Cantata Memoria For the Children Karl Jenkins CANTATA MEMORIA For the Children

2 Karl Jenkins (*1944)

CANTATA MEMORIA Bryn Terfel bass- (2–7, 9–11) For the Children • Er mwyn y plant Elin Manahan Thomas soprano (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9–11) Libretto: Mererid Hopwood Cywair chorus master: Islwyn Evans, CF1 chorus master: Eilir Owen Griffiths 1 Pitran, patran 5:57 and Côr Caerdydd chorus master: Gwawr Owen (1–3, 5–11)

2 Then Silence 4:42 and the young voices of Côr Heol y March chorus master: Eleri Roberts 3 Cortège 8:20 and Côr y Cwm chorus master: Elin Llywelyn-Williams co-director: Gavin Ashcroft 4 Lament for the Valley 4:38

5 Lacrimosa Lullaby 5:02 harp (1–3, 5–11) David Childs euphonium (3–5, 7, 9–11) 6 Did I hear a bird? 4:18 Joo Yeon Sir violin (4–7, 10) 7 Satin Feathers 4:22 Jody Jenkins percussion 8 And-a-half 5:11 Rosie, Jody & Karl Jenkins recorders (6)

9 And once upon a time 3:42 Sinfonia Cymru leader: Benjamin Baker 10 When the shadow dies 4:05 Composed, conducted, orchestrated and produced by 11 Lux æterna 5:34 Karl Jenkins

3 CANTATA MEMORIA For the children · Er mwyn y plant

Cantata Memoria commemorates the Aberfan the journey was made easier and more reward- tragedy of 21 October 1966. It was on this day ing by my travelling companion, Mererid Hop- that 116 children and 28 adults perished when wood, the brilliant Welsh poet, academic and a coal spoil tip enveloped Pantglas Junior linguist who has written a remarkable libretto. School together with some houses in Aberfan, And while the work starts in Aberfan, alas we South . Aged 22, I was in my first term at must be mindful of how it might encompass the Royal Academy of Music, London, at the other heartbreaking tragedies involving chil- time. Inevitably, the disaster had a massive dren. Think of Dunblane (1996), the Beslan impact on me and millions of others. school siege (2004), the Korean ferry disaster Two years ago, I was approached by Ian and the Peshawar school massacre (both 2014) Jones, CEO of S4C (Sianel Pedwar Cymru – the – each one a disaster too many. We have all been at Pantglas School from time to time and also and Italian). It is hoped these many languages Welsh national broadcaster), and Hefin Owen children, and many of us are parents and grand- Myfanwy (by Joseph Parry from nearby Merthyr symbolise how the memorial is at once both of Rondo Media and offered a commission to parents, and my hope is that Cantata Memoria is Tydfil) on one occasion by the soldiers who dug specific and universal. compose a work commemorating the 50th symbolic, concerning childhood and the cher- for victims. Myfanwy was also the first piece sung The work is in two distinct sections but is anniversary of the tragedy. Feeling privileged, ishing of the precious young as well as offering by the Ynysowen Male Choir, formed after the performed continuously. The first (c20 min- humbled and honoured to have been chosen, I a memorial in music for the disaster in Wales. tragedy with the intention of raising money for utes) deals with the tragedy and the immediate immediately accepted, whilst also being mind- As Mererid says, “we sincerely hope the work charity while providing a social activity for the aftermath, and the second (c35 minutes) moves ful of the responsibility the commission carried speaks from two hearts to many hearts”. local men. It was said also that birdsong was not from darkness to light, reliving memories and in writing something with integrity and acces- This work is music and a poem. It is not a heard in the hours before or after the disaster. celebrating childhood, ending with the Requi- sibility that would connect and move everyone documentary, nor even a dramatisation, but it The text is multilingual, in English, Welsh em’s Lux æterna (everlasting light). – the bereaved who are still with us, those who does include a conflation of ideas and facts that and Latin (with four texts taken from the Requi- Cantata (from the Italian cantare, meaning “to remember and those who come to this catastro- were relevant and are by now part of the legacy. em Mass), while also incorporating various sing”) has come to mean a work for soloist(s), phe anew. Paradoxically, dealing with a subject There wasn’t just the one cortège, for example. other languages for specific words (for example, choir and orchestra, and memoria is both Latin that lies so deep in the soul of the Welsh was Some events remain open to debate but we do “why” and “light” are sung in Welsh, English, and Italian for memory or remembrance. both a harrowing and uplifting experience, but know that All Things Bright and Beautiful was sung Swedish, Latin, Spanish, German, French, Dutch

