Welsh Vocal Music

Singing has long been an integral component of Wales's culture, identity, and international reputation; alongside the deep traditions of Welsh folksong, the country's composers have produced a rich body of art music. Welsh Vocal Music introduces readers to the vast vocal repertoire of Wales and provides them with the tools to accurately and confidently sing in the Welsh language. The first section of the book offers an introduction to Welsh lyric diction, including sounds, spellings, pronunciation rules, and dialects, while the second section provides a guide to notable vocal composers of Wales and their works. A biographical and stylistic overview is provided for each composer, along with a catalogue of and commentary on their important works, including art songs, folk song arrangements, choral music, and opera. IPA transliterations and translations, along with online recordings, provide additional guidance on accurate diction. Offering a comprehensive description of Welsh lyric diction and uniting author biographies and style guides, Welsh Vocal Music is an ideal resource for professional singers, vocal coaches, conductors, and advanced students looking to perform Welsh music. Providing key contextual information about Wales's history, language, and traditions, the book invites musicians to explore and celebrate the beauty, variety, and power of the country's repertoire.

Rachel Schutz is an assistant professor of voice at Ithaca College. Originally from Cardiff, Wales, she holds a DMA in Vocal Performance from Stony Brook University and an MA in Linguistics from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. In addition to being a scholar of Welsh diction and vocal repertoire, she is an internationally recognized soprano and has performed around the world including at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall Boston, and with the Santa Fe Opera.

Preface Acknowledgements Glossary Introduction PART I: Welsh Lyric Diction 1 An Introduction to the Welsh Language 2 Orthography and Prosody 3 Vowels 4 Consonants 5 Register and Dialect PART II: Vocal Repertoire 6 An Introduction to Welsh Music History 7 Traditional Songs, Hymns, and Patriotic Songs 8 Yr Hen Ganiadau 9 David Vaughan Thomas and W. Bradwen Jones 10 Morfydd Owen 11 Grace Williams 12 Mansel Thomas 13 Meirion Williams 14 Dilys Elwyn-Edwards 15 Alun Hoddinott 16 William Mathias 17 Karl Jenkins 18 Contemporary Composers Appendix I: Rubrics and Shorthands Appendix II: How to Create an IPA Transcription Appendix III: Repertoire Lists Art Songs by Level Choral Music by Level Opera Choral Music by Ensemble Type Art Songs by Theme Choral Music by Theme Folk Song Arrangements Appendix IV: Resources Bibliography Index