Classic Ross Amico

Tag: William Mathias

St. David’s Day Welsh Harp Music on The Lost Chord

St. David’s Day (March 1st) has been a national day of celebration in Wales since the Middle Ages. This week on “The Lost Chord,” we’ll honor the country’s patron saint, with an hour of Welsh music – interestingly, all of it in some way connected to the harp.

Structurally, Grace Williams’ “Penillion” (1955) draws on the ancient Welsh practice of improvising vocal counterpoint to a traditional melody played on the harp. However, in this instance, the role of the harp is assigned to the trumpet, so as not to be swallowed up by the rest of the orchestra.

We’ll also hear a set of variations on “Megan’s Daughter,” by the 19th century harpist John Thomas. In 1861, Thomas was given the bardic title, “Chief Musician of Wales.” In 1872, he became official harpist to Queen Victoria.

Then bass-baritone Bryn Terfel will be heard, in his first ever commercial recording, in a Welsh song employing a text by Caradog Pritchard, extolling the virtues of the Ogwen River. “The River’s Song” is sung to the accompaniment of a harp, in this setting by Elsbeth M. Jones. Terfel will be joined by his former schoolmate, the tenor John Eifion.

We’ll conclude with a personal favorite, the Harp Concerto (1970) by William Mathias. According to the composer, the first movement is connected with the land and seascapes of South West Wales, where the music was composed. The slow movement is a landscape of the mind, reflective of the great elegies of early Welsh poetry. The third movement is a spritely jig, which brings the piece to a rhythmic and joyful conclusion.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!

There’s a giant leek in the fridge. Yes, you heard correctly, and no, it’s not broken.

I hope you’ll join me in celebrating St. David’s Day. That’s “And God Created Great Wales,” on “The Lost Chord,” now in syndication on KWAX, the radio station of the University of Oregon!

Clip and save the start times for all three of my recorded shows:

PICTURE PERFECT, the movie music show – Friday at 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST

SWEETNESS AND LIGHT, the light music program – Saturday at 11:00 AM EST/8:00 AM PST

THE LOST CHORD, unusual and neglected rep – Saturday at 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PST

Stream them, wherever you are, at the link!

https://kwax.uoregon.edu/

March 1, 2025
Welsh Music for St. David’s Day Harp Concerto

I’m sitting here thinking I could really use some William Mathias Harp Concerto. This webcast of “The Lost Chord” from a few years back is the very thing. Mathias’ concerto is the centerpiece of an hour of Welsh music. March 1st, St. David’s Day, has been celebrated in Wales since the Middle Ages. I honor the country’s patron saint with a playlist also featuring Grace Williams’ “Penillion” and John Thomas’ work for solo harp “Megan’s Daughter.” You’ll also hear Bryn Terfel sing a Welsh song with his former school mate, tenor John Eifion.

There’s a giant leek in the fridge. Yes, you heard that correctly, and no, it’s not broken. Listen to “And God Created Great Wales” here:

https://www.wwfm.org/webcasts/2020-02-27/the-lost-chord-march-1-and-god-created-great-wales

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!

March 1, 2023
St David’s Day Welsh Harp Music on WWFM

St. David’s Day (March 1st) has been a national day of celebration in Wales since the Middle Ages. This Sunday night on “The Lost Chord,” we’ll honor the country’s patron saint, with an hour of Welsh music – interestingly, all of it in some way connected to the harp.

Structurally, Grace Williams’ “Penillion” (1955) draws on the ancient Welsh practice of improvising vocal counterpoint to a traditional melody played on the harp. However, in this instance, the role of the harp is assigned to the trumpet, so as not to be swallowed up by the rest of the orchestra.

We’ll also hear a set of variations on “Megan’s Daughter,” by the 19th century harpist John Thomas. In 1861, Thomas was given the bardic title, “Chief Musician of Wales.” In 1872, he became official harpist to Queen Victoria.

Then bass-baritone Bryn Terfel will be heard, in his first ever commercial recording, in a Welsh song employing a text by Caradog Pritchard, extolling the virtues of the Ogwen River. “The River’s Song” is sung to the accompaniment of a harp, in this setting by Elsbeth M. Jones. Terfel will be joined by his former school mate, the tenor John Eifion.

We’ll conclude with a personal favorite, the Harp Concerto (1970) by William Mathias. According to the composer, the first movement is connected with the land and seascapes of South West Wales, where the music was composed. The slow movement is a landscape of the mind, reflective of the great elegies of early Welsh poetry. The third movement is a spritely jig, which brings the piece to a rhythmic and joyful conclusion.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!

There’s a giant leek in the fridge. Yes, you heard correctly, and no, it’s not broken.

I hope you’ll join me in celebrating St. David’s Day. That’s “And God Created Great Wales,” this Sunday night at 10:00 EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

March 1, 2020

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