Friday, 30 April is the closing date for anyone wishing to vote for the works which will be performed at the Class Act concert on the Eisteddfod stage on Thursday 5 August.
This is the first time for the Eisteddfod to hold a vote to choose the repertoire for one of the concerts, and the public have been voting since the beginning of March.
Hywel Wyn Edwards, Eisteddfod Organiser, says:
“We’re always looking for new ways to appeal to our audience, and this year, we decided to allow the public to vote for Wales’ favourite classics. A panel of musical experts created the original shortlist, before opening the vote to the people of Wales.
“We’ve had a good response to the vote, and it’s been interesting watching the main players changing regularly. People from all over Wales have been voting – and we’ve even received votes from places like the USA. Once the closing date passes, we’ll be able to book artists and announce more details about this unusual concert.”
At the moment, it’s very close in the Choral category, with Zadok the Priest, the Hallelujah Chorus and the Easter Hymn all have 19% of the vote, and although the Pearl Fishers and the Grand March from Aida are in the lead in the Opera category, it’s neck and neck for third place. And this is true for all the five categories as we enter the final week of voting, so it’s likely that the lead will change a number of times before 30 April.
Voting is easy – go to the website – www.eisteddfod.org.uk – or you can send them your vote – [email protected] or through the post to the Eisteddfod Office, 40 Parc Ty Glas, Llanishen, Cardiff CF14 5DU. They are unable to accept any votes over the phone.
Angharad Mair will be presenting the evening, with Alwyn Humphreys conducting the BBC National Chorus of Wales and the Wales Chamber Orchestra. We will announce the names of the soloists following the closing date.
The shortlist has been divided into five categories – opera, instrumental, choral, popular and Welsh, and you can choose up to three pieces in each category.
The pieces on the opera shortlist are:
- Grand March, Aida – Verdi: This piece is taken from the opera Aida (1871) – one of the world’s greatest operas which remains popular today.
- Libiamo: Drinking Song, La Traviata – Verdi: One of the world’s most famous duets, from the opera La Traviata (1853)
- Finale Act 1, La Boheme – Puccini: An extremely romantic and passionate piece from the opera La Boheme (1896).
- Viens Mallika: The Flower Duet, Lakmé – Delibes: A beautiful duet from the opera Lakmé (1883), also known as the music from the British Airways adverts.
- Votre Toast: The Toreador’s Song, Carmen – Bizet: A strong and very famous piece from the well known opera Carmen (1875)
- Pearl Fishers’ Duet –Bizet: Another of the world’s most famous duets, which is a prologue to the sad story of the Pearl Fishers (1863)
The instrumental shortlist is:
- Suo Gân: traditional – arranged by George Wheldon : One of Wales’ most beautiful lullabies, used in Speilberg’s Empire of the Sun, 1987.
- Tydi a Roddaist -Arwel Hughes: A favourite with choirs. Composed in 1936, using words by T Rowland Hughes
- Hywel a Blodwen – Joseph Parry: A lovely duet from the opera Blodwen (1878), written by the composer best known for choirs’ favourite, Myfanwy.
- Welsh Rhapsody – Edward German Jones: A poignant piece which clearly shows the Marches born composer’s love for Wales (1904)
- Palladio – Karl Jenkins: One of his most famous piece – known to listeners of Nia’s programme on Radio Cymru.
- Threnody – Morfydd Llwyn Owen: A recently discovered piece by the brilliant composer who died at a tragically young age
The pieces on the choral shortlist are:
- Hallelujah Chorus, The Messiah – Handel: One of the world’s favourites and one of the most famous classical pieces ever
- Ave Verum – Mozart: This wonderful piece was composed by Mozart about six months before his death in 1791
- Benedictus – Karl Jenkins: This was conducted by the composer himself in a memorable performance at the Swansea National Eisteddfod, 2006.
- Zadok the Priest – Handel: One of Handel’s masterpieces, used in the P&O adverts and as the UEFA Champions League anthem
- Fortuna, Carmina Burana – Karl Orff: Known to one generation as the music from the Old Spice as, but for younger people, it’s the X Factor judges’ music!
- Easter Hymn, Cavalleria Rusticana – Mascagni: A favourite amongst male voice and mixed choirs, first performed in 1890
You can choose up to three of the following in the popular music category:
- James Bond Medley: An opportunity to enjoy some of the theme songs from the films in a very special musical arrangement
- Pirates of the Caribbean – Badelt: Music from the swashbuckling adventure film series, which began in 2003
- Schindler’s List – John Williams: The haunting theme from a film which is sure to have an impact on any viewer
- Star Wars – John Williams: This theme’s almost more famous than the film itself! John Williams at his very best!
- Hymn to the Fallen – John Williams: This melody is taken from the film Saving Private Ryan
- Gone with the Wind – Max Steiner: A classic song from a classic film. From the glorious days of film
To vote for your favourite instrumental music, choose up to three of the following:
- Nimrod, Enigma Variations – Elgar: Known as the music played as part of the Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph in London every November
- Canon in D – Pachelbel: A magical piece of music which remained lost for centuries, but is a great favourite by today
- The Four Seasons – Vivaldi: Summer is the concerto on our shortlist – one of four concerti which describe the four seasons
- Symphony No. 5 – Beethoven: Are the first four notes of this symphony the most famous four notes ever?
- Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, From the New World – Dvorak: Most famous as the music from the famous Hovis advert!
- Finlandia – Sibelius: This work includes a chorale, which has been a great favourite with choirs for many years
Tickets for the Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys National Eisteddfod evening concerts are now on sale and can be ordered online – www.eisteddfod.org.uk – or by ringing the ticket office – 0845 122 1176. All details are also in their regular newsletter, online and on their facebook page – www.facebook.com/eisteddfod. Register to receive the latest information, either online or by emailing [email protected]. You can also pick up a booklet across Wales.
