Rhys a Meinir, by Cian Ciarán

Rhys a Meinir

by Cian Ciarán

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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Hero Leader God, Rhys a Meinir, They Are Nothing Without Us, Outside In, and Bowl Me Over. , and , .

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1.	Rhys A Meinir 04:07	buy track
2.	Agor I Mi Fel Y Môr 05:46	buy track
3.	Mwydryn Yn Mynd Am Adre 02:29	buy track
4.	Haul O Rywle'n Tywynnu 04:07	buy track
5.	I'r Golwg Drwy'r Golau 01:44	buy track
6.	Golau'n Y Gwyll 01:09	buy track
7.	Safodd Yn Stond 02:58	buy track
8.	Meinir Yn Un Â Minnau 01:59	buy track
9.	Marwydos 02:34	buy track
10.	Gwe Arian 00:46	buy track
11.	Sŵn Neithior 02:23	buy track
12.	Roeddwn I'n Gyfan 01:59	buy track
13.	Rhedeg 03:01	buy track
14.	Eiliadau'n Fwledi 01:37	buy track
15.	Cuddio 01:21	buy track
16.	Dal I Gyfri 01:55	buy track
17.	Gwyfyn I'r Fagddu 01:04	buy track
18.	A 'Nghydwybod Yn Ebill 02:43	buy track
19.	Sefyll Yn Dawel 01:03	buy track
20.	Cof Yn Codi Cyfog 01:57	buy track
21.	Alltud 02:55	buy track
22.	Twrw'r Daran Drwy'r Deri 02:58	buy track
23.	Ffawd 01:51	buy track
24.	Yno I Mi Fel Y Môr 02:50	buy track
25.	Meinir Yw Iaith Amynedd 02:05	buy track

about

Producer, songwriter and one fifth of the Welsh psych-pop heroes, Super Furry Animals, Cian Ciarán cuts his classical teeth to tell an ancient story of heartbreak in rural, North Wales using sublime instrumentation and spoken word in this his first orchestral work.

Actor and musician, Rhys Ifans, best known for his roles in The Amazing Spiderman, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and, more recently, Snowden, has contributed to the piece contributing his seasoned, dramatic delivery to the traditional Welsh folk tale of love and loss.

Almost 20 years in the making, the score features many ideas developed while on the road, in sound checks and in studio breaks, while with the band and working on solo projects, coming together in the last five years as a work completed for the 90 piece orchestra and choir to perform. An evocative Welsh-language version of the story, the spoken word element is written by poet Gruffudd Antur.

In an S4C music documentary premiered on 30/11/17, viewers were alongside Ciarán as the 90-piece National Orchestra of Wales performed his first, completed classical score at Cardiff’s Hoddinott Hall in November 2016.

Telling one of Wales’ most dramatic folk fables in a series of twenty three orchestral movements, the orchestra was accompanied in its celebratory first performance by specially commissioned words and evocative Welsh-language version of the story by poet Gruffudd Antur and narrated by actor, Rhys Ifans.

The documentary brings the tragic romance of Rhys & Meinir, as well as Ciarán ambitions for the project, to life. The story follows Rhys and Meinir, destined to find true love in each other, living in the remote village of Nant Gwrtheyrn. Their childhood romance blossomed for all to see, but on the day of their marriage, Meinir is nowhere to be found and the mystery leads Rhys into months of despair. When finally a thunder strike reveals Meinir’s final hiding place, Rhys is unable to live a second longer.

Ciarán says: “The story of Rhys & Meinir was told to me as a young boy, by my father in the village of Nant Gwrtheyrn, where it is set, so has deep resonance with me.

“It’s a double tragedy and there can be no happy ending, but it’s a part of Welsh storytelling and culture, a language and identity, which in turn continues to add to the rich diversity of the world around us. The intermittent spoken word element will give Welsh speakers an outline to follow, but the music will set the mood for everyone. I’ve written it as a sonic experience and, hopefully, a beautifully emotional one, allowing people to imagine the drama of this love story as it unfolds in the splendour of its setting.”

Rhys Ifans: “This is a story told with ingenuity and passion in each word and every note, it has the perfect blend of contrasts, of happy and sad and sweet and sour. The story is shocking, a real heartbreaker, but there’s beauty in the prose and wonder in the music.”

Michael Garvey, Director of BBC National Orchestra of Wales said:
“We’re committed to championing new orchestral music in our programming, so are thrilled to be part of this journey with Cian. This piece is quintessentially Welsh - a wonderful combination of music, folklore and poetry and as Wales’ national orchestra, we’re excited to be performing the world premiere.”

Laurent Garnier: “ Superb album”

Eryl Crump, Daily Post's arts and cultural affairs correspondent: 5* review

credits

released December 1, 2017

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Cian Ciarán Cardiff, UK

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