4 Synopsis

It was raining on 21 October 1966 as the school throughout the work) precedes the return of text of the Benedictus from the Latin mourning … grant them eternal rest’) works as day began (raindrops simulated in the orches- the pitran, patran text with the “pa” of patran Mass: “Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domi- a counterpoint to the words of the main song: tration by harp, percussion, then pizzicato morphing into the “pa” of paham (Welsh for ni” (Blessed is he who comes in the name of “Lacrimosa dies illa, Lacrimosa sky, Lacrimosa strings etc). The first section opens as the “why”). The a cappella singing of an adaptation the Lord). The movement ends with the crystal kisses, Lacrimosa lullaby… Lacrimosa adult choir sings: of J S Bach’s chorale It is Enough is then heard, denunciation by a bereaved father at one of silent feathers, Lacrimosa fly, Lacrimosa hush with the word “why?” sung in many languag- the inquests, “buried alive by the National my baby, Lacrimosa lullaby”. It was said that no (1) Pitran, patran (onomatopoeic Welsh for es. In this chorale (oft-quoted by composers, Coal Board” (which was, eventually, found birdsong was heard before or after the disas- rain). This moves into All Things Bright and including Alban Berg in his Violin Concerto) culpable). This phrase echoes the rhythm of ter, and this idea and symbolism of a bird is Beautiful sung by the children. A poignant line we hear every note in the chromatic scale, in the Welsh we hear in the distance: “bwrw heard in the next two movements. in the hymn has sinister ambiguity in our con- part chosen here to represent all humanity. glaw mân ac mae’r dagrau yn disgyn” (as the text as the “rivers running by” alludes beyond This continues, without pause, into: rain falls so too do the tears). To close the first (6) “Did I hear a bird?… Did I hear the flutter of the innocent song to the hidden river running section there follows: wings, Like the sound of apron strings Unrav- underneath the village that contributed to (3) Cortège. This begins with a short extract elling? What have I heard? Just a little bird the disaster. A recurring rumble, twrw (pro- from the Welsh song Myfanwy by Joseph Par- (4) Lament for the Valley for solo violin and That keeps on falling, falling, from an empty nounced “too-roo”), is hinted at in the orches- ry, which again begins with the word paham strings, with the voices intoning the text of thunder-cloud, sounding of loss – a loss so tration, gradually morphing the mood from (why) but initially with darker harmonies the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) as a background loud.” This poignant questioning leads to: beauty and optimism into horror and dark- than usual. It has become part of the Aberfan to the violin solo. ness. The cataclysmic ending is followed by story that Myfanwy was sung by rescuers as (7) Satin Feathers, a reworking of the tradition- an unbearable pause of eeriness and disbelief they dug for victims. Here it is taken by a solo The second section deals with remembrances al Welsh folksong Aderyn Du, in which we hear before: baritone, joined by male voices and then a of happier times, a celebration of childhood an exhortation to the bird to “Bring the music haunting euphonium, both redolent of the and a metamorphosis towards “light” from to my valley… Bring the joy and bring the (2) Then Silence, where the solo baritone Welsh Valleys’ musical tradition. The last the “darkness inside”. This transition is also laughter, Bring them back to stay forever”. We intones: “Nothing. In that black silence Not a refrain of the song becomes the motif, in the reflected in the music that becomes lighter are then suddenly back at school with: sound”. A distant surreal refrain (as though minor key, for the cortège itself. With much and begins with: sung by the lost children) of the well-known anguish, the names of all the victims are (8) And-a-half, which opens with typical Welsh children’s nursery rhyme Heno, heno, intoned (the children by the adult choir, and (5) Lacrimosa Lullaby, where the Latin mass school-yard banter: “I’m bigger than you – I’m Hen blant bach (which returns as a motif the adults by the children) in tandem with the text from the Dies iræ (‘That day of tears and seven years old”, “That’s nothing – I’m seven

