成人论坛 Wales Music
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Wyn Davies' second day at Llangollen International Eisteddfod
Only Men Aloud's Wyn Davies, presenter at this year's Llangollen International Eisteddfod, continues his reports from the festival. Yesterday was the first day of competition here at Llangollen and I was rushed off my feet. The Eisteddfod truly started at a gallop. It was the day of the youth...
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Wyn Davies on Llangollen International Eisteddfod
Only Men Aloud's Wyn Davies, presenter at this year's Llangollen International Eisteddfod, reveals his memories of performing at Llangollen when he was a child. I started competing in Llangollen when I was small, and luckily enough managed to win the junior folk song solo on two occasions - as a 10- and 11-year-old. I've got two Llangollen medals in pride of place in my mother's cabinet at home, so I've got a bit of an affinity with the place. Wyn Davies I used to look forward to it every year, and just enjoyed the whole experience, going to see the parade and being on the Maes. I always love the parade - I look forward to seeing all the people in traditional costumes celebrating their culture; it's very special. As well as giving a general flavour of the Eisteddfod, I'll be hooking up with two choirs that I filmed with in South Africa. One is the Fezeta choir, started in the Guguletu township just outside Cape Town who will be taking part in the Karl Jenkins concert. The other is the Pietermaritzburg Midlands Youth Choir, made up of pupils from 14 different schools with very different backgrounds, who will be competing. Given South Africa's recent past it's fantastic to see all these young people coming together just because they have this common interest in music. It's a massive stage to perform on. Particularly when I was a 10-year-old, to go and stand on that stage and look out at that enormous auditorium, it's quite a feeling! When you're competing, it's not always full, but luckily enough, when I won the folk song solo I went on to perform at one of the concerts in the evening, when it's jam-packed. And I was also there with Only Men Aloud a couple of years ago - it was much less daunting having the choir with me, than singing on my own as a boy, but equally enjoyable. The great thing about Llangollen is that you always have a very knowledgeable audience who love their music. It makes performing on stage even more rewarding. All in all I've got good memories of Llangollen - it's a lovely place and more than that, it's a fantastic experience. The festival takes place from 3-8 July. Llangollen 2012 is on 成人论坛 Two Wales on Friday, 6 July at 10pm. Share your photos of the festival on the 成人论坛 Summer in Wales Facebook page.
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Welsh classical performers scoop major prizes
There's been a flurry of successes for Welsh classical musicians in the last couple of weeks, with two leading young musicians winning major national awards. Ll欧r Williams Pianist Ll欧r Williams beat classical music titans Sir Colin Davis and Sir Harrison Birtwistle to win the Classical Music South Bank Show Award on 1 May at The Dorchester in London. This self-effacing, serious performer does not seek the media spotlight, but his rare insight and musicality are winning him an increasingly large worldwide fan base for his solo performances and chamber music and song collaborations. The award was for Ll欧r's Beethoven piano cycle at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2011, in which he performed all 32 sonatas at Greyfriars Kirk over a two week period. This is a mammoth undertaking, ranging across Beethoven's output from the early, classical-style pieces to the incredibly intense, introverted sound world resulting from the composer's total deafness. The cycle was the surprise hit of the 2011 Fringe, attracting the attention of all the major national press. Reviewers included The Guardian's Fiona Maddocks: "I heard three of Ll欧r Williams's complete Beethoven piano sonatas recitals at Greyfriars Kirk, each yet better than the last. Inward and serious... Williams communes with the piano as if seeking new layers in a palimpsest. The results, as in the Op 10 set last Monday, can be revelatory." The concerts soon became sell-outs. After the ceremony, Ll欧r said: "It is a great honour for me to receive this award and it is particularly fitting that is should be presented for a big project of substance." He plans to repeat the Beethoven marathon in London and Glasgow. Leaders of the contemporary British arts scene gathered to celebrate the awards, now in their 16th year, representing the entire spectrum of British arts. Other winners this year included Michael Frayn, Grayson Perry, Kate Bush, Claire Tomalin, Terry Gilliam and the 成人论坛's Sherlock team. Ll欧r Williams was born in 1976 in Pentrebychan, north Wales, read music at The Queen's College, Oxford and went on to take up a postgraduate scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music where he won every available prize and award. As well as his recital work, he performs as soloist with orchestras across the world, collaborates with violinist Alexander Janiczek and has a strong interest in the Lieder and song repertoire. Since 2003, he has been one of the official accompanists for 成人论坛 Cardiff Singer of the World. Natalya Romaniw It was also a very good week for soprano Natalya Romaniw, who represented Wales in the 2009 成人论坛 Cardiff Singer of the World competition, reaching the song prize final. On 27 April, she received both the main and song prizes in the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Awards, the first time any singer has won in both categories. Rupert Christiansen was there for the Daily Telegaph: " ...there can be no argument that the winner of both the first and song prize is potentially a world-class talent... Natalya Romaniw has a thrillingly large and resonant soprano, which one day could enable her to embrace the big Verdi roles." Natalya comes from Swansea and studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, receiving the coveted gold medal in her final year. She is currently associate artist with the Classical Opera Company and joins Houston Grand Opera's prestigious Young Artist Programme in autumn 2012.
