Yr Alarch - The Swan (SAMUEL RHIAN)

Baritone voice

SKU: ST.Y258

Composed by Rhian Samuel. Vocal music. Range: G sharp - G sharp (plus falsetto C). Score. Stainer & Bell Ltd. #Y258. Published by Stainer & Bell Ltd. (ST.Y258).

ISBN 9790220222504.

Priz ed among Welsh speakers, the anonymous 14th-century poem Yr Alarch ('The Swan') is a striking verbal portrait of 'this being without blemish', conveyed in terms of memorable imagery which has inspired Rhian Samuel's short setting for unaccompanied baritone. A rarity in its being a true solo song, this stirring tone-picture is also a showpiece, part lyrical, part declamatory, with contemporary vocal techniques sensitively employed. It will be enjoyed by Welsh-speaking singers and audiences for its heightened atmosphere that conveys the magical presence of a creature ' bright-white above birds ... Heaven's cockerel, a shining crag.'.

Soprano voice

SKU: ST.Y341

Composed by Rhian Samuel. Vocal music. Score. Stainer & Bell Ltd. #Y341. Published by Stainer & Bell Ltd. (ST.Y341).

ISBN 9790220225208.

The anonymous 14th-century poem Yr Alarch ('The Swan') is a striking portrait of 'this being without blemish', conveyed in terms of memorable imagery which has inspired Rhian Samuel's short setting for unaccompanied voice, a true solo song and vocal showcase.

This solo soprano version was first performed by Elin Manahan Thomas at Powis Hall, Bangor University, on 3 March 2016, as part of the Bangor Music Festival.