Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias
April 16th –23rd 2006
GALERI, CAERNARFON
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Honorary President: Dr. OSIAN ELLIS, WALES
Director: ELINOR BENNETT, WALES
Guest Artists:
ISABELLE MORETTI, FRANCE • DEBORAH HENSON-CONANT, USA • CATRIN FINCH, WALES
ANDREW LAWRENCE-KING • ROBIN HUW BOWEN • PAUL DOOLEY • CATRIONA McKAY
ZI LAN LIAO • GWENAN GIBBARD • LLIO RHYDDERCH • EDWARD WITSENBURG
Principal Sponsor: CAMAC HARPS
In association with Vining Harps
The Wales International Harp Festival held at Galeri Caernarfon has been a resounding success. The week long festival, the first ever attracted over 100 young harpists from 22 countries across the world reflecting a phenomenal growth in the popularity of the instrument in recent years.
‘It has certainly been one of the most successful Harp Festivals ever held‘ said Jakez Francois, the head of French Harp Makers, Camac. 'The setting in this iconic building on the banks of the Menai Straits has been perfect.’
Three of the Five competitions were won by Welsh harpists. Indeed, it was a double success story for 14 year old Glain Dafydd from Bangor as she beat strong international competition and claimed first prize in both under 16 and under 21 categories.
Results of the Competitions
Under 13 Competition
1st Ben Creighton Griffiths (Wales), 2nd Artemy Izmayolav (Russia), 3rd Kzenya Karrask (Russia)
Under 16
1st Glain Dafydd (Wales), 2nd Tomos Xerri (Wales), 3rd Zahava Lever (England)
Under 21
1st Glain Dafydd (Wales), 2nd Mali Llywelyn (Wales), 3rd Elen Hydref (Wales)
The traditional Harp Competition
1st Mairi Macleod (Scotland), 2nd Mael Lhopitou (Brittany), 3rd Branka Crowder (Serbia & Montenegro/England)
Chief Musician
1st Constance Luzzati (France), 2nd Eleanor Turner (England), 3rd Eva Debonne (France)
Geraint Lewis, one of the jury, said the standards were extremely high.’The inspirational playing we’ve heard here this week augurs well for the future – it’s been a real privilege to be here. These young harpists have been magnificent.’
The evening concerts featuring Catrin Finch, Isabelle Morietti and Deborah Henson Conant were all sold out. Masterclasses and Workshops also proved extremely popular.
Festival Director Elinor Bennett, and Artistic Director of the William Mathias Music Centre says she is delighted: ‘It’s been a terrific week of music making.'
Contacts:
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias, Galeri, Doc Victoria, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 1SQ, Wales, UK
Email: cgwm@lineone.net
Tel: +44 (0)1286 685230
Website: www.canolfangerddwilliammathias.com
Information on travel to Caernarfon and accomodation in the area is available by visiting www.visitsnowdonia.info and searching for Caernarfon area. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Programme
Easter Sunday - April 16
4.00pm : Opening of Harp Exhibition by Jakez Francois from CAMAC Harps
Camac Harps will be exhibiting throughout the week
7.30pm : Opening Concert Isabelle Moretti - Professor of Harp, Conservatoire Nationale Superieur du Musique et de la Danse, Paris.
Tickets : £10 . £8 . £6
Easter Monday - April 17
9.30am - 7pm : Competition under 13, stage 1. JURY - Geraint Lewis, Meinir Heulyn, Eleanor Hudson
2 - 5pm : Come and play the Harp - Harp ensembles in groups. Limited availability, early booking essential.
7.00pm : Music in the bar - Dylan Cernyw
Tuesday - April 18
10am - 4.30pm : Competition under 16, stage 1.
