It is hard to believe that twenty years have elapsed since Rhys trod onto the Glyndebourne stage to sing Edmondo in Mannon Lescaut by Puccini on the 10th of August 1999 – his very first appointment as a professional singer. This album celebrates that milestone and catches the essence of his voice at this time in his career through interpretations of the songs he’s been singing in concerts over the years but as yet hasn’t recorded.

Over the years he has had very special experiences of singing as a soloist in some of the most iconic buildings in the music world. Places such as the Millennium Centre in Cardiff, the Albert Hall in London, the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall in New York and many more. But equally important for Rhys is singing in small halls, and chapels all over Wales, receiving the warmest of Welsh welcomes that is so close to his heart.

It is extremely appropriate, that the extraordinarily versatile and gifted musician, Brian Hughes, accompanies him on this album. In fact, what we have here is duets between piano and voice rather than a soloist and an accompanist. Rhys has been extremely fortunate to have good teachers and coaches over the years, and he is extremely indebted to people like David Pollard, Gerald Martin Moore, Iris Dell’Acqua, Phillip Thomas, Antony Legge, Mark Shanahan and many more. But it is Brian Hughes who has been a constant over the years, and Rhys feels the greatest privilege of having him as a teacher, a mentor and a friend to co-perform with his on this album.

Tracks - 

01. Parla Piu Piano (Speak Softly Love: The Godfather)

02. Cilfan Y Coed (Shade In The Trees)

03. If I Can Help Somebody

04. El Dia Que Me Quieras (The Day That You Love Me)

05. Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz (You Are My Heart’s Delight: The Land Of Smiles)

06. Gras Calfaria (Blessed Calvary)

07. Gweddi Y Pechadur (The Sinner’s Prayer)

08. I’ll Walk Beside You

09. Musica Prohibita (Forbidden Music)

10. Elen Fwyn (Ellen Dear)

11. Annabelle Lee

12. Gwlad Y Delyn (Land Of The Harp)

13. Hiraeth (Longing)

14. Pa Le Mae’r Amen? (Where Is The Amen?)

15. Cof Am Y Cyfiawn Iesu (Of Jesus Just And Holy: Home Sweet Home)

16. Tell My Father.

Mae’n anodd credu bod ugain mlynedd wedi mynd heibio ers i Rhys droedio ar lwyfan Glyndebourne i ganu Edmondo yn Mannon Lescaut gan Puccini ar y 10fed o Awst 1999.  Ei orchwyl gyntaf un fel canwr proffesiynol. Mae’r albwm yma, mewn ffordd, yn dathlu’r garreg filltir honno, ac yn gofnod o’r llais ar y pryd hwn yn fy ngyrfa drwy ddehongliadau o’r caneuon mae wedi bod yn eu canu mewn cyngherddau ar hyd y blynyddoedd, ond ddim wedi mynd ati i’w recordio hyd yma.

Mae Rhys wedi ceisio bod yn driw i’r geiriau caredig yma ar hyd y blynyddoedd, ac mae’n mawr obeithio bod hyn yn dod drosodd yn y perfformiadau ar yr albwm hwn.

Pymtheg cân oedd i fod, ond pedair awr ar hugain cyn recordio daethom o hyd i ‘Gras Calfaria’ gan E.T. Davies , a rhaid oedd ei chynnwys ar y CD. Mae dipyn o bopeth yma; hiraeth, emynau, cenedlaetholdeb, tynerwch, dipyn o flas y Maffia, a thango o’r Ariannin.

Traciau -

01. Parla Piu Piano (Speak Softly Love: The Godfather)

02. Cilfan Y Coed (Shade In The Trees)

03. If I Can Help Somebody

04. El Dia Que Me Quieras (The Day That You Love Me)

05. Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz (You Are My Heart’s Delight: The Land Of Smiles)

06. Gras Calfaria (Blessed Calvary)

07. Gweddi Y Pechadur (The Sinner’s Prayer)

08. I’ll Walk Beside You

09. Musica Prohibita (Forbidden Music)

10. Elen Fwyn (Ellen Dear)

11. Annabelle Lee

12. Gwlad Y Delyn (Land Of The Harp)

13. Hiraeth (Longing)

14. Pa Le Mae’r Amen? (Where Is The Amen?)

15. Cof Am Y Cyfiawn Iesu (Of Jesus Just And Holy: Home Sweet Home)

16. Tell My Father.