Following an excellent reception for his new work, 'Not the Stillness . . .' for piano, violin, clarinet and cello at both Musicfest Aberystwyth and The Vale of Glamorgan Festival, JOHN METCALF has been commissioned to arrange the work for Chamber Orchestra and Electric Harp. The Orchestra of Welsh National Opera together with renowned harpist Elinor Bennett are touring Wales with the work in early January. John's work 'Museum of the Air' for Soprano solo and Orchestra is due to be broadcast by BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Della Jones on BBC Radio 3, January 20th at 7.30 p.m. John has recently completed a new work for the European Union Chamber Orchestra. 'Dances from Forgotten Places' as the piece is called will be premiered at Brecon on February 27th with further performances at Abergavenny on March 2nd and Llanelli on March 4th. The opera 'Kafka's Chimp' (libretto by Mark Morris) is being performed in Sweden in March by the Piteå Chamber Opera Company. The performances are scheduled as follows: March 7 & 9, Christinasalen; March 13,14 Östersund, Storsjöteatern; March 17,18 Umeå, Norrlandsoperan; March 22 Härnösand, Stora Teatern. Please contact Curiad for further details.

The choral works of BRIAN HUGHES continue to be popular with choirs in Wales and beyond. As usual, much of his work was heard at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod last year. In fact, the three Welsh mixed choirs all sang works by Brian Hughes in their competition, with the Wrexham based Sirenian Singers winning the acclaimed Choir of the Year. Congratulations to them! The Welsh popular singer Trebor Edwards has recorded three Curiad works on his recently released CD. A Brian Hughes arrangement of Fair Lisa, the popular LAWRIE THOMPSON song, There is a Land, and the fine EMYR REES arrangement of the Welsh folk song My love's a Venus all appear on the album.

GARETH GLYN compositions are receiving great acclaim from singers and audiences alike. Many of his works were heard at this year's National Eisteddfod and Iona Stephen Williams won the coveted Blue Ribband award, the David Ellis memorial prize, performing one of Gareth's songs.

A December CD release on the Herald label by the accomplished National Youth Choir of Wales included the fine MERVYN BURTCH arrangements of 'Three Welsh Folk Songs' and the exciting BRIAN HUGHES work, 'Yr Aderyn' (The Sparrow). The songs of DILYS ELWYN- EDWARDS have received much publicity of late, due to the recent Charlotte Church recording. The much admired soprano Helen Field is presently recording a new CD which will also contain some Dilys Elwyn-Edwards songs.

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