Cusan Aderyn
for soprano & piano trio

Description

Cusan Aderyn (2019) – for soprano & piano trio. Text by Richard Llwyd.

Commissioned by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias for the 2020 Wales International Piano Festival with support from: Tŷ Cerdd, Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, Foyle Foundation & Colwinston Charitable Trust. Completed 4 October 2019 (Llandyssil). First Performance 3 October 2021 by Alys Roberts, Sara Trickey, Reinoud Ford & Iwan Llewelyn-Jones, Galeri Arts (Caernarfon). Dedicated to Ludwig. Duration ca. 5′

Music inspired by the second movement of Beethoven’s Septet Op. 20 (mvt. II) and Y Bardd yn ei Awen (The Inspired Bard) – trad. transcribed by Edward Jones, 1802.

Lyrics

Gwyn ei vyd ‘r aderyn,
Ni hau ni vêd un gronyn;
Ni vedd orchwyl yn y byd,
Ond canu ar hyd y vlwyddyn.

Moes gusan bychan dibechod, digriv
Mal degryn o wirod,
Medrusaidd medru osod,
Er mwyn Duw, ar vy min dôd!

The happy bird nor reaps nor sows,
One only care his bosom knows,
In Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring,
The business of his life – to sing.

Give me the playful harmless kiss,
That little [boon,] melifuous bliss,
Thou well canst lay it on my lip,
The drop, for God’s sake, let me sip!

– Welsh (original) by Richard Llwyd
– English (translation) by Elizabeth Edwards