5 and a half!” “I’m stronger than you – I’m eight We close with: years old”, “That’s nothing – I’m eight and a half!” “If you’re so pretty, give Johnny a kiss.” (11) Lux æterna (everlasting light), which “But Johnny is ugly. For shame! I’ll tell Miss!”… begins with a musical quotation from my before the characters of the parents take over own before the word “light” (as, pre- with memories of their own childhood. The viously, “why”) is sung in various languages. recollections continue in: This moves into the children singing a school assembly hymn If I Were a Beautiful Twinkling (9) “And once upon a time … When time was for- Star (reminiscent of All Things Bright and Beau- ever and tomorrow never, In that once upon a tiful) before continuing with “light” in Latin, time that was yours and mine…”. Here the English and Welsh. The orchestra concludes Joo Yeon Sir Karl Jenkins conducting Sinfonia Cymru adults cherish each moment of each child’s the piece not in pomp and ceremony but life, before stopping to ponder what happens: rather with a glistening orchestration of celesta, glockenspiel and various bells to (10) When the shadow dies. From dark despair depict “light”, the word which, quietly spoken this song reflects on questions that have no by the children and sung by the soprano, answers: “How should we weep when the brings the piece to a close. shadow dies?” In this searching it is the chil- dren themselves who offer the way forward Karl Jenkins, May 2016 towards the light: “but if to be alive is to belong Then we must Keep Still this song… Elin Manahan Thomas Bryn Terfel Sing it, for our children loved light”.

David Childs Catrin Finch During recording sessions

6 Cywair CF1 Côr Caerdydd Côr Heol y Côr y Cwm Musical Director: Musical Director: Musical Director: March Musical Directors: Islwyn Evans Eilir Owen Griffiths Gwawr Owen Musical Director: Elin Llywelyn-WilliamsLlywelyn- Eleri Roberts &Williams Gavin Ashcroft & Angharad James Angela Owen-Griffiths Aeres Scourfield Heulwen Jones Gavin Ashcroft Beca Davies Ana Cantero Simms Aled Wyn Thomas Huw Herbert Ana Jones Alys Hall Lowri Davies Catrin Reynolds Arwel Wyn Roberts Anest Allaway Iwan Owen Anni Davies Amelia Taylor Lowri Harris Dafydd Rees Becky Kemp-Davies Alun Thomas Judith Poulson Cadi Gwen Sandall Ava Burge Lowri James Dion Davies Carwyn Wycherley Anna Maclean Julie Wilcox Caitlin Morris Brooke Llewellyn Lowri Miller Dion Edwards Carys Angharad Davies Anne Hughes Lisa Morgan Carwyn Hastings Bronwyn Williams Lowri Williams Elan Richards Cathryn Evans Anwen Evans Marged Cartwright Casi Chapman Catrin Carter Maisee Furr Elen Evans Catrin Lewis Andrew Bartholomew Nerys Williams Catrin Lawton Celyn Rees Megan Hanney Elin Mair Eifiona Williams Bethan Herbert Peredur Evans Cesia Rhys Lewis Darcy Williams Mia Cradle Elis Griffiths Eilir Owen Griffiths Carol Davies Jones Pru Davis-James Elan Booth Eleri Kinsey Morganne Iles Ellen Evans Elen Hughes Caroline Rees Rhian Griffith Efa Cray Ellie Brown Ruby Cradle Fflur Rowlands Emyr John Carys Pithouse Rhian James Elen Owen Ellie Jones-Parfitt Savannah Morris Geraint Pugh George Morris Carys Williams Rhian Jones Elen Gruffydd Elys Brie Bevan Seren Farrup Gwenith Evans Gethin Bickerton Catrin Evans Rhys Griffith Gwen Roberts Ffion Bevan Seren Lawthom Heulyn Jones Gwawr James Catrin Herbert Richard Wilcox Gwennan Thomas Grace Taylor Seren Wenham Iwan Griffiths Gwenno Rowlands Ceri Davies Ruth Davies Huw Jones Holly Frost Sioned Port Lowri Evans Gwyn Loader Ceri Mears Sali Hopkins Jessica Porter Isabella Burge Tia Browning Mandy Jones Hannah John Cynthia Claydon Sarah Watson Lowri Owen Isabelle Dyer Zara Rundle Melisa Ffoulkes Ifan Erwyn Pleming Delyth Evans Siân Golden Lowri Thomas Kira Davies Naomi Morris Jennifer M Johnson Dianne Bartholomew Sioned Wyn Manon Hammond Liam Norton Nerys Defis Laura Beth Davies Eilir Jones Sonia Oliver Megan Hastings Osian Rowlands Leah Owen-Griffiths Eilir Pryse Steffan Rhys Hughes Morgan Dryburgh Pete Leggett Llio Rhys Elin Cadifor Tania Wilson-Price Nathanael Stinton Rhiannon Ashley Lois Dauncey Roberts Elliw Mair Tim Sewell Nel Rhys Lewis Rhys Davies Lowri Daniel Emma Watt Tudur Jones Rhodri Lawton Rhys Jones Meilyr Hedd Emyr Kirkman Viv Francis Sara Jones Sara Sambrook Mirain Rhys Eynon Williams Wyn Jones Seren Morris Siwan Thomas Nia Wilson Gaenor Jones Wyn Mears Seren Russell Osian Llewelyn Edwards Gareth Huw Jones Soffia Easterby Peredur Owen Griffiths Geraint Rees Twm Aled Rhiannon Pritchard Geraint Jones Richard Vaughan Gwenllian Wyn Sara Mai Williams Helen Sewell Steffan John