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成人论坛 Young Musician 2012 heads to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
The search to find the 2012 成人论坛 Young Musician is under way and for the first time will be held at the new Dora Stoutzker Hall at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. From the passionate and talented musicians eager to be part of this musical journey, 122 were selected to be heard again in the second round, the category auditions, with 25 been offered a place at the category finals in March - Monday-Friday, March 5-9 - with the semi-final on Sunday 11 March, both at the Dora Stoutzker Hall. Marking 34 years since 成人论坛 Young Musician was launched, an astonishing 453 applications were received for 2012 with 404 hopefuls auditioned across the United Kingdom during the regional auditions. Paul Bullock, series editor of 成人论坛 Young Musician, says: "We are thoroughly looking forward to welcoming a new wave of outstanding young musical talent to Cardiff for the next stage of the contest. "We're also delighted to be returning to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where I'm certain the 25 category finalists will enjoy the outstanding new facilities and the excellent acoustics of the Dora Stoutzker Hall that opened earlier this year." Five performers per category will perform in front of a panel of respected adjudicators and audience at the category finals, with the five successful category winners receiving a place in the Semi-Final. From these just three will be selected to go through to the 成人论坛 Young Musician 2012 Final in May. Audiences at home will not be disappointed as performances will be recorded for broadcast on 成人论坛 Four and 成人论坛 Two. Rhian Williams, producer of 成人论坛 Young Musician, says: "The standard of performance in the category auditions last week was truly astounding! I'm very much looking forward to hearing the 25 performers selected to go through to the 2012 category finals again when they make their way to Cardiff in March." Previous winners and finalists have gone on to major international careers with recent winners such as Jennifer Pike, Guy Johnston and Nicola Benedetti now enjoying great success, not only as soloists but also as recording artists. Pianist Lara Melda, winner of 成人论坛 Young Musician 2010, explains how the competition has supported her career so far: "Taking part in such a prestigious event has already given me several exhilarating performing opportunities all over the UK and beyond, from performing with the Borusan Philharmonic Orchestra in Istanbul to the Antakya Piano Festival in Turkey and a performance in Japan in 2012." To launch the week, 成人论坛 Young Musician includes an evening of short recitals at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on Sunday, March 4 as part of Music Nation Cymru, with performances from past winners; violinist Jennifer Pike (成人论坛 Young Musician 2002), trombonist Peter Moore (成人论坛 Young Musician 2008) and percussionist Lucy Landymore (成人论坛 Young Musician 2010 Percussion Category Winner). For the latest news, history of the competition and to see previous performances, visit bbc.co.uk/youngmusician The venue for the final will be announced in January. Category finals Keyboard - Monday 5 March, 7pm Brass - Tuesday 6 March, 7pm Strings - Wednesday 7 March, 7pm Woodwind - Thursday 8 March, 7pm Percussion - Friday 9 March, 7pm Semi-final: Sunday 11 March, 7pm 成人论坛 Young Musician recital - Music Nation Cymru, Sunday 4 March, 7pm Tickets: 拢6, student/child concession 拢3 Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama box office: 029 2039 1391. Open Monday to Friday 10am - 5pm to purchase tickets by telephone or in person. Answering machine in operation outside of opening hours. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply and calls may be included in your telecom provider's call package. A 拢1.75 transaction fee applies to all bookings made online with an optional postage charge of 70p. Payments made by credit/debit card must be over the value of 拢5. A 50p fee applies to all credit card transactions made in person or telephone. No fees apply to bookings made by debit card.
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Hallelujah! It's Messiah time
Christmas comes early to Wales this year, with the first Messiah of the season taking place on Sunday 6 November. Mega Messiah poster A major part of Christmas for many classical music lovers in Wales is getting their annual Messiah 'fix' - whether it's taking part or being in the aud...
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Wakestock day tickets go on sale
More details have been announced about Wakestock 2011, Europe's largest wakeboarding and music festival, which takes place on 8-10 July at Cardigan Bay, north Wales. Day tickets go on sale tomorrow morning, 4 May. Further acts have also been revealed, and include Kelis, The Cribs, The Joy For...
