A Oes Heddwch? Y Daith i'r Llwyfan Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru


A Oes Heddwch? Y Daith i'r Llwyfan

Similar Content

Browse content similar to A Oes Heddwch? Y Daith i'r Llwyfan. Check below for episodes and series from the same categories and more!

Transcript


LineFromTo

-Subtitles

0:00:000:00:00

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:00:000:00:02

-Ellis Humprhey Evans

-was killed 100 years ago...

0:00:050:00:09

-..along with thousands of soldiers

-at the Battle of Passchendaele.

0:00:090:00:14

-Ellis, or Hedd Wyn, won the chair

-at the Birkenhead Eisteddfod...

0:00:140:00:20

-..but he never returned

-to accept his Eisteddfod chair.

0:00:200:00:24

-People felt strongly that this

-event needed to be remembered...

0:00:280:00:32

-..in an unique way.

0:00:320:00:33

-Two years ago,

-the journey started...

0:00:340:00:36

-.. to devise one of the most

-ambitious opening concerts...

0:00:370:00:40

-..of the National Eisteddfod.

0:00:400:00:42

-Four, five years ago,

-myself and Gwawr Wyn Roberts...

0:00:450:00:49

-..were discussing a project

-to commemorate the First World War.

0:00:490:00:54

-It was her idea to commission music

-to remember the life of Hedd Wyn...

0:00:540:00:59

-..and other soldiers

-from the First World War.

0:00:590:01:02

-Gwawr asked us

-if we were interested...

0:01:020:01:05

-..in working together

-on a music project about Hedd Wyn.

0:01:060:01:09

-Since 2017 was the centenary year

-of his death...

0:01:090:01:12

-..we were glad we could do

-something very different.

0:01:120:01:15

-We've been concerned about Hedd Wyn

-fatigue over the years.

0:01:150:01:19

-With the centenary of the

-Black Chair ceremony this year...

0:01:200:01:23

-..it was decided to present

-the work at the National Eisteddfod.

0:01:240:01:27

-We wanted to commemorate

-Hedd Wyn's life in different ways.

0:01:280:01:32

-This was a chance

-to do something special.

0:01:320:01:35

-To start the creative process...

0:01:360:01:38

-..a visit to Hedd Wyn's

-former home was organised...

0:01:380:01:41

-..by project manager

-Mari Pritchard.

0:01:410:01:45

-I was eager not to start this

-journey without bringing...

0:01:450:01:49

-..the Eisteddfod community

-to Yr Ysgwrn...

0:01:490:01:52

-..to experience

-the wonderful atmosphere.

0:01:520:01:55

-The natural starting point was the

-school children of Ysgol Bodedern.

0:01:550:02:00

-The school is literally

-next door to the Eisteddfod.

0:02:010:02:04

-We've been taught about him

-in Welsh lessons...

0:02:050:02:08

-..but we don't really know

-how he lived.

0:02:080:02:10

-That's been very interesting.

0:02:110:02:12

-It was an emotional experience

-seeing the Black Chair.

0:02:130:02:16

-I can't imagine what it was like

-during the ceremony.

0:02:170:02:20

-We were told how people

-started to cry.

0:02:200:02:23

-I can't imagine

-being in that situation.

0:02:240:02:28

-We knew that Hogia Llanbobman

-would be part of the finished work.

0:02:290:02:33

-They're young lads...

0:02:340:02:36

-..the same age as the soldiers

-who left their families.

0:02:360:02:40

-We brought members

-of the working committee here too.

0:02:400:02:44

-I love this place.

0:02:450:02:47

-Being here and being introduced to

-the story even though we know it...

0:02:470:02:51

-..by listening to Gerald and

-the girls, is such an experience.

0:02:520:02:55

-Gerald is Hedd Wyn's nephew.

0:02:560:02:58

-He lived in Yr Ysgwrn

-until very recently.

0:02:580:03:02

-"He died for freedom and honour."

0:03:020:03:05

-Where's the freedom for a soldier

-who's been killed - I don't know.

0:03:050:03:10

-I think the room that's full

-of chairs is a stunning room.

0:03:100:03:15

-So much history, so many stories,

-so much heritage in that room.

0:03:150:03:19

-It's such an interesting place.

