Located in the UK
Located in the USA
Located in Europe
- Paul Mealor
A Welsh Prayer (2013)
- Novello & Co Ltd (World)
A Welsh Prayer was commissioned by Holywell Music and the North Wales International Music Festival as a gift to celebrate the 65th birthday of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. The beautiful words, written especially for this anthem by Dr Grahame Davies - one of Wales's most outstanding poets - reflect the long life of service and dedication to the nation that the Prince has tirelessly undertaken throughout his life. The piece was premiered by the Aberdeen University Chamber Choir with harpists Hannah Stone and Catrin Finch, conducted by the composer on 22 September 2013 at St Asaph’s Cathedral as part of the North Wales International Music Festival.
- SATB chorus; 2hp
- 2222/2200/timp/hp/str
- 4 min 30 s
- Grahame Davies
Programme Note
My anthem is gentle and lyrical in character, always supporting the meaning of the
poem and never intrusive. The work begins with a lilting harp part coloured by harp
harmonics and a simple, rolling melody in the female voices (perhaps reflecting the
hills and seascape of North Wales). This is then taken up by the male voices as the
women sing a ‘song of praise’ to ‘Almighty God’ over the top. A dramatic solo harp
part then colours the second section of the piece before, through a dramatic cadenza,
leading us into the reprise of the main melody. This time the melody is transposed
upwards, heavenly, and triumphantly leads us to a peaceful, though focused,
conclusion.
It was a great honour being invited to compose this piece and I hope it is a fitting
tribute to His Royal Highness in this special year.
Paul Mealor
poem and never intrusive. The work begins with a lilting harp part coloured by harp
harmonics and a simple, rolling melody in the female voices (perhaps reflecting the
hills and seascape of North Wales). This is then taken up by the male voices as the
women sing a ‘song of praise’ to ‘Almighty God’ over the top. A dramatic solo harp
part then colours the second section of the piece before, through a dramatic cadenza,
leading us into the reprise of the main melody. This time the melody is transposed
upwards, heavenly, and triumphantly leads us to a peaceful, though focused,
conclusion.
It was a great honour being invited to compose this piece and I hope it is a fitting
tribute to His Royal Highness in this special year.
Paul Mealor