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Mae aelodau cynulleidfa mewn gŵyl gerddorol o fri yng Ngogledd Cymru yn cael eu gwahodd i roi cynnig ar ddawnsio fertigol – wedi’i hongian yn yr awyr gydag offer dringo creigiau.

Byddant yn cael y cyfle i “ddysgu’r rhaffau” cyn y perfformiad yng Ngŵyl Gerdd Bangor yng Nghanolfan Celfyddydau Pontio am 2pm ddydd Sadwrn, Chwefror 15.

Mae’n rhan o brosiect gan Gwmni Dawns Hedydd ar y cyd â Vertical Dance Kate Lawrence (VDKL) a fydd yn defnyddio rhaffau, harneisiau a dyfeisiau abseilio.

Bydd dawnswyr yn hongian yn yr awyr yn ogystal ag ar y llawr yn ystod y cynhyrchiad o’r enw “Hiraeth/Lost Roots” sef un o uchafbwyntiau’r ŵyl sy’n dechrau ddydd Gwener, Chwefror 14, ac yn rhedeg tan ddydd Sul, Chwefror 16

Cynhelir y perfformiad yn theatr Stiwdio gartrefol y ganolfan a bydd yn cynnwys y dawnswyr Lisa Spaull, Despina Goula, Angharad Jones a Kseniia Fedorovykh gyda cherddoriaeth wedi’i chyfansoddi a’i pherfformio gan y canwr jazz clodwiw Eädyth Crawford.

Yn ôl Cyfarwyddwr Artistig yr ŵyl, Guto Pryderi Puw, ‘Cerddoriaeth o fewn y celfyddydau’ yw thema’r digwyddiad ac mae cynhyrchiad Hiraeth/Lost Roots yn cyfuno cerddoriaeth gyda dawns arbrofol.

Ychwanegodd fod y perfformiad hefyd wedi’i anelu at y rhai â nam ar eu golwg a bydd gweithdy yn gynharach yn y prynhawn yn rhoi cyfle i bob aelod o’r gynulleidfa roi cynnig ar ddawnsio fertigol gan ddefnyddio’r un offer.

Meddai’r prif ddawnsiwr Lisa Spaull: “Mae Hiraeth yn ymwneud â chysylltiadau dynol, ein hymdeimlad o gartref, a phrofiadau o ddadleoli. Byddwn yn symud rhwng y cyffredin a’r anghyffredin gan ddefnyddio ein straeon a’n mythau i fyfyrio ar ein gwreiddiau cyffredin.

“Byddwn yn defnyddio cyfrwng dawns fertigol gyda dawnswyr yn yr awyr yn ogystal â dawnsio ar y ddaear. Rydym yn gweithio gyda’r artist gweledol Femke Van Gent i hongian gwrthrychau oddi ar y ddaear y bydd yn cael eu chwarae â nhw.

“Fel rhan o gam nesaf datblygu’r sioe hon rydym yn gweithio gyda’r cynghorydd llenyddol Gwen Thomson, yr ymgynghorydd sain ddisgrifio Karina Jones a’r mentor Kate Lawrence. Gyda’n gilydd byddwn yn ymgorffori disgrifiadau sain yn greadigol ar gyfer cynulleidfaoedd â nam ar eu golwg yn y sioe ei hun.

“Bydd hyn yn cael ei wneud trwy’r trac sain, canu, adrodd straeon a’r dawnswyr yn siarad i sicrhau bod stori, mynegiant emosiynol a gweithred y ddawns yn cael eu cyfleu. Mae’n daith ymdrochol sy’n cymylu’r ffiniau rhwng celf, adrodd straeon ac archwilio personol.”

“Mae’r sioe yn digwydd yn y Theatr Stiwdio yn Pontio gyda’r gynulleidfa o amgylch yr ymylon. Bydd gennym gyfle cyn y sioe i bobl ac yn arbennig cynulleidfaoedd â nam ar eu golwg gael taith o amgylch y gofod perfformio a rhoi cynnig arni mewn harnais i profiad arnofio yn yr awyr.”

Ychwanegodd Lisa, ffurfiodd Hedydd  yn 2024 ar ôl prosiect ymchwil yn Pontio fel rhan o brosiect datblygu VDKL o goreograffwyr dawns fertigol yng Ngogledd Cymru.