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The Gentle Good's anti-royal wedding song
A musician from Cardiff has gone against the grain of Royal Wedding fever by recording a song in opposition to the event. Singer-songwriter Gareth Bonello, who performs as The Gentle Good, wrote The 29th Of April for the recent Laugharne Festival where he was performing with Richard James, co...
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Welsh composer's music to be used in royal wedding
A Welsh composer has been chosen by Prince William and Kate Middleton to provide some of the music to be heard during tomorrow's royal wedding at Westminster Abbey in London. The original work, Ubi caritas, written by 35-year-old composer Paul Mealor, was premi猫red last October at St Andrew's University. The request to use it at the wedding came as a total surprise to Mealor, who was born on Anglesey. "I was thrilled to hear that HRH Prince William of Wales had chosen my music for his wedding. How humbling it is for me to know that Prince William and Catherine will celebrate the beginning of their lives together with my music. The ceremony is going to be, without a doubt, the most emotionally intense and exhilarating hour of my life!" Mealor has had to keep his extraordinary news a secret, even from his family. Only when the choral work is actually performed at the service will it be revealed to the world. The performance will be by the Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Choir of Her Majesty's Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, conducted by James O'Donnell. The entire wedding ceremony, including Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est (Where charity and love are, God is there), will be recorded and made available digitally the same day, with physical copies going on sale from 4 May.
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Kids In Glass Houses perform Christmas classic for Radio Wales
Alan Thompson had the first play of a Christmas cover recorded exclusively for 成人论坛 Radio Wales by Kids In Glass Houses on his Evening Show last night. Kayley Thomas from Good Morning Wales has been following the band all year. When she posed the question of recording a Christmas track, she th...
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Sir Tom Jones honoured at charity event
Sir Tom Jones has received the prestigious annual Music Industry Trust Award for his outstanding contribution to music. The singer, 70, was presented with the award by film director Tim Burton, in front of an audience of 1,100 which included Sir George Martin, Michael Ball and Rob Brydon. Vid...
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Super Furry Animals lend costumes and memorabilia to Bangor University
Yeti costumes worn by Super Furry Animals are among items donated to Bangor University's Pop Archive. The costumes were worn in the group's video for Golden Retriever, and in a number of onstage appearances, and on the cover of the 2004 live single The Man Don't Give A F**k. Other items loane...
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成人论坛 Radio 1 announces new names and times for nations shows
成人论坛 Radio 1 today announced a revamp of its Nations shows which will see the arrival of exciting new talent and a new time slot for the programmes. From 9 January 2011, the current two-hour Nations shows that support the best new unsigned, underground and under the radar music from England, W...
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Steve Jones and John Mouse in conversation
Last week Bethan interviewed Cardiff-based musician John Mouse, who recorded a session for Radio 1 at London's Maida Vale studios. John was joined for the session by his TV presenter brother Steve Jones, who duetted together on the song The Last Great Rhondda Romance. The pair also agreed to ...
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Spillers Records to move home
Cardiff's Spillers Records is to move to a new premises for the first time in 60 years. Said to be the oldest record shop in the world, Spillers will close its doors in The Hayes for a final time this Saturday before moving to new premises elsewhere in the city. Spillers was opened by Henr...
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The Joy Formidable sign American deal
North Wales trio The Joy Formidable have signed a deal with American boutique label Black Bell Records, founded by The Passion Pit.
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Newport singer gets a boost from ad music
Jeff Hooper, a Newport-based singer who performs his own material and on demos for some of the world's best-known songwriters, is in the spotlight this month thanks to Skoda using his song Bluebird in an advert.
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Three Tenors: the Welsh version
Pavarotti may be performing at the great opera house in the sky these days, and the heyday of the Three Tenors at World Cup 1990 may be 20 years ago now, but three Welsh opera stars have formed a new partnership with high hopes for success.
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Sir Tom Jones cancels shows because of illness
Acute laryngitis has forced Sir Tom Jones to cancel more shows on his current Asian tour.
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Gruff Rhys and Tony Da Gatorra to release collaboration
Super Furry Animals' lead singer Gryff Rhys will release an album with a Brazilian musician and 'TV repair man' Tony Da Gatorra on 26 July this year. The album, The Terror Of Cosmic Loneliness was recorded and mixed in one massive session with long-time Furries collaborator Kris Jenkins at th...
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Tom Cruise to help Charlotte Church in USA
it is reported that filmstar Tom Cruise and his wife Katie Holmes believe that Welsh singer and TV talent show judge Charlotte Church could make it in America.