Welsh youth set for tangos and test pieces

The National Youth Band of Wales is currently in Malvern under the baton of Philip Harper with eyes set on concert performances in Neath and Cardiff.

Tuesday, 21 July 2015

The National Youth Band of Wales is currently working hard on their residential course in Malvern under the baton of Cory MD Philip Harper (above), in preparation for two high profile concerts in south Wales this weekend.

New commission

Included in their programmes to be performed in Neath and Cardiff are works marking the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Wladfa, the first Welsh settlement in Patagonia in Argentina, as well as celebrating the 70th birthday of the composer and NYBBW President, Edward Gregson.

Composer Hilary Tann has also written a new work, entitled, 'All the Moon Long', which takes its inspiration from Dylan Thomas's exuberant poem of youth, 'Fern Hill'. It will be the first major departure for the Ferndale-born, USA based composer, who has never previously written for the brass band medium.

Classics

Alongside works by Philip Harper and Latin American genres will be the classic brass band test piece, 'Pageantry' and Gregson's iconic 'Connotations'.

Atmospheric score

Ty Cerdd Director Gwyn Williams told 4BR: "We are delighted to be working with Hilary Tann on her superb new commission in her role as Composer-in-Residence.

Hilary has written a work which is hardly made in the traditional brass band mould — but one that explores her extensive experience of living in Japan. She has created a wonderfully atmospheric score which places a great deal of emphasis on soft playing and subdued colour timbres."

He added: "We are also pleased to be able to reconnect with banding's past with 'Pageantry' and with the ground breaking 'Connotations'.

All this and we have some wonderful arrangements of Latin American music — which I'm sure will added extra musical flavour to two eagerly awaited concerts."

Hilary has written a work which is hardly made in the traditional brass band mould — but one that explores her extensive experience of living in JapanGwyn Williams

Concerts:

Saturday 25th July: 7.00pm
Gwyn Hall,
Neath
Box Office: 0300 365 6677

Sunday 26th July: 1.00pm
Dora Stoutzker Hall
RWCMD
Cardiff
Box Office: 029 2039 1391

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