“Roedden ni’n teimlo bod y prosiect wedi mynd mor dda ac fe wnaethon ni fwynhau gweithio gyda’n gilydd gymaint roedden ni’n meddwl y byddai’n syniad gwych ffurfio cwmni newydd.

“Rydym yn edrych ymlaen at rannu cam nesaf y datblygiad fel rhan o Ŵyl Gerdd Bangor lle byddwn yn perfformio am y tro cyntaf,” meddai. .

Bydd ail berfformiad o ‘Hiraeth/Lost Roots’ am 5pm.

Wedi’r ŵyl gyntaf yn 2000, mae Gŵyl Gerdd Bangor wedi selio ei henw fel yr ŵyl fwyaf blaenllaw yng Nghymru sy’n hyrwyddo cerddoriaeth gyfoes a newydd.

Dros y blynyddoedd mae wedi comisiynu mwy na 175 o ddarnau newydd o gerddoriaeth ac wedi perfformio mwy na 50 o gyfansoddiadau eraill am y tro cyntaf.

Dywedodd Guto fod mwy na 300 o artistiaid wedi cymryd rhan yn yr ŵyl dros y blynyddoedd a bydd 15 o ddarnau newydd yn cael eu perfformio am y tro cyntaf yn ystod y digwyddiad eleni.

Meddai: “Eleni rydym yn dathlu’r 25ain ŵyl ers ei sefydlu yn 2000 a’r thema yw ‘cerddoriaeth o fewn y celfyddydau’ a chredwn fod rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn yr amrywiol gyngherddau, gweithdai, sgyrsiau a digwyddiadau cymunedol.

“Mae’r un pwyslais ar gerddoriaeth newydd sy’n herio ac yn ysbrydoli, gyda chomisiynau newydd gan chwe chyfansoddwr/artist sain, yn ogystal â myfyrwyr Cerddoriaeth a Ffilm o Brifysgol Bangor, yn ymateb yn greadigol o fewn thema’r Ŵyl.

“O ganlyniad, mae mwyafrif y gerddoriaeth yn cael ei chyfuno â barddoniaeth, dawns neu ffilm amrywiol, ond hefyd paentiadau haniaethol gan Chris Holley a fydd yn cael eu harddangos yn Pontio cyn ac yn ystod yr Ŵyl. Rydym hefyd yn falch o wahodd Mikel Kuehn fel y cyfansoddwr dan sylw, lle mae peth o’i gerddoriaeth yn cyfuno barddoniaeth, lleisiau byw a delweddau wedi’u taflunio ar y sgrin.”

Wrth amlinellu rhaglen yr ŵyl, dywedodd Guto fod cyngerdd Cerys Hafana nos Wener, Chwefror 14, yn rhan o nosweithiau Cabaret Pontio, ac yn darparu naws hamddenol a chipolwg difyr ar gerddoriaeth werin gydag un o artistiaid mwyaf nodedig y gylchdaith.

“Mae Cerys yn manglo, yn treiglo ac yn trawsnewid cerddoriaeth draddodiadol ar y delyn deires,” meddai Guto.

Bydd Camau Cerdd gyda Marie-Claire Howorth ar ddydd Sadwrn, Chwefror 15, yn cyflwyno cerddoriaeth i blant chwe mis i saith oed mewn gweithdai a gynhelir ar y cyd â Chanolfan Gerdd William Mathias (Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias).

Bydd yr artist Chris Holley hefyd yn arwain dau weithdy yn cyflwyno celf i blant rhwng pedair a saith oed yn ystod bore Sadwrn.

Bydd y cyngerdd amser cinio, Canfod y Gân, ym Mar Ffynnon Pontio yn cynnwys perfformiad byw o ganeuon gwreiddiol gan griw o gerddorion ag anghenion ychwanegol.

Yn ystod y prynhawn bydd perfformiadau byw yng ngofodau cyhoeddus amrywiol Pontio gan Ensemble Cerddoriaeth Newydd Bangor lle bydd perfformwyr dan hyfforddiant yn cyflwyno gweithiau gan fyfyrwyr cyfansoddi prifysgol.