0:03:200:03:22

-I've heard great things about

-Yr Ysgwrn but I've never visited.

0:03:230:03:26

-A lot of the lads

-had never been here.

0:03:260:03:28

-I'm glad we had the chance

-and it didn't disappoint.

0:03:280:03:31

-We'd heard a lot about Gerald,

-the main man.

0:03:320:03:36

-He said that there was something

-here and we felt it today.

0:03:360:03:40

-Hedd Wyn is important...

0:03:420:03:44

-..and more importantly,

-he's a symbol of a creator who died.

0:03:440:03:49

-He was a poet, a creative creature.

0:03:490:03:52

-The creative creature

-was killed by a beast...

0:03:530:03:57

-..that killed hundreds

-and hundreds of thousands.

0:03:570:04:02

-The centenary of his death...

0:04:020:04:04

-..and the opportunity to do

-something during the Eisteddfod...

0:04:040:04:08

-..gives us the chance to remember.

0:04:080:04:10

-He was no more special than anyone

-else who died during the war...

0:04:100:04:14

-..but he stands as a symbol

-of what happened to many Welsh men.

0:04:140:04:18

-Originally, we wanted a story

-about Trawsfynydd...

0:04:180:04:21

-..and then we wondered why

-we had a story about Trawsfynydd...

0:04:220:04:26

-..in the Anglesey Eisteddfod.

0:04:270:04:29

-It didn't take us long to realise

-that it was our privilege...

0:04:290:04:34

-..to be able to commemorate

-the centenary.

0:04:340:04:38

-The comments and suggestions

-of the group...

0:04:380:04:41

-..were presented to brothers

-Aled and Dafydd Hughes...

0:04:420:04:45

-..who would compose the music

-for the concert.

0:04:460:04:49

-Writing for a choir

-was a whole new experience...

0:04:490:04:53

-..for the two members

-of Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog.

0:04:530:04:57

-We were looking for an outline.

0:04:580:05:00

-We wanted to come in

-with a clear idea...

0:05:010:05:04

-..without it having to be complete.

0:05:050:05:07

-As long as we came in

-with some kind of vision...

0:05:070:05:10

-..of how to interpret the story...

0:05:100:05:13

-Well, that's what we did.

0:05:130:05:14

-I don't know how other people do it

-but it worked for us.

0:05:150:05:18

-I think we had a clear

-and definite idea.

0:05:180:05:22

-We had a clear idea

-but we were also flexible.

0:05:220:05:25

-We wanted to work with other people

-and bring people in.

0:05:250:05:29

-We wanted to work with Guto Dafydd.

0:05:300:05:34

-That opportunity came

-and he worked a lot on the words.

0:05:360:05:40

-I wanted to write something

-that was singable.

0:05:400:05:44

-The words are simple, there's

-nothing highbrow about them.

0:05:440:05:47

-I hope people

-can understand them easily.

0:05:480:05:51

-They're singable,

-they're memorable, I hope.

0:05:520:05:55

-I didn't want to create something...

0:05:550:05:58

-..that was too difficult

-to understand.

0:05:580:06:01

-It's a simple story about a man

-the same age as myself...

0:06:010:06:04

-..who was killed in battle

-before realising one of his dreams.

0:06:050:06:08

-I wanted to keep the story

-as simple as that.

0:06:090:06:11

-Guto Dafydd deserves the praise

-for the narrative and the story.

0:06:120:06:16

-It's not a show

-just about Hedd Wyn...

0:06:160:06:19

-..it's a show about the Eisteddfod,

-about war...

0:06:200:06:23

-..and the role of the Eisteddfod,

-then and now.

0:06:230:06:26

-It's a general story.

0:06:270:06:28

-Hedd Wyn is the strand

-that runs through it.

0:06:280:06:31

-We're using Hedd Wyn

-to represent everyone.

0:06:320:06:35

-We've added as many elements

-as we can.

0:06:360:06:38

-We looked at the role of women

-during that time...

0:06:380:06:41

-..we looked at the role

-of the power brokers...

0:06:410:06:45

-..we looked at chapels, fairs

-and the rural community.

0:06:450:06:50

-We're trying to portray a picture

-of leaving rural Meirionnydd...

0:06:510:06:55

-..for the horror of war.

0:06:550:06:56

-I particularly like the song

-that opens the show - Canrif.

