''Atgof o'r Sêr'' (Memory of the Stars) is a musical composition by Welsh contemporary composer
Robat Arwyn
Robat Arwyn (born November 1959) is a musical composer from Ruthin, North Wales, best known for his many Welsh-language songs. His notable compositions include the songs "Anfonaf Angel" and "Benedictus".
Arwyn was born in Talysarn, in the Nantlle ...
.
It was commissioned for the 2001
National Eisteddfod of Wales
The National Eisteddfod of Wales (Welsh language, Welsh: ') is the largest of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales. Its eight days of competitions and performances are considered the largest music and poetry festival in Eur ...
in
Denbighshire and was written specifically for baritone singer
Bryn Terfel, soprano
Fflur Wyn
Cassivellaunus was a historical Celtic Britons, British military leader who led the defence against Caesar's invasions of Britain, Julius Caesar's second expedition to Britain in 54 BC. He led an alliance of tribes against Ancient Rome, Roman for ...
, and the Ruthun and District Choir.
Following the live performance at the National Eisteddfod, a book of the music score was published by Curiad, and the recording was released as an album by
Sain in 2002. ''Atgof o'r Sêr'' comprises eight movements that set Welsh-language poems about stars to music. The title song was written by poet
Robin Llwyd ab Owain
Robin Llwyd ab Owain is a Welsh author, poet, and Wikipedian. He won the chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 1991. In 2013, he was appointed Wikimedia UK's first Wales Manager. He is the son of poet and writer Owain Owain.
Writing
In ...
, translated into Welsh from English.
Allmusic gave the recording three out of five stars, noting that Bryn Terfel dominates the album, and giving Fflur Wyn's soprano as a highlight.
[
Due to its success, a second musical based on the life of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales, was performed in August 2005: 'Er Hwylio'r Haul' ("Although the Sun has Set"); it was written by Robat Arwyn. The soloists were Bryn Terfel and soprano Fflur Wyn. It is published in a book under the same title by Curiad.
]
References
Welsh-language albums
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