7 1 Pitran, patran 2 Then Silence – Tawelwch fu Baritone solo Where is the smile that once so tender Chorus Baritone solo Nothing, not a sound. Kindled my love so fond, so true? In that black silence Pitran, patran, (onomatopoetic Welsh for raindrops) Nothing. Chorus Titrwm, tatrwm, (onomatopoetic rumble) Dim. Nothing, not a sound. Darkness inside and the dark keeps on growing. Rho im dy law, Myfanwy dirion Dagrau agos, dagrau glaw, Nothing. I ddim ond dweud y gair “Ffarwel”. Near tears, tears of rain, In that black silence Baritone solo & chorus Pitran, patran, Not a sound. Give me your hand, my sweet Myfanwy, Paham? Titrwm, tatrwm, But one last time, to say “farewell”. Why? Cysgu blantos bore ddaw. Chorus Chorus (child victims) Chorus Hush, little children, morning will come again. Dim, dim etc Antony John Sullivan, John Islwyn Jones, Lord, why, oh why? Richard Phillip Goldsworthy, Royston Barrett, Young voices Baritone solo Perché, perché, perché? (Italian: “Why?”) Timothy Grey, Paul Jones, Anthony David Hill, Nothing, not a sound etc All things bright and beautiful, Pour quelle raison? (French: “Why?”) Clive and Philip Mumford, Marilyn Carol Howells, All creatures great and small, Warum, mein Gott? (German: “Why, O my Lord?”) Young voices sing the hwiangerdd (Lullaby) Megan Robbins, Robert Breeze, Janette Lynne Brown, All things wise and wonderful: Quare Domine mi? (Latin: “Why, O my Lord?”) Jean Launchbury, Julie Jeannine Regan, Suzanne Heno, heno, The Lord God made them all. ¿Por qué, mi Señor? (Spanish: “Why, O my Lord?”) Meredith, Julie Pryce. Hen blant bach, Oh why, oh why? The purple-headed mountain, Gwely, gwely, Waroom?(Dutch: “Why?”) SATB (simultaneously): The river running by, Hen blant bach. Varför?(Swedish: “Why?”) The sunset and the morning Soprano Dime, dime, dime, It is enough. That brightens up the sky. David Davies, Jeffrey Derek Needs, Christine George, Hen blant bach, Paham? Paham?(Welsh: “Why?”) Susan Jones, Yvonne Drage, Christine Prosser, The tall trees in the greenwood, Dime, dime, dime, Gillian Irene Jones, Terrence Davies, Stephen The meadows where we play, Hen blant bach. 3 Cortège Vaughan and Angela Vaughan Hopkins. The rushes by the water, Baritone solo Tonight, To gather every day. Little children, Paham mae dicter, O Myfanwy, Alto Yn llenwi’th lygaid duon di? Chorus Bed, Robert Garfield Jones, Robert and Barbara Minney, Little children, A’th ruddiau tirion, O Myfanwy, Royston Carl Davies, David Trevor Davies, Peter Titrwm, tatrwm etc Halfpenny, Heb wrido wrth fy ngweled i? Williams, Eryl Mai Jones, June Margaret Williams, Twrw, twrw, twrw, bwrw etc Little children. Pa le mae’r wên oedd ar dy wefus Pamela Heaman, Victoria Symonds. Bore bwrw, bore bach etc Halfpenny, Fu’n cynnau ’nghariad ffyddlon ffôl? Tenor (bwrw: hitting, throwing. “it’s raining” in Welsh is literally Little children. Why is it anger, O Myfanwy, Wayne England, Valmai Mary Owen, Cheryl “it’s hitting/throwing rain”) Chorus That fills your eyes so dark and clear? Mortimer, Norma Mumford, Martine Anne Short, bore bach: first light (literally “little morning”) Your gentle cheeks, O sweet Myfanwy, Pitran, patran etc Michael Jones, Annette Smith, Karen O’Brien, Soprano solo Why blush they not when I draw near? Jacqueline Powell, Dennis Arscott, Sandra Donovan. Bach, bach.

