Gwenllian

On Friday December 1st 2006, the Welsh triple harpist Llio Rhydderch gave a wonderful performance and talk entitled ‘Whispers From The Past’. Llio Rhydderch and her work embody the idea of ‘rhwng’ in many ways: from deep roots in Ynys Môn her work extends globally; from the base of the raw materials of her tradition she improvises with great freedom; and as a teacher, she forms a bridge between the performers of the past, such as Nansi Richards, and the future. Andrew Cronshaw recently wrote in fRroots magazine that ‘It is impossible to overstate the importance of this triple harpist from the island of Ynys Môn in Welsh, indeed in British music’.

Mae Llio Rhydderch a’i cherddoriaeth yn ymgorffori’r syniad o ‘rhwng’ mewn amryw o ffyrdd: o wreiddiau dwfn yn Ynys Môn y mae ei gwaith yn ymestyn allan i’r byd; ar sylfaen defnydd crai ei thraddodiad, ceir byrfyfyrio cyffrous; ac fel athrawes, mae hi’n creu pont rhwng perfformwyr y gorffennol, fel Nansi Richards, a’r dyfodol. Sgwennai Andrew Cronshaw yng nghylchgrawn fRoots yn ddiweddar: ‘It is impossible to overstate the importance of this triple harpist from the island of Ynys Môn in Welsh, indeed in British music’.

Y Dywysoges Gwenllian, merch Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf

Dan gwrlid, yng nghrud gofid,
Gwawriodd ei dydd ar y Fenai deg

Hunodd aeafau hir
Dan amdo pell

Dihunodd
I’n cofleidio ni.

Cerdd gan/poem by Llio Rhydderch

Princess Gwenllian the daughter of the last Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Gruffydd

Under Môn’s sad gaze
Dawned her day
Cradled and wrapped in sorrow

Forgotten for long winters
Beneath a distant sky

Now awakened,
She embraces us.

Translation by Graham Loveluck

  

Gwenllian yw thema 4ydd CD Llio Rhydderch
CD287H Fflach:tradd

Gwenllian is Llio’s fourth CD. For her full catalogue, see the ‘Fflach Music from Wales‘ site and for more information, see Llio’s official website.

Diolch o galon, Llio!