Bydd Different Light, sy’n cynnwys Sinfonia Cymru a’r artist Chris Holley, am 7.30pm ym Mocs Gwyn Pontio. Bydd yn cynnwys cerddoriaeth gan John Metcalf ochr yn ochr â chomisiynau gŵyl gan Mikel Kuehn, Lynne Plowman, Claire Victoria Roberts, Zach Reading a Guto Pryderi Puw.

Ddydd Sul, Chwefror 16, am 12.30 bydd cyngerdd rhad ac am ddim gan Electroacwstig Cymru yn cynnwys darnau gan gyfansoddwyr dan hyfforddiant.

Yn ddiweddarach, am 3pm yn Theatr Bryn Terfel, bydd yr ŵyl yn cyflwyno Dancing in the Ether. Bydd y soprano Deborah Norin ac Electroacwstig Cymru yn cynnwys cerddoriaeth gan y cyfansoddwr Americanaidd a’r artist sain Mikel Kuehn a chomisiwn newydd gan Andrew Lewis.

A renowned artist will take inspiration from the music at a concert and paint a new picture live as part of the 25^th anniversary celebrations of a top festival.

The connection between artist Chris Holley and Bangor Music Festival came about during the Covid lockdown in 2020 when she discovered a piece of music on YouTube that was composed by the event’s artistic director, Guto Pryderi Puw.

Guto, a Reader in Music Composition at Bangor University, founded the festival in 2000 as a showcase for contemporary music and it has featured a total of 225 world premieres over the years.

This year’s milestone festival, from Friday, February 14, to Sunday, February 16, will be taking place at the city’s Pontio Arts Centre.

According to Chris, she was entranced by the piece called Different Light, which in turn inspired her to create two abstract paintings which she later emailed to Guto.

The paintings will form part of Music and the Muse, an exhibition of 28 paintings at the Pontio Arts Centre from January 27 until the end of the Festival.

Meanwhile, Guto’s composition will be performed during a concert starting at 7.30pm on Saturday, February 15, alongside a number of new works during which Chris will also create new artwork.

Chris, who lives in the Thames Valley, said: “I heard Guto’s beautiful and restless Different Light online during lockdown and was fascinated by the music and its concept – a painting being moved from space to space and how the differing light would subtly affect its values.

“So, turning the concept around, over a period of weeks I made two paintings based on his composition, emailing him images of the resulting paintings.

“My art practice is mainly either figurative, influenced by movement and dance – or abstract motivated by a musical connection. To me, music, visual art and dance are all different sides of the same rich coin.”

During the festival Chris will also lead workshops introducing art to children of different ages.

She added: “When working with young children it’s important to have fun, stay light-hearted and playful and be encouraging.

“They have such creative minds and ‘go for it’ in their mark-making without the concerns we accumulate as adults. You never know – there may be a budding young Picasso out there!”

Guto was surprised but delighted that his work had inspired the paintings and invited her to take part in this year’s festival, which has ‘Music within the arts’ as its theme.

“My piece, Different Light, was originally composed and performed at the Vale of Glamorgan Festival in 2000 and during the Covid-19 pandemic Chris heard it again and was inspired to create new paintings.

“She contacted me about her work during lockdown and I was totally speechless by her kind gesture. So, as our own returning gesture, The Festival is delighted to stage an exhibition of her paintings as well as staging a live-art event in Saturday evening’s concert at Pontio when Sinfonia Cymru will perform music by John Metcalf and Mikel Kuehn, alongside new festival commissions by Lynne Plowman, Claire Victoria Roberts, Zach Reading and myself,” he said.

Launching this year’s programme, Guto revealed 15 new pieces will be performed for the first time during this year’s event.

He said: “This year we celebrate the 25th festival since its founding in 2000 and the theme is ‘music within the arts’ and we believe there’s something for everyone in the various concerts, workshops, talks and community events.

“There is the same emphasis on new music that challenges and inspires, with new commissions by six established composers/sound artists, in addition to new works by Music students and Film students from Bangor University, responding creatively within the Festival theme.

“Consequently, the majority of the music is combined with various poetry, dance or film, but also abstract paintings by Chris Holley that will be exhibited in Pontio before and during the festival.

