Llanelli’s oldest living former player, 92 year-old Harry Davies.
The programme will feature a host of special moments in the ground’s history since the gates first opened in 1879 - from the day the Scarlets beat New Zealand 9-3 in sensational fashion in 1972 and the three victories against Australia (1967, 1984 and 1992) to the legacy of rugby legend Ray Gravell, who died last year.
Owain Llwyd’s music can be heard throughout the programme to be broadcast on Sunday 2nd November at 7.30pm on S4/C.
Epic Action Trailer Music
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 | Film Music, Library Music | No Comments
Owain has been commissioned by ABACO music library (Boosey & Hawkes) to write 20 tracks of Epic Action Trailer Music for Orchestra and Choir. These will be recorded by the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra and The Riga Choir (Lativa). Due for release in Nov/Dec 2008.
The Sea - Radio Show
Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 | Media Music | No Comments
Owain provided the title and incidental music to Radio Cymru’s programme entitled ‘Straeon y Mor’ (Stories of the Sea).
Crusader - Film Trailer
Friday, August 1st, 2008 | Film Music, Music | No Comments
Crusader
Owain’s music can be found on this trailer to a film by Iwan Benneyworth.
THE PROJECT
Friday, August 1st, 2008 | Film Music | No Comments
Owain recently worked with Film-Maker Rhys Edwards on a short film entitled ‘The Project’. The film is about a Welshman and his friends try to trick American tourists into thinking they have walked into a musical.
This film required some underscoring and also a ‘Musical’ style main song. For this, Owain collaborated with poet Peredur Glyn Davies which resulted in the song ‘You Can’t Keep a Welshman Down’.
‘The Project’ has been accepted to ”The Best of 2008 Festival” at the Sefton Film Festival in Liverpool and will be screened on Friday 10th October.
Follow this link to view the film:
http://shootingpeople.org/watch/film.php?film_id=70415