0:07:040:07:08

-It's a song about

-our attitude to the war today.

0:07:080:07:13

-We think about the fields of battle

-as green fields...

0:07:130:07:19

-..fields that now look

-neat and tidy.

0:07:190:07:22

-Part of the challenge for us

-was to avoid that image...

0:07:230:07:26

-..and return to the filth and horror

-of war where people were killed...

0:07:260:07:30

-..and flesh was torn from bodies.

0:07:310:07:34

-The music for that song confirms

-something that's important to me.

0:07:350:07:38

-It's a celebration, we're paying

-homage to their history...

0:07:390:07:45

-..by trying to understand...

0:07:460:07:48

-..and interpret their feelings

-at the time.

0:07:480:07:52

-We're trying to depict them

-as people, like you and me.

0:07:520:07:56

-By doing that,

-I hope we can do them some justice.

0:07:570:08:00

-The call was heard

-across the island.

0:08:010:08:04

-Over 180 Anglesey voices

-gathered together to form a choir.

0:08:040:08:09

-That's when the vision became alive.

0:08:090:08:12

-I'm looking forward

-to presenting two new songs.

0:08:140:08:18

-Everyone's so eager and enthusiastic

-about the music...

0:08:190:08:22

-..it's a pleasure to work with them.

0:08:220:08:24

-I'm sure they'll be excited

-about the two new songs.

0:08:240:08:27

-We had a great response

-for the choir.

0:08:340:08:36

-Everyone wanted to be

-part of the project.

0:08:370:08:40

-The places filled up quickly

-which was very encouraging.

0:08:400:08:44

-What's nice about

-the Eisteddfod choir...

0:08:440:08:46

-..is having a cross-section

-of ages and backgrounds.

0:08:470:08:51

-They're a group

-that's interested in singing...

0:08:510:08:55

-..but there are new members

-who want to sing.

0:08:550:08:59

-The generations have come together

-and it works well.

0:09:000:09:05

-We had a new piece today from

-the fair and it was very up tempo.

0:09:070:09:12

-That was very different

-and it's nice having a contrast...

0:09:120:09:16

-..from the melancholy to the merry.

0:09:160:09:22

-We heard on the first night

-the plan for the show.

0:09:230:09:28

-We learnt more about the show

-as more songs are introduced.

0:09:280:09:34

-I'm enjoying it, I didn't think I

-would at the start but I really am.

0:09:350:09:41

-Mari, Catrin and the team are great.

0:09:410:09:47

-People are excited on the island.

0:09:470:09:49

-Rehearsals are packed each time.

0:09:500:09:52

-There are many singers

-in the choir...

0:09:520:09:55

-..which is a reflection

-of the excitement.

0:09:560:09:58

-.

0:10:020:10:03

-Subtitles

0:10:040:10:04

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:10:040:10:05

-With the passing of the seasons,

-rehearsals continue...

0:10:050:10:09

-..as the Eisteddfod approaches.

0:10:100:10:12

-..as the Eisteddfod approaches.

-

-Getting nervous.

0:10:120:10:13

-We're under pressure

-to learn the pieces and the words.

0:10:130:10:17

-It's getting exciting

-and it's starting to come together.

0:10:170:10:21

-We're getting an idea

-of how good it'll be.

0:10:210:10:23

-I'm still enjoying it.

0:10:240:10:27

-If you're feeling down, being here

-on a Saturday will lift the spirits.

0:10:270:10:32

-I've enjoyed myself very much

-and I'm still enjoying myself.

0:10:350:10:39

-What's given me

-the most enjoyment...

0:10:390:10:42

-..is learning about ordinary people

-who were part of history.

0:10:420:10:47

-It's as if the music

-has gone under our skins.

0:10:510:10:54

-Initially, I didn't like

-some of the music...

0:10:550:10:57

-..and all of a sudden,

-it grew on me.

0:10:580:11:00

-The songs Aled, Dafydd and Guto

-have written have grabbed us all.

0:11:020:11:06

-Our hope is that the audience

-will be drawn in after one go.

0:11:060:11:12

-They'll only hear the songs once.

0:11:120:11:14

-With the music taking shape,

-the creative panel were eager...

0:11:150:11:18

-..to include a dramatic element

-to the staging.