8 Aerial view of Aberfan Bass Malcolm Andrew, Necia James, Jill and Vincent in Wales showing Carol Williams, Daphne Fudge, Brian Davies, Parfitt, William Michael and Sheila Fitzpatrick. the devastation caused Linda Hodkinson, Howell Lloyd and Gareth Bass after the coal mountain Victor Evans, Keith Williams, Kevin Thomas Catherine Elizabeth Evans, Avis Elizabeth collapsed onto the village Jones, Michael Collins, Robert Coffey. Sullivan, Gillian and Brian Michael Gough, on 21 October 1966 Young voices Randolph Tudor, Robert Orville Jones, Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Lynn Harding, Merrill Barnard, Hosanna in excelsis. Ian Dougall, Angela Williams, Arthur O’Brien, Corwyn Thomas and Leighton Kerrie Reakes, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Dyfrig Hayes. Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Chorus SATB (simultaneously:) Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Soprano Hosanna in excelsis. Andrew Rees, Raymond John and Peter Collins, Susan Crotty, Annette Hughes, Sharon Lewis, Young voices (simultaneously: adult victims) Anthony Joseph Watkins, David William Young voices 1 Williams, Ann Catherine Lee, Lynda and Carol Richard Jones, Lewis and Glenys Gabriel Jones, Anderson, Sandra Leyshon, Marylyn and Carl Patricia Margaret Evans, Gwyneth Collins, Minett. Graham Edward and Sidney Russell, William Henry Rees, Frederick Richard Hansen, Alto Susannah Probert, Marjorie Christine Evans. Desmond Carpenter, Edwin Davies Evans, John Anthony King, Jennifer Haines, Young voices 2 Jean Winifred and Maureen Mary Evans, Evan George and Margaret Jane Carston, Kay Bowns, Carol Ann Carpenter, Royston John Morgan Edwards, Brian Elvet Harris, Hodkinson, Pat and Tommy Probert, Graham Nansi Williams, Cassie Jones, Tydfil Jane Taylor, Williams, Paul David Roberts, Janet Jones, Myrtle Irene and William Charles Thomas, Sylvia Richards, Paul Davies. Evelyn Mary Jones, Lucy May and Albert Gerald Mytton, David Beynon, Marjorie Ann Rees. Tenor Joseph Wilkshire, Roger Summers, David Young voices 3 Gareth Davies, Howard David Prosser, Margretta Bates, Michael Davies, Ann Jennings. Dwynwen Griffiths, Betty Edwina Bartlett, Lorraine Isobel Richards, Kelvin David and

