Not too late to celebrate the New Year with this beautiful recording, and one that I’m sure that I will be listening to throughout the year, whatever the season.
Sienco Records SIENCO4
Angharad Jenkins (voice, violins); Huw Warren (piano)
This is a truly beautiful recording and a perfect way to welcome in 2024. I say this as Calennig is the Welsh tradition of celebrating Christmas and for embracing the New Year ahead. Sadly, arriving too late for a pre-Christmas review, I have been welcoming in my New Year by listening time and again to this timeless music.
Timeless music indeed, as some of these traditional melodies and folk songs are centuries old, yet in the hands and voice of these two musicians the music burns brightly, and at times brings a quiet reflection that is much appreciated.
The longevity of these wonderful songs is down to the Welsh tradition and emphasis on the ancient Plygain carols. In the tradition of folk songs around the world, these were frequently sung a cappella or in three-part harmony.
Recorded in the beautiful setting of Cardiff University Concert Hall the music is perfectly captured with a pristine sound for piano, Angharad’s pure toned voice and her violins. As is their wont, the musicians know no stylistic boundaries, and coming as they do from different musical environments themselves, they simply play and let the music sweep them away as it does the listener.
As a Welshman myself, Cardiff is my hometown, I take no pride in acknowledging the fact that I do not speak the language and have resisted the urge to ‘Google’ the song titles or lyrics for English translations. There is simply no need. As with all great music, it speaks to the head and heart, and if not in the literal sense, the songs will speak to those prepared to listen.
With, broadly speaking Huw Warren’s credentials as a jazz musician and Angharad’s background in folk music (although both span broader musical horizons, as well) there is a seriousness combined with a light-heartedness that is endearing and breathes new life into the traditional music of their homeland.
The ten compositions featured on Calennig are divided between a couple of instrumental tracks and those that feature Angharad’s voice as well as some where she combines voice and bow. Jenkins’s violin is heard to fine effect on the introspective and plaintive opening to the title track, before the piano lifts both the music and the spirits with its playful melodies that beckons the violin to join the merriment.
Huw Warren’s delicate piano introduces ‘Roedd yn y Wlad Honno’ before the soft and gentle lilt of Angharad’s voice enters. The story unfolds at an unhurried pace, and piano and voice intertwine and react to the narrative beautifully together.
Over a simple piano ostinato that opens ‘Y Bore Ganwyd’ Angharad’s voice skips along with obvious joy. This in turn leads to a lovely piano interlude from Warren before the voice re-enters and is later joined by the violin in a truly uplifting piece of music.
While the album focusses on the traditional Welsh songs, there are two original pieces that are in keeping with the chosen repertoire in ‘Awn i Fethlem’ composed by Rhys Pritchard and Angharad’s ‘Dolig Aberrawe’ an elegant and lyrical piece for piano and voice.
Not too late to celebrate the New Year with this beautiful recording, and one that I’m sure that I will be listening to throughout the year, whatever the season.
