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Enigma Variations

Jac van Steen and the ´óÏó´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales perform Elgar's Enigma Variations, Grace Williams's Sea Sketches, and are joined by Catrin Finch for Mathias's Harp Concerto.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales are joined once more by much-loved conductor Jac van Steen for a stunning British programme that begins in Wales before culminating in Edward Elgar's celebrated Enigma Variations. The programme opens with a work that is a firm favourite of the Orchestra, Sea Sketches by Grace Williams; an evocation of the sea in all its incarnations, by a composer who was living in London but yearning for the Glamorgan coast she was soon to move back to. The orchestra will then be joined by super-star harpist, Catrin Finch, to play the Harp Concerto of Williams Mathias. Written for Osian Ellis, the concerto is masterfully scored to enable the harp to be heard, and is inspired by the Welsh Landscape of poet R S Thomas. Finally, after the interval, comes one of the most enduring pieces of English music — Elgar's tribute to his friends, alongside his very particular enigma, in his Variations on an Original Theme.

Presented by Verity Sharp, live from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Hoddinott in Cardiff.

G Williams: Sea Sketches
Mathias: Harp Concerto, Op 50
Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme, Op 36

Catrin Finch (harp)
´óÏó´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales
Jac van Steen (conductor)

2 hours, 14 minutes

Music Played

  • Grace Williams

    Sea Sketches

    Orchestra: ´óÏó´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Jac van Steen.
  • William Mathias

    Concerto for Harp

    Performer: Catrin Finch. Orchestra: ´óÏó´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Jac van Steen.
  • William Mathias

    Sun Dance (Santa Fe Suite)

    Performer: Catrin Finch.
  • Gareth Glyn

    Hymn To The Virgin

    Performer: Catrin Finch. Singer: Elin Manahan Thomas.
    • Taliesin's Songbook.
    • Ty Cerdd.
    • 16.
  • Grace Williams

    Y Gwydd (The Loom)

    Performer: Andrew Matthews-Owen. Singer: Elin Manahan Thomas.
    • Taliesin's Songbook.
    • Ty Cerdd.
    • 17.
  • William Mathias

    Melos, Op 73

    Orchestra: ´óÏó´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Jonathan Bloxham.
  • Edward Elgar

    'Enigma' Variations

    Orchestra: ´óÏó´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Jac van Steen.
  • Augustin Savard

    Morceau de concours

    Performer: Simon Höfele. Performer: Elisabeth Brauss.
  • Maurice Ravel

    Piano Trio (1st mvt)

    Ensemble: Mithras Trio.

Broadcast

  • Thu 11 Apr 2024 19:30