“We are also proud to invite American composer Mikel Kuehn as our featured composer, performing his pieces that combines live and recorded vocals, video projection, electronics and the poems of e e cummings and Wallace Stevens.”

This year’s programme contains some of Wales’ finest contemporary performers including Cerys Hafana on the triple harp, the experimental dancers Hedydd/VDKL to music by Eädyth Crawford, the enthralling Sinfonia Cymru in addition to the innovative sounds of Electroacoustic Wales and celebrated soprano Deborah Norin.

Cerys Hafana’s concert on Friday, February 14 is part of Pontio’s Cabaret evenings, and provides a relaxed atmosphere and an intriguing insight into folk music with one of the most distinguished artists on the circuit.

“According to Cerys, she mangles, mutates and transforms traditional music on the triple harp!” said Guto.

Camau Cerdd/First Steps in Music with Marie-Claire Howorth on Saturday, February 15 introduces music to children aged 6 months to seven years of age in workshops staged in collaboration with Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias.

A lunchtime concert in Pontio’s Bar Ffynnon will feature live performance of original songs by Canfod y Gân, a group of musicians with special needs.

During the afternoon there will be live performances at Pontio’s various public spaces by the Bangor New Music Ensemble where university student performers present works by composition students.

On Sunday, February 16 at 12.30 a free (but ticketed) concert by Electroacoustic Wales will feature pieces by student composers.

Later, at 3pm in Theatr Bryn Terfel, the festival will present Dancing in the Ether as a climax to the celebrations. Soprano Deborah Norin and Electroacoustic Wales will include music by the Festival featured composer and sound artist, Mikel Kuehn together with a new commission by Bangor based composer, Andrew Lewis.

A band from Gwynedd have taken Latin American Samba music and infused their own blend of folk, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll, to create a uniquely Welsh combination.

The group, Banda Bacana, will be among the star attractions at Bangor Music Festival where organisers say they guarantee a “bums off seats” experience as their music is so infectious concert-goers find it almost impossible to keep still.

Formed more than 20 years ago, they have built up a strong reputation amongst fans of world music and will take to the stage in the opening concert of the festival at the Pontio’s Arts Centre’s Theatr Bryn Terfel on February 15.

The concert also features the acclaimed, Cardiff-based Afro Cluster for an evening of music from two continents.

Vocalist Ceri Dalton said Banda Bacana’s music comes from a range of influences and cultures with an emphasis on having fun.

Ceri, who also plays the congas, the tall, narrow, single-headed drum from Cuba, said: “We play a mix of funk, afrobeat, Latin, reggae and ska and we’ve written most of our own songs.

“It’s the sort of music we like to play and it seems our audiences like it as well. We encourage people to get up and dance and they don’t need to be asked twice. We’ve even seen people in wheelchairs try to get up and dance.”

Drummer Owen Hughes joined the band about 15 years ago – initially just for one gig!

He said: ” Banda Bacana are pretty unique because the band members have all brought their own styles and influences to it. I’ve played in folk bands like Cajuns Denbo, Bwchadanas and rhythm and blues with The Jukes and Steve Eaves’ band.

Trumpet player Neil Browning is also folk orientated but saxophonist Jochen Eistntraut is more into jazz.”

Owen, who ran Cob Records, the well-known record shop in Bangor for many years, believes Banda Bacana have developed their own unique style and added a Welsh flavour to their music.

“There is nothing Welsh about Samba music but we have developed our own style. Our first album was about half and half original songs and covers but our second was all our own compositions and we have continued to write our own material since that album was released.

“Our set contains three songs we have written and arranged ourselves in Welsh so that is pretty original but we are primarily a dance band,” he said.

While focusing mainly on contemporary music, Bangor Music Festival has been a cultural highlight on Wales’s cultural calendar for more than 20 years and will be staged within Pontio at Bangor University from February 15 to Sunday, February 18, 2024.

Festival organiser Guto Pryderi Puw, who has been involved with the festival since it was launched in 2000, said the theme of the 2024 festival is “New Music, New Experiences” and in addition to a series of major concerts also features a range of discussions, lectures, workshops and educational projects.

Guto, a Reader in Music Composition at Bangor University s School of Music, Drama and Performance said: “We are always keen to bring new music to the festival as well as new experiences and we thought this year we could make that the official theme of the festival.