9 Chorus Judicandus homo reus: Baritone solo & chorus Bed, Benedictus. Huic ergo parce, Deus. dona eis requiem. Little children, Halfpenny, Buried alive by the National Coal Board. That day of tears and mourning, Baritone solo & young voices Little children. Bwrw glaw mân ac mae’r dagrau yn disgyn. when from the ashes shall arise Halfpenny, As the rain falls so too do the tears. all humanity to be judged, Lacrimosa lullaby. Little children. spare us by your mercy, Lord. Baritone solo 6 Did I hear a bird? Young voices, baritone & soprano soli Bwrw glaw mân ac mae’r dagrau yn disgyn. Baritone solo Soprano solo & young voices Can you hear a bird? Buried alive by the National Coal Board. Pie Jesu Domine, Did I hear a bird? Just a word? Gentle Lord Jesus, Not a word. 4 Lament for the Valley – Marwnad y Cwm Can you hear a song?’ Baritone solo & young voices Did I hear a song? ’Twas long ago, Agnus Dei dona eis requiem. Perhaps long ago. But I don’t think so. Young voices, soprano & baritone soli, chorus grant them eternal rest. (But I don’t think so.) Can you hear the flutter of wings, Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere Did I hear the flutter of wings, All voices Like the sound of apron strings? nobis, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem. Like the sound of apron strings Lacrimosa lullaby. Hear a beating, beating wing? Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the Unravelling? What have I heard? Beating my heart, world, have mercy on us, who takes away the Baritone solo Just a little bird sins of the world, grant us peace. Just a little bird Lacrimosa silver arrows, That keeps on calling, calling, Lacrimosa cry, 5 Lacrimosa Lullaby – Lacrimosa ’Maban Glân Baritone solo Calling softly from the crowd, Lacrimosa hurt my heartbeat, That keeps on falling, falling That keeps on calling, calling, Baritone solo Lacrimosa lullaby. From an empty thunder-cloud, Calling for light, Lacrimosa dies illa, Lacrimosa silent feathers, Sounding of loss – A light so loud. That day of tears and mourning Lacrimosa fly, a loss so loud. Lacrimosa sky, 7 Satin Feathers – Aderyn Du Lacrimosa hush my baby, Lacrimosa crystal kisses, Chorus Lacrimosa lullaby. Soprano solo Lacrimosa lullaby. Heno, heno, Little bird with satin feathers, Lacrimosa secret rivers, Chorus Hen blant bach, Take my tears across the waters, Lacrimosa sigh, Lacrimosa dies illa, Gwely, gwely, Take my prayer and take my sorrow, Lacrimosa raindrops quiver, Qua resurget ex favilla Hen blant bach, Take my heart until tomorrow. Lacrimosa lullaby. Judicandus homo reus: Dime, dime, Huic ergo parce, Deus. Hen blant bach, Baritone solo Young voices Dime dime, Then bring the spring and bring the summer, Lacrimosa dies illa, Young voices Hen blant bach. Bring the stars a little closer, Qua resurget ex favilla Pie Jesu Domine, Tonight, Bring the sun and make it golden, Little children, Bring the daisies to my garden.