1pm : Workshop - Zi Lan Liao, chinese harp
2pm - 4pm : Come and play the Harp - Harp ensembles in groups
4pm : Masterclass - Catrin Finchl
7.30pm : Sain Concert - World Harp Music. Performances by traditional harpists from several countries - Andrew Lawrence King (Cross-Strung Spanish Harp), Robin Huw Bowen (Welsh Triple Harp), Paul Dooley (Ireland - Wire strung harp), Catriona McKay (Scotland - Clarsach), Zi Lan Liao (Ku-cheng Chinese harp), Gwenan Gibbard (Wales - Clarsach and voice). Sponsored by Sain Records.
Tickets : £10 . £8 . £6
9.30pm : Late night music in the bar
Wednesday - April 19
9.30am - 3pm : Traditional and Folk harp competition, stage 1. JURY - Robin Huw Bowen, Paul Dooley, Catriona McKay
11am : Workshop with Andrew Lawrence King - 'The Harp of Ludovico'. Bring any harp. An opportunity to learn about the playing techniques of the early Spanish harpists.
1-2pm : Lunchtime Music from France
1- 6.30pm : Competition under 21, stage 1. JURY - Geraint Lewis, Ann Griffiths, David Watkins
4- 6pm : Master Class with Edward Witsenburg. For advanced students and teachers.
7.30pm : Chamber Music Concert with Catrin Finch, Elinor Bennett, and the Pavao String Quartet. Music by Debussy, Caplet, Saint-Saens, Bizet, and the first performance of "Melangell" by Geraint Lewis. Sponsored by Brynteg Caravan Park.
Tickets : £12 . £10 . £6 (concessions)
9.30pm : Late night music in the bar
Thursday - April 20
9.30am- 5pm : "Master Musician" competition stage 1. JURY - John Metcalf, Ann Griffiths, Isabelle Moretti, Edward Witsenburg
11am : Master Class with David Watkins
1-2pm : Lunchtime Music
2pm : Final competition under 13 - at St.Mary's Church
2pm : Workshop 'The History of the Triple Harp in Wales' - Robin Huw Bowen
5.30pm : Final competition under 16 - at St.Mary's Church
8pm : Noson Lawen - Traditional informal concert featuring the harp and song, with Arfon Gwilym, Robin Huw Bowen and others.
Tickets : £3
Friday - April 21
10am - 1.20pm and 2.20- 4.20pm : “Master Musician competition” stage 2
1-2pm : Lunchtime Irish Music with Paul Dooley
2.30 - 5pm : Jazz Workshop with Deborah Henson-Conant - Bring your harp
6.30- 8.40pm : Final Competition Under 21
9.00- 10.40pm : Final Traditional and Folk Harp Competition, and
Saturday - April 22
10am : Meet the Composers - Workshop with Geraint Lewis, Pwyll ap Sion and Guto Puw
11am : Llio Rhydderch - Triple harp recital
12pm : "Hands on Harps" Sarah Deere Jones, for beginners
1pm : 'Cornwall Harp Centre' in the bar
2pm : Masterclass with Isabelle Perrin
4pm : All Jam! Everyone needs a harp in this!
5pm : ASTERIAS - harp, clarinet and cello ensemble from Brittany
7.30pm : Jazz Concert: Deborah Henson-Conant
Tickets : £12 . £10 . £6
Sunday - April 23
2.30pm : Master Musician Concert. The final stage of the competition for young professional harpists under 30. Each finalist will perform the "Introduction and Allegro" by Maurice Ravel. Winners of the other four competitions will be invited to perform while the jury are deliberating.
Tickets : £10
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“The apprenticeship system of harp playing dates back to the Laws of Hywel Dda (950AD)
when the master musician received a substantial sum of money for training a pupil.”
Wyn Thomas |
The Competitions
1. THE MASTER MUSICIAN COMPETITION
Pencerdd
Open for competitors under 30 years of age, born on or after April 1st 1976
Stage 1 : Programme up to 20 minutes’ duration : own choice, showing different musical styles, and to include
“Rhythm Study” from "Harp Scrapbook” by John Metcalf.
