Gwenllian: Fantasia for 12 Celli, Opus 150

Gwenllian, a fantasia for twelve solo celli, was written especially for Virtuosi di Basso, the cellists of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, in 2003, who premiered and recorded it in Prague. Gwenllian was the last Welsh Princess of Wales. She died tragically in English captivity after the English conquest in 1282. The music reflects this theme of an unnecessarily wasted life. The central section introduces the beautiful Welsh folksong: Merch Ifanc – a young girl in the morning, married at noon, a widow by nightfall – time passes, opportunities and potential are lost, it could and should have been different … Duration: about 9 minutes. Complete instrumental parts are available on this site (next item). Please contact me for details of the version for 10 celli.