0:11:180:11:21

-Siwan Llynor has years of experience

-on stage and backstage.

0:11:210:11:27

-Come and sing.

0:11:270:11:28

-The more I researched the story...

0:11:300:11:33

-..the more interesting stories

-I discovered.

0:11:330:11:38

-I read newspaper articles

-about the ceremony.

0:11:390:11:44

-There was so much information

-in them.

0:11:440:11:48

-I wanted to share this information

-with others.

0:11:480:11:52

-I decided that in terms

-of the spoken word...

0:11:520:11:58

-..I'd use historical sources...

0:11:580:12:02

-..by combining Hedd Wyn's poems

-with newspaper articles...

0:12:020:12:06

-..and also letters

-from Anglesey soldiers.

0:12:060:12:11

-Finding the balance between

-the entertainment and the history...

0:12:110:12:16

-..is difficult,

-it's such a fine line.

0:12:160:12:19

-You have to show respect.

0:12:200:12:22

-My fear is showing disrespect.

0:12:230:12:26

-There are moments of sadness

-during the concert...

0:12:270:12:33

-..but I think it's important

-to remember the sacrifice...

0:12:340:12:39

-..of an entire society

-a century ago.

0:12:390:12:42

-There are a lot of parts

-I'm looking forward to seeing.

0:12:480:12:51

-I'm looking forward

-to seeing Ewch A Nhw working.

0:12:520:12:55

-That's going to be

-a special performance.

0:12:570:13:01

-It's something that made us realise

-how the mothers must have felt.

0:13:010:13:07

-While the choir rehearses, Aled

-and Dafydd are releasing a single...

0:13:130:13:18

-..of the song Osian Candelas sings

-to promote the concert.

0:13:180:13:22

-Today, we're recording the song

-I sing in the show.

0:13:230:13:26

-I haven't heard a lot of it,

-Aled's only just given it to me.

0:13:270:13:31

-It's exciting to record it

-as a single...

0:13:310:13:33

-..and release it before the show.

0:13:340:13:36

-# Mud and blood #

0:13:400:13:43

-Aled asked me

-to be part of the concert.

0:13:440:13:47

-Initially,

-I thought it would be nice...

0:13:470:13:49

-..to be part

-of the Eisteddfod again.

0:13:500:13:52

-Last year,

-Candelas were fortunate enough...

0:13:520:13:55

-..to have the to pavilion gig

-with the orchestra.

0:13:550:13:58

-Great to be part of the Eisteddfod

-and of the opening concert.

0:13:580:14:02

-I think this is the largest project

-we've ever done...

0:14:080:14:12

-..but in some ways, we haven't

-done anything like this before.

0:14:120:14:16

-It's different

-to recording an album.

0:14:160:14:18

-I'm looking forward to it.

0:14:190:14:21

-Today, we're working on a track

-with Osian Huw Candelas.

0:14:210:14:26

-Lleuwen is also part of the show.

0:14:260:14:29

-I'm excited about seeing them

-on the stage with the orchestra.

0:14:290:14:34

-I'm only singing one song

-during the show so I'm quite lucky.

0:14:340:14:38

-I can then sit back

-and watch the show in its entirety.

0:14:390:14:44

-I'm good friends

-with Aled and Dafydd.

0:14:440:14:46

-It's exciting

-that they've written a show.

0:14:460:14:49

-I can watch Casi and Lleuwen

-performing the show...

0:14:490:14:52

-..alongside the choir

-and the orchestra.

0:14:520:14:55

-We have a lot of folk and rock

-influences in our background.

0:14:580:15:02

-We have a full orchestra so we've

-written the music with that in mind.

0:15:030:15:07

-That brings a different slant

-to it.

0:15:070:15:10

-Paul Mealor and Grahame Davies have

-written a requiem for the middle.

0:15:100:15:15

-The show breaks up

-into three thematic parts.

0:15:160:15:22

-They've written the part

-that's in the middle.

0:15:220:15:25

-# Ac os ddo' i fyth yn ol

0:15:260:15:32

-# Bydd rhan ohona i yn dal

-i foddi yn y mwd a'r gwaed

0:15:330:15:40

-# Mwd a'r gwaed

0:15:410:15:47

-# Mwd a'r gwaed #

0:15:480:15:50

-Since the early days

-of the project...

