CD A0128: Queen of the Welsh Harp / Brenhines y Delyn

Queen of the Welsh Harp by Nansi Richards

CD cover: Queen of the Welsh Harp by Nansi RichardsNansi Richards Jones or Telynores Maldwyn ("the Harpist of Montgomeryshire") as she was known, was undoubtedly the outstanding influence in the field of traditional harp-playing in Wales during the 20th century. She not only brought the harp - and especially the traditional Telyn Deires ("the Triple Harp") - back into prominence in Wales, but inspired a generation of young harpists to master the national instrument of Wales, and to discover the treasure of our traditional folk melodies.

This CD brings together 40 tracks made of Nansi Richards between 1947 and 1972, many of which have never been published before.

This collection will be greatly appreciated by all who have a feeling for music, and for the rich and diverse folk tradition which inspired Nansi, and which she in turn presented with such enthusiasm to her audiences, and her many pupils. These pupils have by now passed on her art to a new generation, and so the tradition continues.

 

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Audio Samples

Track Listings

01 - Pwt ar y Bys
02 - Morfa’r Frenhines
03 - Pant Corlan yr Wyn
04 - Pibddaws Gwyr Wrecsam
05 - Morfa Rhuddlan
06 - Dwr Glan
07 - Pen Rhaw
08 - Llydaw
09 - Mathafarn
10 - Ffidl Ffadl
11 - Cainc Dona
12 - Pibddawns Rhif Wyth
13 - Bwrw Melyn
14 - Fairy Dance - Irish Reel
15 - Melfyn
16 - Wyres Megan
17 - Moel yr Wyddfa
18 - Codiad yr Ehedydd
19 - Gwenynen Gwent
20 - Cainc Iona
21 - Gorhoffedd Gwyr Harlech
22 - Cainc Ifan Ddall
23 - Llwyn Onn
24 - Rhyd Ddu
25 - Cainc William Nantgoch
26 - Caerhun
27 - Y Ferch o’r Sgêr
28 - Clychau Aberdyfi
29 - Cainc Dafydd Broffwyd
30 - Erddygan Caer Waun
31 - Sir Watkin’s March
32 - Cader Idris
33 - Pibddawns Abertawe
34 - Napoleon Crossing the Alps
35 - Polca Saforella
36 - Polca Llywelyn Alaw
37 - Beibl Mam
38 - Castell Rhuthun
39 - Pibddawns y Sipsi
40 - Costa’s Wedding
41 - Nes Atat Ti
42 - Bugeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn
43 - Y Gaeaf
44 - Pwt ar y Bys

CD Notes & Credits

Sleeve Notes

The sleeve note which are in Welsh are not reporduced here. There is a short billingual biography which is reproduced below.

Credits

All tracks played on the Triple Harp except tracks 15, 21, 42 & 43 which are played on an 'Erad' pedal harp

All tracks Trad. arr. Nansi Richards except tracks 3, 7, and 18, Trad. arr Edward Jones. Track 43 composed by Nansi Richards

Studio and editing engineer Siwan Lisa Evans.
Studio manager Eryl Bryn Davies.
Director Dafydd lwan.
Made in Wales

Album Information

Instruments: Harp
Genre: Traditional Welsh
Format: CD
Our Ref: A0128
MCPS: SCD2382
Label: Sain
Year: 2001 (recorded between 1947 and 1972)
Origin: Wales (UK)

Artist Information

Nansi Richards (Harp)

Photograph of Nansi RichardsNansi Richards Jones, or Telynores Maldwyn ("the Harpist of Montgomeryshire") as she was known, was undoubtedly the outstanding influence in the field of traditional harp-playing in Wales during the 20th century. She not only brought the harp - and especially the traditional Telyn Deires ("the Triple Harp") - back into prominence in Wales, but inspired a generation of young harpists to master the national instrument of Wales, and to discover the treasury of our traditional folk melodies.

This CD brings together 40 tracks made of Nansi Richards between 1947 and 1972, many of which have never been published before. The technical standard of some of these recordings are understandably defective, and some of the more recent recordings show some deterioration in the standard of playing due to Nansi's failing eyesight, butthis is a unique collection of the work of a major figure in Welsh folk culture.

We know that this collection, "warts and all", will be greatly appreciated by all who have a feeling for music, and for the rich and diverse folk tradition which inspired Nansi, and which she in turn presented with such enthusiasm to her audiences, and her many pupils. These pupils have by now passed on her art to a new generation, and so the tradition continues.

DAFYDD IWAN