“Banda Bacana and Afro Cluster are two bands who will bring the music of Africa and Latin America to Bangor and it will be an evening of new musical experiences for many.”

He said the auditorium seats at Theatr Bryn Terfel will be replaced by tables and chairs for the occasion with plenty of space for dancing.

“The music is made for dancing and the cabaret style setting will make it more of a gig than a formal concert,” he added.

A remarkable 15 brand-new compositions will be premiered at the festival. Some have been especially commissioned by the event and many have been written by young composers based in Wales.

The Showcase concert on Saturday, February 17 will feature three brand new pieces.

The concert, which starts at 7.30pm, also features music by well-known international composers John Adams and Olga Neuwirth.

A pre-concert talk with the three composers in the company of festival chair Rhiannon Mathias will take place at 6pm.

An award-winning piece will be one of a number of new works to be featured in a lunchtime concert at Pontio’s Studio theatre.

Performed by an ensemble from Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias the piece by Gwydion Rhys, who is from Rachub near Bethesda and a student at the Royal College of Music in London, won the Composer’s Medal at the Urdd National Eisteddfod last May.

Other pieces include festival commissions by Niamh O’Donnell and Cardiff-based Tayla-Leigh Payne.

Later in the afternoon talented performers currently at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias performing an eclectic mix of music for soloists and ensembles in Pontio’s Bar Ffynnon.

The Bangor New Music Ensemble will present works by student composers In various public spaces in the Pontio building.

At 3pm on Sunday, February 18, Electroacoustic Wales will take part in a live performance in Theatr Bryn Terfel at Pontio with the SOUND/IMAGE Research Centre at London’s University of Greenwich and Luxi Tian, a PhD student at Bangor University, who plays the Guzheng, a Chinese plucked zither.

Earlier, at 12.30pm, Electroacoustic Wales, directed by Andrew Lewis, will present a selection of pieces written by Bangor University student composers.

During the festival Marie-Claire Howorth will host sessions introducing music to children aged six months to  seven year, in collaboration with Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre).

A remarkable 15 world premieres will be performed at a top music festival in North Wales.
Some of the pieces have been especially commissioned by critically acclaimed Bangor Music Festival and many have been written by young composers based in Wales.
The event which focuses mainly on contemporary music has been a cultural highlight on the city’s calendar for nearly a quarter of a century.
This year it will be staged mainly at the Pontio Arts Centre at Bangor University from Thursday, February 15, to Sunday, February 18.
Artistic Director Guto Pryderi Puw, who has been involved with the festival since it was launched in 2000, said the theme of the 2024 festival is New Music, New Experiences.
In addition to a series of major concerts, it also features a range of discussions, lectures, workshops and educational projects.
Launching the programme for 2024 Guto, a Reader in Music Composition at Bangor University’s Department of Music, Drama and Performance, said: “The new compositions will be performed during our main concerts in Theatr Bryn Terfel at Pontio on February 17 and 18.
“They promise to be exciting concerts with a range of musical styles being performed for the first time.”
The main concert on Saturday, February 17, will feature three brand new works.
Guto said the pieces, Motet IV – Accidental Activists by Richard Baker, The day following by Lynne Plowman and Nathan James Dearden’s The Wind Sweepers were commissioned for the festival by UPROAR, Wales’ main new music ensemble.
“These are three new bold compositions, inspired by, and responding to contemporary life in Wales by three very exciting composers working and living in Wales,” said Guto.
The concert, which starts at 7.30pm, also features music by well-known American composer John Adams’ Son of Chamber Symphony and Symphonie Diagonale by Austrian female composer, Olga Neuwirth.
Beforehand there will be a pre-concert talk with the three commissioned composers in the company of festival chair, Rhiannon Mathias.
Earlier in the day pieces written by emerging composers feature in a lunchtime concert at Pontio’s Studio theatre.
The pieces will be showcased by an ensemble from Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre) and will include festival commissions by Aberystwyth born Niamh O’Donnell titled Gratitude and Cardiff-based Tayla-Leigh Payne’s piece, Polarity.
Guto said Niamh and Tayla’s compositions will be accompanied by new music by Gwydion Rhys, from Rachub, near Bangor, and the late Welsh composer Hillary Tann alongside two pieces selected from the call for scores for the William Mathias Composition Prize.
“Gwydion is a student at the Royal College of Music in London where he is studying composition with Alison Kay and the piece to be played at the festival is the one he won the Composer’s Medal at the Urdd National Eisteddfod at Llandovery, Carmarthenshire last May.
“He is also a fine cellist and is a former pupil of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias,” he said, “and it’s great that the Centre is continuing his musical development, but this time focusing on his creative side rather than his performance!”
Later in the afternoon young talented performers currently at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias will be performing an eclectic mix of music for soloists and ensembles in Pontio’s Bar Ffynnon.
Also during the afternoon and in various public spaces in the Pontio building, the Bangor New Music Ensemble will present new music by Bangor University student composers.
On Sunday, February 18, Electroacoustic Wales will take part in a live performance in Theatr Bryn Terfel at Pontio with the Sound and Image Research Centre at London’s University of Greenwich and Luxi Tian, a PhD student at Bangor University, who plays the Guzheng, a Chinese plucked zither.
The concert, which starts at 3pm, will also feature the World Premiere of Jo Thomas’ work, Cascade Infinity, commissioned by the festival.
Guto said Jo Thomas is a successful composer, sound artist, producer and performer who works primarily with electronic sound.
He said: “She often works with recorded sounds and creatively manipulate them into an interesting collage that is performed through an immersive PA system. Her inspiration often uses emotive thematic elements, such as feelings or personal reactions.
“For this year’s festival she has collaborated with Luxi Tian who plays the Guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument, and will focus on writing a piece for meditation and relaxation that involves the wonderful sounds of the traditional instrument and some atmospheric electronic sounds.”
Guto added Jo, who is now based in London but hails from Bangor, studied music at Bangor University where she gained a Masters degree.
Earlier in the day, Electroacoustic Wales, directed by Andrew Lewis, will present a selection of pieces written by Bangor University student composers. This hour-long concert starts at 12.30pm
The festival’s opening concert on Thursday, February 15 features Cardiff-based Afro Cluster who will join local ensemble Banda Bacana in an evening of music from two continents that is inspired by African music and Samba rhythms.
Staged cabaret style at Pontio’s Theatr Bryn Terfel Guto said the auditorium seats will be replaced by tables and chairs but with plenty of space for dancing, which is encouraged.
“Banda Bacana’s music is great for dancing and the cabaret style setting will make it more of a gig than a formal concert,” he said. “They have a great local following and their set is always lively and full of rhythmic energy.”
During the festival Marie-Claire Howorth will host sessions introducing music to children aged six months to three years old and later with four to seven year olds. These sessions are staged in collaboration with Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias. Also, Ash Cooke will host an improvisation workshop as part of the Tŷ Cerdd’s Off-Grid activities.
In addition the festival will stage a day of workshops for local schools in early February.
Guto said local musicians Dewi Ellis Jones (percussionist) and Mared Emlyn (harpist) will offer Anglesey secondary school pupils “an eclectic mix of new music” in their composition and performance workshops.

02/02/2021

A top music festival will be going virtual for the first time this year when the audiences will be treated to a quintet of world premieres.
While focusing mainly on contemporary music, the Bangor Music Festival has been a cultural highlight on the city’s calendar for more than 20 years and it is due to go ahead on March 12-13.
This year the series of concerts under the theme of ‘the environment’ will be streamed online, with organisers committed to ensuring those watching and listening can still enjoy the festival’s repertoire of musical delights, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Amongst the highlights will be a tribute concert on the first evening to acclaimed Welsh composer John Metcalf, featuring his new string quartet alongside new works by festival’s artistic director Guto Pryderi Puw, Bangor University graduate Thomas Whitcombe and emerging British-Malaysian composer Jasmin Kent Rodgman.