0:15:510:15:53

-..the choral composer, Paul Mealor

-and poet Grahame Davies...

0:15:540:15:58

-..had been writing

-a new requiem for the concert.

0:15:580:16:01

-As you grow up, especially

-if you're involved in the arts...

0:16:020:16:05

-..or as a composer

-that sets poetry...

0:16:050:16:08

-..you have to be aware

-of Hedd Wyn really.

0:16:080:16:11

-I remember when it was

-my 30th birthday...

0:16:110:16:14

-..pretty close to the age

-Hedd Wyn was when he passed away...

0:16:140:16:18

-..it then becomes real.

0:16:180:16:20

-Here I am, at this particular age,

-at that point...

0:16:200:16:24

-..where he was when his life ended.

0:16:240:16:27

-It becomes poignant to you

-as an artist.

0:16:270:16:30

-I was asked to write the meditative

-part, the requiem.

0:16:300:16:34

-It's a tribute

-to Hedd Wyn specifically.

0:16:340:16:37

-With Grahame Davies,

-the great poet...

0:16:370:16:40

-..we put together

-a tribute to Hedd Wyn.

0:16:410:16:43

-There are different ways

-to start something like this.

0:16:440:16:48

-Paul had specific ideas

-about the structure of the piece.

0:16:480:16:52

-He wanted a requiem.

0:16:520:16:53

-He wanted a short requiem

-but there were parts within it...

0:16:560:17:01

-..he wanted to highlight

-and develop.

0:17:020:17:04

-That was the starting point.

0:17:040:17:06

-It begins with wine glasses

-being tuned...

0:17:060:17:09

-..to give this pure,

-gentle, gorgeous chord...

0:17:090:17:13

-..that runs

-throughout the requiem...

0:17:130:17:16

-..as if there's something

-that's constant...

0:17:160:17:19

-..even though life

-is in light and darkness.

0:17:190:17:22

-The mass in his piece is a part

-of a greater musical piece...

0:17:220:17:27

-..which has a different style.

0:17:270:17:30

-It has to represent something

-meditative, something still...

0:17:300:17:36

-..and it was an opportunity

-to look at the situation...

0:17:360:17:42

-..in an elevated manner

-which does justice...

0:17:420:17:46

-..to the grandeur of the subject.

0:17:460:17:49

-I wanted to create something

-that is relevant today...

0:17:510:17:57

-..a hundred years later.

0:17:570:17:59

-The children sing it - they sing

-Sanctus, Sanctus, holy, holy...

0:17:590:18:03

-..in the final part of it.

0:18:030:18:05

-It's perhaps the most moving part...

0:18:050:18:07

-..as we move to the final prayer

-of thanksgiving.

0:18:070:18:10

-Words are crucial to anything

-but the music itself...

0:18:110:18:15

-..has to give the emotion,

-has to give the heart...

0:18:150:18:18

-..to the words' intellect.

0:18:180:18:20

-It's mind and heart together...

0:18:200:18:22

-..to create something

-touching and poignant.

0:18:220:18:24

-I would like people to take away,

-particularly from the requiem...

0:18:250:18:29

-..it's like there is

-in all things dark...

0:18:300:18:33

-..there is a sense of inner light.

0:18:340:18:36

-I want that as a tolling bell.

0:18:360:18:39

-It gives you that sense of hope.

0:18:390:18:41

-I think I want that to be

-something that people take away.

0:18:410:18:45

-Even in the darkest of times,

-there is hope for light.

0:18:450:18:48

-I hope that people

-will appreciate...

0:18:520:18:55

-..the paradoxical element

-in one of the pieces...

0:18:560:19:00

-..of the serene wolves

-and the invincible lambs.

0:19:010:19:05

-People are invited to see

-the unexpected characteristics.

0:19:050:19:09

-That's a challenge for us all...

0:19:130:19:15

-..to search for

-unexpected characteristics...

0:19:160:19:19

-..in familiar

-yet challenging surroundings.

0:19:190:19:23

-One of the difficulties in looking

-at anything to do with war...

0:19:280:19:32

-..is making sure

-you don't glorify war.

0:19:320:19:34

-It's not about that.

-Hedd Wyn's poetry isn't about that.