Stage 2 : A balanced programme of between 25-30 minutes, to include a new work for harp composed in the last 20 years from any country in the world.
Final : RAVEL : Introduction and Allegro
PRIZES
1st NEW CONCERT GRAND HARP FROM CAMAC
VALUE £15,000
Recitals which will be organised by Camac for the winner in Paris and Cardiff as part of the prize.
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2. CHILDREN’S COMPETITION
“Apprentice for a time without a degree”
Under 13: Children born on or after April 1st 1993. Pedal, and non-pedal harps
Stage 1: Free choice programme no longer than 5 minutes duration
Stage 2 Final : Free choice programme no longer than 8 minutes’ duration.
Programme can contain up to 3 minutes from Stage 1, and will reflect the contestant’s level of attainment.
PRIZES : 1st £300 . 2nd £200 . 3rd £100
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3. YOUTH COMPETITION
“Apprentice for a time with a degree”
Under 16: Date of birth on, or after, April 1st 1990 . Pedal and non-pedal harps
Stage 1 :
Programme of music, showing different styles, no longer than 10 minutes duration to include one of the following sets of variations from “Edward Jones’ Classics” edited by Meinir Heulyn (published by Alaw, Pontypridd)
All through the night • The Tune of David the Prophet • The Poet’s Muse
Final:
Programme, (no longer than 15 minutes’ duration) can include up to 5 minutes from stage 1, and at least one of the following:
Ann Griffiths: Fantasia No 1 “Sweet but dreamy Gwennie” or "What is summer to me" (published by Adlais, Abergafenni) Pedal Harps.
or
Jakez Francois: One of the pieces from “Easy Swing” (Pedal and non-pedal harps)
Published by Gerard Billaudot
Prizes : 1st £800 . 2nd £400 . 3rd £200
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4. “Amenable Apprentice” COMPETITION
Under 21: Born on or after April 1st 1985 . Pedal Harps
Stage 1 :
Programme of music up to 15 minutes duration, showing different styles,
and to include the set work:
William Mathias - Three Improvisations (Oxford University Press)
Stage 2 :
A recital programme of no longer than 20 minutes’ duration, to include “Hiraeth” by Grace Williams (University of Wales Press), and can include one work from Stage 1.
PRIZES : 1st £1000 . 2nd £ 600 . 3rd £300
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5. Traditional and Folk Harp Competitions
“Apprentice of the Master Musician”
All kinds of harps without mechanisms
Harpists of any age may apply
Stage 1 :
Programme up to 10 minutes’ duration. A varied programme from more than one tradition ( e.g Welsh, Irish, Scottish, Breton, South American, Chinese, etc.,)
At least one piece must be from a tradition which is different to the competitor’s own.
Final :
Programme, up to 15 minutes’ duration, own choice
PRIZES : 1st CAMAC Concert Celtic harp (VALUE £3,000)
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RULES
1. All competitions are open to harpists of any nationality.
2. There is no minimum “cut-off” age for any of the competitions i.e. a competitor is free to enter any class provided that he / she is under the required age.
3. The decisions of the Jury are final and binding, and cannot be challenged. The competition organisers reserve the right not to award prizes if the standard is not high enough in the opinion of a majority of the members of the Jury.
4. On the opening day of each competition, names will be pulled out of a hat to decide on the order of performance, which will be followed at each stage.
5. Competitors may bring their own harp, or apply for the loan of an instrument. The organisers cannot guarantee to find the exact style and make of harp requested, but every attempt will be made to satisfy the request, which must be specified on the application form.
6. In the competitions under 16 years of age, the choice of programme will necessarily reflect the level of each contestant’s attainment, and this will be taken into consideration by the Jury.
7. The deadline for receiving entries is now January 31st, 2006
8. Harpists may compete in more than one category, but must pay an extra £25 per competition.
9. Details and times of events will be available in January 2006.
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