The event, which will include soloists, choirs, instrumentalists and local ensembles, will highlight several of his works including performances by students, staff, tutors and pupils from Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (Caernarfon) and the Gwynedd and Anglesey Schools Music Services (Gwasanaeth Cerdd Ysgolion Gwynedd a Môn). The evening’s highlight will be a performance of Culhwch ac Olwen – a work for children’s choir and instrumental ensemble (including two pianos and percussion instruments) with words by Professor Gwyn Thomas (Head of the Department of Welsh at Bangor University). Mathias described Culhwch & Olwen as ‘an entertainment’ – i.e. not an opera, nor a cantata or an oratorio – rather, a combination of several musical elements that convey one of Wales’s earliest legends closely associated with King Arthur. The work includes a narrator (Mali Elwy), percussionists, two piano accompanists and children’s voices, conducted by Tudur Eames. The first half of the concert will include instrumental and choral repertoire by Mathias – works for solo flute, organ, piano, harp etc., Performers will include Angharad Wyn Jones (harp), Elis Massarelli-Hughes (organ), Teleri Siân (piano), Gwenno Wyn (flute) and Christina Hutchinson-Rogers (flute). ‘Côr Dre’ (Caernarfon) conducted by Siân Wheway, will perform a medley of Mathias’s choral works.
Mathias was Professor and Head of Music at The University College of North Wales, Bangor from 1970-1988. He died in 1992. He also established the North Wales International Music Festival at St. Asaph which continues to this day. A prolific composer and a versatile musician, he published works for a variety of instrumental and vocal combinations (solo instrumental, organ, wind ensembles, concertos, and large-scale orchestral works). He is however remembered for his choral/vocal works, – including the commissioned anthem for Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer’s wedding (composed in 1981), Let the people praise Thee, which was broadcast around the world. He is often referred to as ‘the dance composer’, due mainly to the influence of dance rhythms and melodies on his music (including traditional dance tunes from Wales). In the same way, extended passages that include vibrant rhythms are a feature of his compositional output.
Tickets are available from the Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias website or by contacting (01286) 685230.