Class Act is the title of one of the main concerts at this year’s Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys National Eisteddfod, and it looks set to be a night to remember as it’s up to the public to choose the music.
Some of the work has already been done, as a panel of musical experts, including conductors Alun Guy and Alwyn Humphreys, have met to choose a long shortlist, and now, it’s the chance of the people of Wales – and beyond as the votes already cast show – to choose the final repertoire.
There’s a bit of everything on the shortlist, and they’ve been divided into a number of categories to make sure that we have a great mix of music on the night. You can choose up to three favourites in each category. Votes need to be in by 30 April, and they’ll then be counted and we’ll announce the final list during May.
Hywel Wyn Edwards, Eisteddfod Organiser says:
“This is a very different concert, and we hope that the opportunity to choose the repertoire will appeal to our audience. We’ve put together a short list but you can also choose your own favourite – a piece which hasn’t been included on the shortlist but may appeal to you personally for whatever reason.
“People have already started voting online, and the results so far have been very interesting – and quite unexpected in some categories. It’s very close at the moment, so it’s impossible to predict what will be performed on the night. So if there’s a piece on the shortlist which appeals to you – do please vote – as every vote counts.”
Voting is easy – go to the website – www.eisteddfod.org.uk – or you can send us your vote – [email protected] or through the post to the Eisteddfod Office, 40 Parc Ty Glas, Llanishen, Cardiff CF14 5DU. We 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 our regular newsletter, online and on our 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.
The Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys National Eisteddfod is held in The Works, Ebbw Vale from 31 July – 7 August. The Maes is convenient for visitors from all parts of Wales, with easy transport links from all main routes and regular public transport access. Forty minutes from the centre of Cardiff, Ebbw Vale is an hour from Swansea and two and a quarter hours from the Dolgellau area.
The festival attracts around 160,000 visitors every year, and is a travelling festival which alternates between north and south Wales. Entry to all daytime activities is free of charge for the price of a daily Maes ticket. The Eisteddfod has announced details of the free entry scheme for the Maes on 1 August. The scheme is financed by the Welsh Assembly Government, and details are all available on the Eisteddfod website – www.eisteddfod.org.uk – and the promotional campaign is supported by the Welsh Language Board.
The Eisteddfod receives a grant from the Welsh Assembly Government through the Welsh Language Board. The Eisteddfod also receives funding from unitary authorities in Wales through its partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association. This year’s festival has received £300,000 from the Heads of the Valleys Regeneration Programme, to enable the Eisteddfod to visit the Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys area.
