Launching the Welsh Music Archive

At a special ceremony on Friday, 22 September, The National Library of Wales launched its Welsh Music Archive Programme in the presence of the folk music expert and Library benefactor, Phyllis Kinney.

Phyllis Kinney and her daughter Eluned were present at the Friday launch where Maredudd ap Huw and I gave a presentation to the Board on the musical collections here and the plans for the future. Members of Côr y Gen (National Library of Wales staff choir) also contributed to the launch by singing a selection of folk songs.

The Library takes pride in the fact that the Merêd and Phyllis archive, which includes their detailed research into traditional music, has come to the Library and is grateful to the family for their generosity in transferring the collection to the Library’s care. The Library intends to provide access to this new resource to everyone who wants to find out more about folk music, and to create online access in digital format.

The Merêd and Phyllis archive reflects their extensive knowledge of traditional singing and leads to further study of the Library’s collections such as the collections of J Lloyd Williams (one of the founders of the Welsh Folk Song Society) and Maria Jane Williams, a prominent collector of Welsh Folk Songs.

During her recent visit to the Library, Cerys Matthews recorded a message enthusiastically supporting the work of the Welsh Musical Archive:

The National Library of Wales not only preserves  the earliest written music from Wales, but also collects  the latest compositions and performances by our contemporary musicians. It is a growing resource; material is added regularly to our musical collections. The collection includes works by internationally renowned classical Welsh composers such as Grace Williams, Daniel Jones, Alun Hoddinott and William Mathias.

And now there are brand new pages on the website for further information on:

  • The Welsh Music Archive
  • Welsh Traditional Music

Lansiwyd Rhaglen Archif Gerddorol Gymreig mewn seremoni arbennig ddydd Gwener, 22 Medi, yng nghwmni’r arbenigwraig ar gerddoriaeth gwerin Phyllis Kinney.

Roedd Phyllis Kinney ynghyd â’i merch Eluned yn bresennol yn y lansiad Dydd Gwener ac fe wnes i Maredudd ap Huw roi cyflwyniad i’r Bwrdd am y casgliadau cerddorol sydd yma a’r cynlluniau ar gyfer y dyfodol. Canodd aelodau o Gôr y Gen (staff Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru) ddetholiad o ganeuon gwerin yn ystod y lansiad.

Mae’r Llyfrgell yn ymfalchïo yn arbennig  fod archif Meredydd Evans  a Phyllis Kinney, sy’n cynnwys gwaith ymchwil oes i gerddoriaeth draddodiadol, wedi dod i’r Llyfrgell ac yn ddiolchgar i’r teulu am eu haelioni yn rhoi’r casgliad i ofal y Llyfrgell. Blaenoriaeth y Rhaglen hon fydd  rhoi mynediad at yr adnodd newydd yma i bawb sydd am ddarganfod mwy am ganu gwerin, a chreu mynediad ato ar-lein mewn ffurf ddigidol. Mae archif Merêd a Phyllis yn adlewyrchu eu gwybodaeth eang am ganu traddodiadol ac yn arwain at astudiaethau pellach i gasgliadau eraill y Llyfrgell megis casgliadau J Lloyd Williams (un o sylfaenwyr Cymdeithas Alawon Gwerin Cymru) a Maria Jane Williams, yr arloesydd cofnodi caneuon gwerin.

Yn ystod y dathliad dangosir fideo o Cerys Matthews yn rhoi cefnogaeth frwd i’r Archif Gerddorol Gymreig yn ystod ei hymweliad diweddar â’r Llyfrgell:

Mae Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru nid yn unig yn gartref diogel i gerddoriaeth ysgrifenedig gynharaf a erys o Gymru, ond hefyd yn gasglwr cyfansoddiadau a pherfformiadau diweddaraf gan ein cerddorion cyfoes. Mae’n adnodd sydd yn tyfu’n gyson; ychwanegir deunydd yn rheolaidd at ein casgliadau cerddorol. Mae’r Llyfrgell yn cynnwys gweithiau gan gyfansoddwyr Cymreig clasurol a ddaeth i fri rhyngwladol fel Grace Williams, Daniel Jones, Alun Hoddinott a William Mathias.

Darllenwch y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am:

  • Yr Archif Gerddorol Gymreig
  • Cherddoriaeth draddodiadol Cymru

Nia Mai Daniel, Programme Manager of the Welsh Musical Archive / Rheolwr Rhaglen Archif Gerddorol Gymreig