by Gwydion Davies | 22 March, 2018
Dynamic Harps is a community based ensemble in Cardiff, Wales. The membership ranges from novice harpists to grade 8 level, with children through to post retirement performing together. This supportive and dedicated group of harp enthusiasts meet weekly to play a diverse range of musical genres; traditional, classical, pop, rock, show tunes, film music, Jazz and more. Songs are requested by the members and arranged by Shelley Fairplay, the director of the group. Some performance highlights have included Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay, National Botanic Garden of Wales and concerts at the Harpes au Max International Harp Festival, France. www.DynamicHarps.co.uk
by Gwydion Davies | 21 March, 2018
An icon of the harp today, Isabelle Moretti is feted across the world. During the 2017-2018 season, she has given the world premiere of ‘Danse Libre’, Bruno Mantovani’s Concerto for Harp, with the Chamber Orchestra of Paris. Appearances also include at the Moscow December Nights festival, at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and with the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne. Isabelle Moretti is Professor of Harp at the Paris Conservatoire (CNSMDP). She has been Visiting Professor at London’s Royal Academy of Music since 2008. She is is an Officer of the French National Order of Merit, and of the Order of Arts and Letters.
by Gwydion Davies | 21 March, 2018
Geraint Lewis was born in Cardiff in 1958 and read Music at St.John’s College, Cambridge where he was a pupil of the legendary George Guest. He worked for Bangor University and Nimbus Records, was Director of the North Wales International Music Festival and Chairman of the Arts Council of Wales Music Board. He wrote ‘Afallon’ for WNO to sing when The Queen opened the National Assembly for Wales in 1999 and the opera ‘Culhwch ac Olwen’ for the 2000 Cricieth Festival. He writes regularly for Gramophone magazine and in January was appointed Artistic Director of the Lower Machen Festival.
by Gwydion Davies | 21 March, 2018
ELINOR BENNETT studied with Osian Ellis at the Royal Academy of Music, London, after completing a degree in Law, and played with major British orchestras in her early career. Elinor has made many recordings, ranging from 20th Century classics to Welsh traditional music on Triple Harp. Leading composers have written for her, and she directed harp studies at Bangor University. She was awarded OBE for services to music and Honorary Fellowships from the Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Universities, Fellowships from Royal Academy of Music and Welsh College of Music and Drama, and an Honorary Doctorate in Music from the University of Wales. She has directed the Thai International Harp Festival, and the Wales International Harp Festival.
by Gwydion Davies | 21 March, 2018
Dylan is a freelance harpist, performer and teacher who lives in North Wales. He has given virtuoso performances in Ireland, France, Germany, Holland, Canada, Prague, China and Switzerland. Dylan has made guest appearances at the Thousand Voices Festival at the Royal Albert Hall, London and has performed with artists such as Bryn Terfel, Katherine Jenkins, John Owen Jones, Sioned Terry, Shân Cothi, Rhys Meirion, Rhydian Roberts and Rebecca Evans. Dylan has produced various albums, three are solo albums, four Piantel albums and three albums with Welsh harpist Gwenan Gibbard for Hong Kong based Sunrise Music. Apart from his own albums Dylan has appeared on a great number of other albums as an accompanist. Dylan is one half of “Piantel” who have been performing together for 13 years, and performs as a Cabaret Act “Two Blondes and a Harp”