John Metcalf’s Harp Scrapbook will be performed during the lunchtime concert by the widely-admired Welsh harpist and composer Mared Emlyn from Eglwysbach in the Conwy Valley, who will also be unveiling her latest composition.
The Bangor University graduate, whose past achievements include winning the Urdd National Eisteddfod’s Chief Composition Medal in 2011 and receiving a number of high profile commissions, said: “I am currently working on the composition and look forward to sharing it during the festival.
“I have performed previously at the Bangor Music Festival and it is an event I have always enjoyed. Guto has always commissioned young people and given them the opportunity to be involved in the festival. It is a really good thing.”
Mared, 32, is full of praise for the way organisers have ensured the festival could proceed this year.
“It is a shame we cannot perform live to the audience but we are managing to adapt,” said Mared.
“I wish to congratulate Guto on the fact this is happening under the circumstances. I am delighted that there is still an opportunity to perform.”

Guto, who has been involved with the festival since it was launched in 2000, is currently working on his own composition titled String Quartet #1 – Your paths overflow with plenty and putting the final touches to the festival plans.
“Considering the restrictions that we face I was adamant the festival should be going ahead this year,” said Guto, who works as a music lecturer at Bangor University’s School of Music, Drama and Performance.
Guto said: “Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on the creative industries and we feel it’s so important that we are able to stage the festival and in doing so to continue to support musicians, composers, sound and recording technicians while also trying to fill the vacuum of music events that audiences are currently experiencing.
“As a festival, we have always believed in offering emerging talent the opportunity to be involved and that will happen again this year.”
The new compositions in the tribute concert will be performed by the exciting Solem Quartet, with all the works focusing on the festival’s theme of ‘the environment’.
“I believe John Metcalf’s contribution deserves to be celebrated in his 75th year,” added Guto. “Many will agree with me that he is regarded as the main Welsh composer of his generation and through his compositions and various involvement in directing music festivals over the years his contribution to the musical life within this country is invaluable.
“As a nation we need to be very comfortable and confident in celebrating our own culture. We are most proud to be able to celebrate what John has achieved and is still achieving during his long and distinguished career.
“We are fortunate to have the Solem Quartet here to perform. They are very fine musicians and have already made a notable impression within the classical circuits.
“Also we hope our regular audience will still be able to join us online for the festival, as well as people who may never have seen it before!”

The tribute concert represents something of a generation game for the featured composers. Not only will John be celebrating his 75th birthday this year, but Guto is due to turn 50 and Thomas will be a youthful 25.
For Thomas, the festival provides a hasty reunion with Bangor after he spent several years studying in the city until he completed his Masters degree in Composition last year.
Thomas, who is looking forward to sharing the world premiere of his composition Micro during the tribute concert, said: “I am really grateful for the opportunities the festival has provided for me. It is a festival I really enjoy.
“There is an excellent range of music in the festival and I would encourage everybody to watch the concerts.
“I have great memories of my time in Bangor. The events of the last nine to ten months have really put things in perspective and made me realise just how much I enjoyed living there.”

John Metcalf, whose composition will be a preview of Towards Silence – Winter Journey ahead of it being officially premiered later this year, was appointed an MBE in 2012 for services to music.
His lengthy list of credits from a lifetime working in the industry includes composing seven operas and helping the next generation of musicians through leading composition workshops.
He is full of praise for the contribution Bangor Music Festival makes to helping talent thrive.
“I have great respect for the festival. I admire the opportunities it provides for young people and I appreciate the quality of their work,” said John, of Lampeter, Ceredigion.
“There are not enough platforms for new music in Wales and there is a lack of critical discussion around new music in Wales. This festival plays a really valuable role.
“I am delighted about what they are doing for me. It is very thoughtful and it means a lot that Guto has wanted to do this.”
Completing the line-up for the tribute concert will be an impressive new work composed by Jasmin Kent Rodgman, co-commissioned by Solem Quartet and the music festival.
Metcalf’s musical endeavours will be further celebrated on the opening day of the festival with the two-part Zoomposium – The Music of John Metcalf featuring online talks by renowned and respected academics, critics and performers.

The second day of the festival will feature a number of stellar names, with the award-winning soprano Caryl Hughes, baritone Paul Carey Jones and pianist Wyn Davies joining forces to provide an enchanting celebration of John Metcalf’s songs and opera arias.
There will also be a chance for the next generation to showcase their talents, crowned by performances of music by emerging composers by the Bangor New Music Ensemble and friends.
Bringing the curtain down on the festival will be the innovative Electroacoustic Wales, with their concert featuring music by the acclaimed Canadian composer Hildegard Westerkamp and Bangor resident Andrew Lewis.