Chorus of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC National Orchestra Of Wales, Owain Arwel Hughes, Susan Bullock, Paul Carey Jones, Rhodri Prys-jones – Arwel Hughes: Oratorio Dewi Sant (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Chorus of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC National Orchestra Of Wales, Owain Arwel Hughes, Susan Bullock, Paul Carey Jones, Rhodri Prys-jones – Arwel Hughes: Oratorio Dewi Sant (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:13:46 minutes | 1,24 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RUBICON

Arwel Hughes (1909-1988) was the tenth son of a Welsh coal miner, and his progress through life was a remarkable one.  Along the way, he studied composition at the Royal College of Music, where his tutors were Gordon Jacob, Gustav Holst and, importantly, Vaughan Williams.

During WWII, he worked for the BBC, becoming Head of Music for BBC Wales. He actively encouraged and supported the music of his Welsh contemporaries who included Daniel Jones, Grace Williams, Alun Hoddinott and William Mathias.

Arwel Hughes composed a symphony, two operas, three string quartets, a mass, much choral music and shorter orchestral pieces.

The oratorio Dewi Sant (Saint David) was composed for the festival of Britain in 1951 as the main Welsh contribution. The text was written by his friend and colleague at the BBC, Aneurin Talfan Davies. The text is based on the life of the patron saint of Wales, David (c520 – 588AD). Davies drew inspiration from the 11th century Latin Vita by Rhygyfarch, who was the son of a Bishop of St David’s.

The sound world of the oratorio has flashes of Wagner and Vaughan Williams, and, similar the latter composer, never loses sight of the fact that this music should be performed by amateur performers as well as professional choruses and orchestras. It is a work of great skill and is both melodious and dramatic.

This recording, conducted by the composer’s son, is the first recording in the original Welsh.

Tracklist:
1-01. Chorus of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales – Oratorio for 3 Solo Voices, Chorus & Orchestra: Chorus. Molwn Di (06:34)
1-02. Susan Bullock – Oratorio for 3 Solo Voices, Chorus & Orchestra: Soprano. pwy ddaw gryman I’r meysydd gwyn? (14:26)
1-03. Paul Carey Jones – Oratorio for 3 Solo Voices, Chorus & Orchestra: Baritone. Bwya, fy mab, paham y mynni watward Duw (10:13)
1-04. Chorus of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales – Oratorio for 3 Solo Voices, Chorus & Orchestra: Female Chorus. O dyred, Dewi, I Wlad goleuni (07:53)
1-05. Rhodri Prys-jones – Oratorio for 3 Solo Voices, Chorus & Orchestra: Tenor. Y dydd Sul hwnnw Y canod Dewi offeren (13:37)
1-06. Rhodri Prys-jones – Oratorio for 3 Solo Voices, Chorus & Orchestra: Tenor. O Ddydd Sul hyd Ddydd Mercher (08:40)
1-07. Rhodri Prys-jones – Oratorio for 3 Solo Voices, Chorus & Orchestra: Tenor. Kyrie eleison (12:20)

Download: