It portrays scenes from the life of Saint David. Welsh tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones joins the line up with a selection of his favourite Welsh Songs in a concert presented by Beti George at St David’s Hall, Cardiff.
Gareth Glyn’s new harp concerto, a co-commission between BBC NOW and Tŷ Cerdd, will be led by renowned Welsh conductor Grant Llewellyn. Glyn says “This compact concerto is a musical depiction of many of the elements of the story – the storm in which David was born, the dove which taught him the ways of God, the hill that arose beneath his feet as he preached, and his last words: ‘Be joyful, and do the little things.’ The work is a showpiece for the harp, in the skilful hands of Catrin Finch, allowing it to display all its varied qualities from the expressive and delicate to the tempestuous and virtuosic.”
Celebrating Wales’ rich musical heritage, the concert will feature composers who brought Welsh music to the fore – Hoddinott, Grace Williams, Mathias and Morfydd Owen. Catrin Finch and Gwyn Hughes Jones come together with the Welsh traditional favourite Dafydd y Garreg Wen, and BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales will perform two pieces also inspired by the patron saint - Mansel Thomas’ Er Mwyn dy was, Dewi and Dewi Sant: Molwn Di by Arwel Hughes. Part of the celebrations, traditional Welsh folk group Cat’s Claw will perform pre-concert, during the interval and post-concert.
Celebrate St David’s Day with BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales at St David’s Hall on 1 March 2019 at 7.30pm. For more information visit bbc.co.uk/bbcnow or contact the BBC NOW Audience Line on 0800 052 1812.