Gareth Glyn’s music has always defied categorisation. For nearly 50 years he has created an enormously varied body of work, ranging from the light, popular in style, to the substantial, challenging output on a large scale. Furthermore, it is no exaggeration to say that he has created pieces that are, and will, be regarded as classics for many years to come – Llanrwst, Carol y Seren and Iesu Yw to name but three.

We could regard this disc as Gareth’s musical journey as a composer, from his student days to the present – excellent examples of his skill for setting words, clothed in the most loving and sensitive melodies and harmonies. Undoubtedly one feels the presence of his late father (the National Eisteddfod crown-winning bard T. Glynne Davies) in his instinctive consciousness of words and their sounds, resulting in a most intimate relationship which is such a pleasure for singers. And it is this flair for words embraced in sound that is Gareth’s strength: an ability to compose music that enriches the listener’s experience of the poetry. Despite the unquestionable craftsmanship of his work – the fine structural sense and skilful treatment of motifs and themes – the technique never overwhelms the content and never impedes the aim of creating enjoyment.

Tracks -

01. Gwynt yr Haf (Rhys Meirion, Elgan Llŷr Thomas, Rhodri Prys Jones)

02. Araf y Tipia'r Cloc (Rhodri Prys Jones)

03. Llys Aberffraw (Elgan Llŷr Thomas)

04. Brodyr Maeth Hywel (Elgan Llŷr Thomas)

05. I Wefr Dadeni - Y Pair (Rhys Meirion)

06. I Wefr Dadeni - Golgotha (Rhys Meirion)

07. I Wefr Dadeni - Eirlysiau (Rhys Meirion)

08. I Wefr Dadeni - Y Gwanwyn (Rhys Meirion)

09. I Wefr Dadeni - Sialens (Rhys Meirion)

10. Carol yr Alarch (Elgan Llŷr Thomas)

11. Fy Ngeni Dan Felltith Mam (Rhodri Prys Jones)

12. Llanrwst (Rhys Meirion)

13. Ionawr (Rhodri Prys Jones)

14. Eirlysiau (Rhodri Prys Jones)

15. Crafangau (Elgan Llŷr Thomas)

16. Carol y Seren (Rhys Meirion, Elgan Llŷr Thomas, Rhodri Prys Jones).

RELEASE DATE - 28/07/2017

 

I’r rhai sy’n hoff o osod rhyw fath o label ar gyfansoddwr mae dynodi un ar Gareth Glyn yn gryn sialens os nad yn dasg gwbl amhosib. Dros gyfnod o bron i hanner can mlynedd crëodd Gareth ystod enfawr o gerddoriaeth, o’r ysgafn, poblogaidd ei arddull, i’r heriol, swmpus ar gynfas eang. Nid yw’n ormodiaith chwaith i nodi ei fod wedi creu clasuron Cymreig fydd yn cael eu perfformio am oesoedd i ddod – yn eu mysg Llanrwst, Carol y Seren a Iesu Yw.