10 Soprano & baritone solo He can’t today, he’s got a bad… bone. Baritone solo 10 When the shadow dies Bring the music to my valley, If you’re so pretty, give Johnny a kiss. Ac amser maith yn ôl, Soprano & baritone soli Bring it back again, and hurry, But Johnny is ugly. For shame, I’ll tell Miss! Ti yn fy nghôl, How should we weep when the shadow dies, Bring the joy and bring the laughter, Cyn dyfod y glaw, Fading, slipping till the sun lies If you’re so clever, what’s three hundred million Bring them back to stay forever. Cyn gollwng dy law, Asleep? divided by nine over two? A chyn yr eiliad heb ddim golau, One, two, three things, I can’t imagine A chyn y diwedd i bob dechrau, Should we now leave, That my bird with wings of satin That’s easy peasy lemon squeezy… Amser maith yn ôl, For the stars shed no light? Takes the night, the moon, the shadow, but I’m not telling you! And brings my children home tomorrow. Chorus Or shall we mourn by the shallow moon Chorus That has no dawn, Amser maith yn ôl, d’amser di a mi. Young voices & chorus And somewhere between the years-and-a-half, No day, say, Bring the music to my valley, When the sky would skip and the sun would laugh, And once upon a time, Shall we stay? Bring it back again, and hurry, When the yard was the sea and the wall was the land, When time was together, And still, Bring the joy and bring the laughter, When the whole wide world could fit in a hand, When the worlds were nearer Shall we grieve by the shallow grave Bring them back to stay forever. We sang, we played, we sought, we found, And the skies were clearer, Of a flown-away life like a fallen leaf, We teased, we joked, we gathered around, Once upon a time, And if so, how? All voices We wrote, we read, we built, we drew, When time was forever and tomorrow never, Forever. Before the years-and-a-half all flew In that once upon a time that was yours and And when winter blows, Away. mine. Might we rest by the empty tree? And-a-half – Blwyddyn-a-mis 8 Shall we try? Should I? And once upon a time – Unwaith amser maith yn ôl (the above repeated in Welsh:) Young voices 9 Nobody knows. I’m bigger than you – I’m seven years old. Soprano solo Chorus & young voices But if to be alive is to belong That’s nothing – I’m seven and a half! And once upon a time, Amser maith yn ôl, Then we must When time was mine, I’m stronger than you – I’m eight years old. Dyddiau dau yn dynnach, Keep Before you and I That’s nothing – I’m eight and a half! Pob dim yn agosach, Still Knew how to fly, Aer uwchben yn lasach, This song. I’m prettier than you – I’m nine years old. Before the minute without meaning, Amser maith yn ôl, That’s nothing – I’m nine and a half! Before the end of each beginning, Dyddiau dau’n fyth bythoedd ac yfory’n Chorus, young voices & Once upon a time, soprano & baritone soli I’m cleverer than you – I’m ten and a quarter. oesoedd, That’s nothing – I’m ten and a half! Chorus Yn ein hamser maith yn ôl, d’amser di a mi. Sing it until the end of the night, Sing it, sing it, for our children loved light. If you’re so big, tell Billy he’s slow. Once upon a time that was yours and mine. Soprano & baritone soli, chorus I can’t today, I’ve got a bad toe. (the above repeated in Welsh:) Yours and mine. Soprano & baritone soli My child loved light. If you’re so strong, go on lift this stone! I can’t today, I’ve got a bad… bone.

11 11 Lux æterna Let everlasting light shine upon them, THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY Young voices, then soprano & baritone soli, O Lord, with your saints for ever, then chorus for you are merciful. Lux æterna luceat eis, Domine: Chorus cum sanctis tuis in æternum, quia pius es. Sêr y Goleuni, Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, Seren dân, et lux perpetua luceat eis, quia pius es. Goleuni, Let everlasting light shine upon them, Seren gân. O Lord, with your saints for ever, Star of light, for you are merciful. Star of fire, Eternal rest grant them, O Lord, Light, and let perpetual light shine upon them, Star of song. for you are merciful. Young voices Young voices & soprano & baritone soli Lux æterna luceat eis, Domine: Lux. (Latin) Light. (English) Soprano & baritone soli Luce. (Italian) cum sanctis tuis in æternum, quia pius es. The Aberfan Memorial Charity has, as its main purpose, the main- Licht. (German) Lijus. (Swedish) with your saints for ever, tenance and repair of the Memorial Garden and the Aberfan Cem- Goleuni. (Welsh) for you are merciful. etery Memorial, particularly the graves of the victims of the Aber- Young voices & chorus sopranos & altos fan Disaster. The Trustees maintain the sites (and the graves of Young voices Lux. (Latin) victims located elsewhere) to the highest affordable order; worthy If I were a beautiful twinkling star Light. (English) I’d shine on the darkest night, of the memory of those who died and those who provided for and Luce. (Italian) I’d seek where the dreariest pathways are built the sites after the Disaster. They aim to enable all visitors, Licht. (German) And light them with all my might. including the bereaved, to be content with the care and attention Lijus. (Swedish) Though sun and moon I cannot be Goleuni. (Welsh) of these sensitive, internationally important memorial sites for the To make the whole world bright, community, the people of Wales, the United Kingdom and beyond. I’d find some little cheerless spot Soprano solo & young voices The Trustees wish sincerely to thank Sir Karl Jenkins and all those Light. And shine with all my might. involved in the production of this recording. It is a significant tribute Young voices, chorus altos to the people of Aberfan and in particular to the 116 children and 28 Lux æterna luceat eis, Domine: adults who died on 21 October 1966. cum sanctis tuis in æternum, quia pius es.

