Concert: World premiere of Cantata Memoria composed by Sir Karl Jenkins

Concert to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Aberfan 
Conductors: Sir Karl Jenkins and Gareth Jones 
Bryn Terfel CBE - bass-baritone 
Catrin Finch - harp 
David Childs - euphonium 
Elin Manahan Thomas - soprano 
Joo Yeon Sir - violin 
Sinfonia Cymru 
Six massed choirs 
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff 
8 October 2016

No-one could fail to be aware of the 50th Anniversary of Aberfan, after much high-profile television coverage in recent weeks has reminded us that following a week of rain, thousands of tons of waterlogged waste from a colliery tip slid down the mountain to engulf Aberfan Primary school and some houses, killing 116 innocent children and 28 adults.

I was privileged to attend a concert at the Welsh Millennium Centre, Cardiff, given on behalf of the Aberfan Memorial Charity in conjunction with S4C television. It featured a very impressive new composition by my very good friend, Sir Karl Jenkins: Cantata Memoria - For the Children, written for the impressive cast noted above, plus three adult and three children’s choirs, all of whom played magnificently all evening, conducted by Gareth Jones in the first half and Sir Karl Jenkins in the second half...

To read Anthony Small’s complete review of this moving event, featured in November 2016’s BBW, subscribe to BBW Digital. Alternatively, subscribe to the printed magazine delivered by post: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (Rest of the World)