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Rhodri Davies

Telyn Rawn

Label: Amgen

Format: CD

Genre: Experimental

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€12.70
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Dating back to the 13th century in Wales, the Telyn Rawn is a nearly forgotten horsehair harp; UK improvising harpist Rhodri Davies researched the instrument and its unique sound, commissioning the construction of a harp on which he performs 18 improvisations of impressive technique and sonority, launching his new Amgen Records label with this album named for the instrument.

"A Telyn Rawn is a harp strung with horse hair and predates the appearance of the triple, lever and pedal harps. The earliest reference to this early Welsh harp can be found in the Laws of Hywel Dda (13th century), the codification of traditional Welsh laws. This harp remains largely unknown to contemporary audiences. One of the last references to a Telyn Rawn made in Wales was around two hundred years ago. In 2016 Davies researched the Telyn Rawn in early Welsh poetry and commissioned the building of a new harp. "All the music on this album is improvised. I designed and built a long forgotten instrument, experimented with wound and pleated horse hair strings, I engaged with historical texts and poetry, learnt the techniques and music from the Robert ap Huw manuscript and researched the importance of the horse and horse cults in Welsh culture. All these interventions were a means to improvise historically informed music and re-evaluate the legacy of the harp in Wales but ultimately served as a jumping off point so as to create new possibilities." - Rhodri Davies

Details
Cat. number: AMGEN 001
Year: 2020

Release notes

Recorded 22nd and 23rd of January 2020 at Blank Studios, Newcastle upon Tyne. Comes in gatefold card case. 12 page booklet included.

Tracklist
1Penrhiw2:37
2Gorchan Sali5:44
3Y Gaseg Fedi2:09
4Angharat Ton Uelen2:51
5Maen Ceti1:53
6Rhywbeth1:06
7Afon Dewi Fawr4:13
8Ffarwel Arddol3:24
9Lwc I'r Ceffyl Melyn2:11
10Pengribyn3:16
11Cwrt Malle3:00
12Triban Cilrhedyn1:16
13Waunceiliogau2:21
14Dygan Tro'r Ebill2:47
15Erddigan Gwawr1:50
16Gorhoffedd Rhisiart2:38
17Penglog Ceffyl2:02
18Y Don Newydd1:52
Credits
Anna Peaker
Design
Jean-Luc Guionnet
Drawing
Rhodri Davies
Harp [Horsehair Harp], Liner Notes [English, Welsh]
Daryl Feehely
Photography By [Photos By]
Sam Grant
Recorded By, Edited By, Mastered By
Iolo Goch
Text By [Quote On Cover (Welsh, English)]