1stAngel & Friends

All those interested in literature and the arts are invited to attend the Conference, presented with the assistance of Yr Academi Gymreig - The Welsh Academy. The Conference costs £25 and further information is available from Bethan Brown, College of Arts & Humanities Administrator, Bangor University (01248) 383673 e mail b.w.brown@bangor.ac.uk

“At the heart of the Conference lies the question: ‘What is the relationship between Welsh poetry and other art forms?’ In order to have an interdisciplinary debate, we have invited poets, artists and composers to discuss the topic from the perspective of their own discipline; discussing their work and their reaction to other people’s work,” explained Professor Gerwyn Wiliams, Head of the University’s School of Welsh.

Professor Gerwyn Wiliams takes part in the discussion himself, considering examples of poetry that react creatively to other Works of art, such as an ode by Sir Thomas Parry which responds to a sculpture by Jacob Epstein and an ode by Jâms Nicholas reacting to Henry Moore’s sculptures.

Two recent Eisteddfod Crowned Bards, Dr Christine James and Dr Jason Walford Davies, will discuss specific examples of their own work inspired by individual works of art. Christine James won the crown at the Eryri National Eisteddfod in 2005 with a series of poems responding to a number of pieces of visual art.

Composer Dr Guto Pryderi Puw, of Bangor’s School of Music will discuss the way in which he has responded to poets as varied as R.S.Thomas and Llion Jones in some of his compositions. The artist, Wil Rowlands, will discuss how he approached reacting to poems by R.S. Thomas and literary works by other authors in some of his paintings.

Guto Puw, Lecturer in Composition at Bangor University’s School of Music and BBC NOW resident composer, has won the prestigious BBC British Composer Award 2007.

Radio 3 listeners voted Guto’s Oboe Concerto for the Radio Three Listeners’ Award from among 12 new compositions by some of the UK’s leading composers. The Award was announced in a ceremony hosted by the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters and are sponsored by the Performing Right Society (PRS). The winning works were revealed by Radio 3 presenters Sara Mohr-Pietsch and Andrew McGregor. The Awards was presented by composer Errollyn Wallen MBE, winner of the BBC Radio 3 Listeners Award in 2005.

Said Guto: “It is such an honour to receive this award from the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, and what a pleasant surprise! I accept it on behalf of many individuals and various institutions that have supported me over the years. First of all, much of the credit should go to David Cowley for the collaboration during the compositional process, and later for his unique interpretation during the premiere. Secondly, I am in debt to the BBC NOW for their continued support, and for making all collaborations so enjoyable. And finally, I wish to thank all the Radio 3 listeners who cast their votes, may they continue to listen!”

Professor Thomas Schmidt-Beste, Head of Bangor’s School of Music said: “To have Guto’s work nominated in the company of some of the greatest composers of our time - like Brian Ferneyhough and Michael Nyman - is further evidence of his rising stature in the realm of contemporary composition. The School feels privileged to have the foremost Welsh composer of the younger generation on its staff.”

Guto Puw’s appointment with BBC National Orchestra of Wales is for a three year period running until the end of 2008. During this time he will write three works, two of which are being commissioned by BBC Radio 3 on behalf of the Orchestra.