The closing concert also takes place in the town with Meirion Wynn Jones giving a recital on the fine Frederick Rothwell organ at Bethel Chapel in Baker Street (Sunday, 30 June, 2.30pm).
Meirion’s programme includes music by composers with Aberystwyth connections such as William Mathias, David de Lloyd and Walford Davies himself. Sir Walford gave the inaugural recital on Bethel’s organ on 24 March 1924, while de Lloyd’s composition ‘Er Cof’ (In Memoriam) was written for the service on 16 March to dedicate the instrument to the memory of the eleven Chapel members killed in action in the First World War.
As an Aberystwyth alumna who returned to live here last year, it has been ideal to curate this Festival on the spot. It was really exciting to trace the manuscript of ‘Er Cof’ to the University Archives and then to discover Mathias’ ‘Prelude, Elegy and Toccata’ in the National Library of Wales. This is an early work that Mathias wrote when he used to help out on the Bethel organ as a student, and it was premiered at Gregynog by the famous Aberystwyth organist Charles Clements in 1955, so it is perfect to hear it as part of this year’s Festival.
A piece called ‘Aria’ was written by Firmin Swinnen, a refugee organist and composer from Antwerp who gave recitals at several Aberystwyth chapels in August 1915 before emigrating to make a celebrity career in America. The recital concludes with the world premiere performance of Meirion’s own composition ‘Diptych (on themes of Walford Davies)’ which is the 2019 Gregynog Festival commission.
A native of Rhewl, Llangollen, Meirion Wynn Jones was educated at Wells Cathedral School, before winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London. As a student he held organ scholarships at Winchester Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, working with David Hill and Martin Neary respectively. Having held organist posts at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, the Birmingham Oratory and Brecon Cathedral, Meirion now pursues a freelance career as a composer, accompanist and teacher. He was for many years a staff accompanist at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen, and at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.
His choral and vocal works have been recorded and broadcast on BBC radio and S4C, and in 2011 he was awarded the Musician’s Medal (Tlws y Cerddor) for composition at the National Eisteddfod. Recently-commissioned works include Amryw o Wanwynau for Elin Manahan Thomas and Gŵyl Gerdd Bangor, Ffrindiau Bach a Mawr for Côr Heol y March, and the anthem Beloved, let us love for the John S. Davies Singers, marking the fortieth anniversary of their founding.
Tickets and full programme details are available from
01686 207100
and at the door.
gregynogfestival.org
Blog by Dr Rhian Davies, Artistic Director, Gregynog Festival
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