Cerdd Ystwyth Music Cerdd Dant

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An Introduction to Cerdd Dant "Cerdd Dant" literally means "the music of string", the "string" refering to the national instrument of Wales, the harp. This traditional form of singing derives from the way Welsh travelling poets or bards used to perform their own work to their own harp accompaniment. The harp they would use would be the smaller "Celtic" or "knee" harp, so much easier to carry around than the pedal concert harp used these days for most Cerdd Dant singing. But the essential point is that this tradition is one of presenting poetry to music; in Cerdd Dant, everything starts and ends with the words. And very often, the words are written "Cynghanedd", the strict code of alliteration and rhyme which is also unique to the Welsh tradition. As for the music, what makes Cerdd Dant (or "penillion" singing as it is sometimes called, which means "the singing of verses") unique is that the harp plays a melody, either a traditional air or a tune composed for the purpose, and the singer sings a counter melody with it. The harp melody is chosen to reflect the nature of the poetry, and the counter melody is composed as a perfect vehicle for the words; indeed the Welsh word for the process of composing the counter-melody is "gosod", which means "setting" the words to music, again emphasising the central importance of the poetry. ' - notes from Dafydd Iwan's CD, "Goreuon Cerdd Dant". We stock ALL the Cerdd Dant collections that are available in print, not only those published by the "Cymdeithas Cerdd Dant Cymru" but also by other publishers such as Curiad, Y Lolfa, Snell. The majority of them have only melodies, but we have a few that contain both words and music. Contact us for details of all Cerdd Dant publications in print. Please click here for our collection of recorded Cerdd Dant music available for sale.

	Diliau'r Dyffryn Ref: diliaur This collection of ceinciau is newly published and is both a pleasing and very useful volume. Price: £5.00


	Llety'r Bugail - Eleri Owen Ref: op35 This collection of Cerdd Dant ceinciau by Eleri Owen is one of the most requested for Welsh weddings, two of the pieces being very popular processionals. Price: £2.25


	Bro Mebyd - Mona Meirion / Nan Jones Ref: op36 This collection of 8 Ceinciau is widely used in Eisteddfodau for Cerdd Dant competitions. Price: £2.00


	Ceinciau'r Ifanc Ref: op37 This collection of Ceinciau was compiled from pieces composed by A-level students in 1989: It includes works by harpists who have since become busy professionals including Rhian Davies, Ceri Wynne Jones, Nia Clwyd and Rhodri Davies. Price: £2.50


	Alawon Dwynant - J Eirian Jones Ref: op38 16 new ceinciau by Lampeter born Eirian Jones, who has been head of music at Ysgol Penweddig Aberystwyth for many years. Price: £4.95


	Nudd Gwyn - Gwenant Pyrs Ref: op39 13 new Ceinciau from Gwenant Pyrs, conductor of the celebrated ladies' Cerdd Dant choir Côr Seiriol in Bangor. Price: £4.99


	Lobsgows - Bethan Bryn Ref: op40 12 new ceinciau by noted cerdd dant exponent Bethan Bryn. Based near Aberystwyth, she is one of the most familiar figures on the Eisteddfod circuit. (The title refers to a 'leftover' soup or stew popular in the north.) Price: £5.95

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Diliau'r Dyffryn

Llety'r Bugail - Eleri Owen

Bro Mebyd - Mona Meirion / Nan Jones

Ceinciau'r Ifanc

Alawon Dwynant - J Eirian Jones

Nudd Gwyn - Gwenant Pyrs

Lobsgows - Bethan Bryn