12 Cantata Memoria features a stellar cast of Welsh Owen Griffiths), Côr Caerdydd (chorus master: Executive Producer: Christian Badzura () soloists and ensembles: bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, Gwawr Owen) and the young voices of Côr Heol y Project Managers: Burkhard Bartsch, Meike Lieser (Deutsche Grammophon) one of the world’s great voices, who needs no March (chorus master: Eleri Roberts) and Côr y Publishers: Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd introduction; the wonderful soprano Elin Manahan Cwm (chorus masters: Elin Llywelyn-Williams; Libretto 2016 by Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd Thomas; former Royal Harpist Catrin Finch, co-director: Gavin Ashcroft). Original music and libretto commissioned by S4C generally acknowledged to be the finest harpist of Côr Heol y March appear by courtesy of Sain 2016 Karl Jenkins, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin her generation, for whom Sir Karl composed a Records. Artwork 2016 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin concerto at the behest of Prince Charles. Similarly The choral recording took place at Acapela Studio, Booklet Editor: Eva Zöllner the premier euphonium virtuoso David Childs, Pentyrch, on 23 and 24 April 2016 with adult choirs Cover Photo Mark Owen / Trevillion Images winner in 2000 of BBC Young Musician brass directed by Islwyn Evans and the young voices by Photo Karl Jenkins Rhys Frampton category. The recorders on ‘Did I hear a bird?’ were Eleri Roberts. The sessions were engineered by Photo Joo Yeon Sir The Arts Club played by the Jenkins family (Rosie, Jody and Karl)! Steve Price, assisted by Jeremy Murphy. Photo p. 9 Picture Press / Camera Press / Terence Spencer Percussion by Jody Jenkins. Photo Aberfan Memorial Charity David J Davies The album was mixed at mustache by Steve Price All the above were recorded at mustache studio, All other photos Rondo media and mastered by Andrew Walter at Abbey Road London, during March and April 2016, engineered Design: Mareike Walter Studios. and edited by Jody Jenkins. www.karljenkins.com Produced by Karl Jenkins Young Korean-born British violinist Joo Yeon Sir, follow Karl Jenkins on facebook: was the winner of the inaugural The Arts Club – Associate producers on orchestral sessions: https://en.gb.facebook.com/KarlJenkinsMusic Sir Karl Jenkins Music Award, established in 2014 Carol Barratt and Jeremy Allen www.deutschegrammophon.com to help outstanding young performers. This album Associate producer on choral sessions: Carol Barratt represents her debut recording. Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd (BHMP Ltd) has endeavoured to contact the copyright owners and obtain permission for the texts and melodies quoted in this work. Joo Yeon Sir was recorded at Abbey Road Studios, Where any contact details have been missed or overlooked, BHMP Ltd, on being London, on 18 April 2016, as was Sinfonia Cymru A special thank you to: Hefin Owen of Rondo Media informed, will endeavour to correct this situation. (leader: Benjamin Baker), an orchestra of young who has been central to, and guided, the whole Aberfan players entering the upper echelons of the commemorative project, to Ian Jones, CEO of Welsh profession. language broadcaster S4C, who commissioned the work, The Abbey Road sessions were conducted by Sir and finally, my deepest gratitude to Mererid Hopwood for Karl and engineered by Steve Price, assisted by her inspiring libretto. Lewis and Matt Jones. A sincere and humble acknowledgment to the Trustees of Cantata Memoria was sung by three adult choirs and The Aberfan Memorial Charity in giving their blessing two children’s choirs combined: Cywair (chorus to the creation of Cantata Memoria. master: Islwyn Evans), CF1 (chorus master: Eilir Karl Jenkins

13 Karl Jenkins and Mererid Hopwood at Aberfan Cemetery 2016

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