Eilir Owen Griffiths is widely regarded as one of the most exciting Welsh composers of his generation. His accessible music for choir, orchestra and theatre is regularly performed throughout the UK and beyond.
His composition work has brought him many accolades, amongst which are the Welsh Livery Guild Prize (2004), the Barry Choral Society Prize (2004), the Composers’ Prize (2005), the Worshipful Company of Musicians Award (2005) and in 2008 he won the Main Composers Prize at the National Eisteddfod of Wales Cardiff. 2008 also saw Eilir release a CD of his work Y Gair.
Eilir is established as one of Wales’ most dynamic conductors and has won many of the top competition prizes with his choirs, Côr Aelwyd CF1, Côr Godre’r Garth, Côr y Drindod and The Blues Choir. He is associate conductor of the British Sinfonietta, is a regular contributor to concert platforms and musical events in the UK, and appears on television programmes as a performer and commentator.
The orchestral parts for Ave Verum Corpus are available to hire from our Hire Library.
Christus Natus Est is an eight-movement Christmas work for SATB choir and orchestra (or piano). It features new settings of popular carols such as Away in a Manger and Silent Night alongside newer compositions.
The orchestral parts for Christus Natus Est are available to hire from our Hire Library.
Coro Angelicus has been especially composed by Eilir for Côr Godre’r Garth. It is a lively work which encompasses some of Eilir’s favourite memories with the choir since he took over as conductor in 2003. The brass ensemble is reminiscent of his first performance with the choir on the National Eisteddfod stage, conducting Gloria by John Rutter. The presence of the harp in the work is significant because of the strong cerdd dant tradition in the Pontypridd area, and the percussion instruments are a reminder of a special concert in Carmarthen in 2009, when the choir performed Carmina Burana by Carl Orff and O Beata Trinitas by Karl Jenkins.
The first of the work’s nine movements is Ymdeithgan Angel, composed by Eilir for his wife on their wedding day, when the choir sang in the service. Disgynnodd has been composed in the manner of a folk song, echoing the choir’s folk repertoire down the years. The main theme of Exaudi Nos – Clyw Ni was composed one fine evening when the choir was on tour in La Rochelle in 2010. Although Coro Angelicus is not a festive composition, it contains the familiar carol Noël which brings back fond memories for Eilir of the annual Christmas concerts held at Tabernacl Chapel in Efail Isaf. The work closes with a stirring arrangement of Sanctus, to signify the numerous times the choir has sung at the Millennium Stadium before international rugby matches.
The instrumental parts for Coro Angelicus are available to hire from our Hire Library.
A collection of songs by Eilir Owen Griffiths. Features a number of songs from his musicals and this collection is a valuable addition to the repertoire of this popular music genre. A score for voice and piano accompaniment. Lyrics by Emyr Edwards and Ceri Elen.
Casgliad o ganeuon gan Eilir Owen Griffiths. Mae'r gyfrol yn cynnwys unawdau o nifer o'i sioeau cerdd ac yn ychwanegiad gwerthfawr i repertoire y genre poblogaidd hwn. Sgôr ar gyfer lleisiau a chyfeiliant piano. Geiriau gan Emyr Edwards a Ceri Elen.
Emoticons of Time is a five-movement percussion concerto. It was commissioned by British percussionist David Danford and premiered with Welsh Sinfonia in March 2010.
The orchestral parts for Emoticons of Time are available to hire from our Hire Library.
6.17pm - Pam? is a concert piece for marimba and piano adapted from Emoticons of Time. This version was premiered by David Danford (marimba) and Nicola Rose (piano) during a recital at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in April 2010.
A contemporary setting of the 16th Century sacred Christmas Carol. Also available as part of Christus Natus Est (see above).
The orchestral parts for Gaudete are available to hire from our Hire Library.
Gorffennwyd is a modern cantata which uses Easter as its subject matter. It was originally written during a period of studying in Pella, Iowa in 2001 for a group of friends and Central College Iowa Chamber Choir. The composer intended to shed new light on the story of the crucifiction, and has done so with a mix of Norman Clos-Parry's words and original quotes from the Bible.
The instrumental parts for Gorffennwyd are available to hire from our Hire Library.
Optional Bass Guitar and Drum Kit parts are available to download free of charge.
An experimental SATB piece that gives a choir the opportunity to use their whole bodies to create the mystical and playful world of the magician. The bilingual lyrics (by Catrin Lyall) are written from a child's point of view, hiding behind a tree watching Merlin and being mesmerized by this unusual character.
Darn SATB arbrofol sy'n rhoi rhyddid i aelodau'r côr ddefnyddio eu holl gorff i gyfleu byd hudolus a chwareus y consuriwr. Mae'r geiriau dwyieithog, o waith Catrin Lyall, wedi cael eu hysgrifennu o safbwynt plentyn sy'n cuddio tu ôl i goeden yn gwylio Myrddin yn cael ei wefreiddio gan y cymeriad anarferol hwn.
Violin and Marimba parts are available to download free of charge.
The instrumental parts for the Ensemble and Full Orchestra versions of Requiem are available to hire from our Hire Library.
An SATB choir piece with piano accompaniment. Welsh lyrics by Dewi Jones. Dedicated to Côr Godre'r Garth.
Darn corawl SATB a chyfeiliant piano. Geiriau Cymraeg gan Dewi Jones. Cyflwynir i Gôr Godre'r Garth.