0:19:340:19:38

-It's about the terror of it.

0:19:380:19:40

-It's about reminding each generation

-how we cannot do it again.

0:19:400:19:43

-When you engage in something

-like this...

0:19:430:19:46

-..if you're serious about it,

-you have to get hold of the story...

0:19:460:19:50

-..and try and say it with as much

-power as you can as an artist...

0:19:500:19:54

-..we cannot do this again...

0:19:540:19:56

-..this terrible thing that we do

-to each other as human beings.

0:19:560:19:59

-From the serenity of the mass

-to daily rural life.

0:20:000:20:03

-Siwan Llynor wanted to highlight

-the role of chapels during the war.

0:20:030:20:09

-I'd done a lot of research into

-recruitment in the quarry area.

0:20:090:20:14

-John Williams Brynsiencyn

-was very active at that time.

0:20:140:20:19

-Coming from Anglesey, he was such

-an influential man during the war...

0:20:190:20:25

-..and we had to include the story

-of John Williams Brynsiencyn.

0:20:260:20:31

-He persuaded so many young men from

-Anglesey to join the war effort.

0:20:340:20:40

-# Felly, felly, Cymru,

-peidiwch bod yn drist

0:20:400:20:44

-# Dewch o'r aelwyd fach

-i blesio Iesu Grist #

0:20:440:20:48

-I sing Can Y Pregethwr.

0:20:490:20:50

-I orate a famous speech

-of his first...

0:20:510:20:53

-..and then we sing the song

-which is a jazzy number.

0:20:540:20:57

-Ministers at that time

-were the pop stars of their age.

0:20:570:21:03

-He convinced the young men

-to become soldiers.

0:21:030:21:06

-The higher the waves,

-the smoother the rock will become.

0:21:070:21:12

-I've just added something extra...

0:21:120:21:15

-..in Craig Yr Oesoedd,

-another Anglesey hymn.

0:21:160:21:19

-# Craig safadwy mewn tymhestloedd

0:21:190:21:26

-# Craig a ddeil yng ngrym y lli #

0:21:260:21:33

-It's nice mixing the hymn into

-John Williams Brynsiencyn's song.

0:21:330:21:38

-# Felly, felly, Cymru,

-peidiwch bod yn drist

0:21:420:21:47

-# Dewch o'r aelwyd fach

-i blesio Iesu Grist #

0:21:470:21:51

-The other hymn they sing,

-Bydd Myrdd O Ryfeddodau...

0:21:510:21:54

-..it was the hymn

-sung by the congregation...

0:21:550:21:58

-..after the chairing ceremony.

0:21:580:22:01

-# Oll yn eu gynau gwynion #

0:22:010:22:08

-The words, "children return

-in their white robes"...

0:22:090:22:12

-..it's as if every aspect

-of the chairing ceremony...

0:22:130:22:18

-..was meticulously planned.

0:22:180:22:21

-I'm not here as the director to say,

-"Look, it was all propaganda".

0:22:240:22:30

-I'm here to show what happened.

0:22:300:22:33

-I'm hoping the audience,

-at home and in the pavilion...

0:22:340:22:38

-..can make up their own mind.

0:22:400:22:42

-With less than a week to go...

0:22:430:22:45

-..the choir convene for the final

-time at Ysgol Y Graig, Llangefni.

0:22:450:22:50

-Many of the artists

-and the management panel...

0:22:500:22:53

-..have turned up

-for a taste of the performance.

0:22:530:22:56

-We started by listening

-to the community...

0:22:580:23:01

-..and it ends with a choir of people

-from the Eisteddfod area.

0:23:010:23:04

-It's come together superbly.

0:23:050:23:07

-I'm certain it will be a feast

-for the audience.

0:23:100:23:13

-Completely certain.

0:23:130:23:15

-It's great to see years of planning

-coming to fruition.

0:23:150:23:19

-It is so relevant to today.

0:23:190:23:23

-There's excitement now, not panic!

0:23:240:23:26

-There we are,

-the next step is the concert.

0:23:260:23:29

-We'll then have the opportunity

-to ask the crucial question...

0:23:310:23:36

-..A Oes Heddwch?

0:23:360:23:37

-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

0:23:530:23:55

-.

0:23:550:23:55

Download Subtitles

SRT

ASS