Reflections of a community and the natural world: hospital music-&-sound installation provides inspiration for new album on Tŷ Cerdd records
Tŷ Cerdd Records have announced the release of a new album of music and sound works written for well-being and contemplation. The curated works on the album entitled Cynefin (a unique Welsh word meaning ‘habitat’, and so much more), were created as part of Tŷ Cerdd’s arts & health initiative CoDi Grange. Through the project, music and sound installations were made for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s new Grange University Hospital in Llanfrechfa, part of an extensive arts programme, supported by the Welsh Government and curated and commissioned by Studio Response.
Tŷ Cerdd in collaboration with Studio Response and health board staff commissioned artists from a range of genres to create the music and sound installations especially for the multi-faith chapel space in the hospital. The six works were designed to improve the well-being and experience of hospital patients and visitors as well as the NHS staff that work there each day.
The response from people who have listened to the compositions at the critical care hospital has been extremely positive and now the works will also be available for people everywhere to hear from 5 November, through a digital album release on Tŷ Cerdd records.
The works created by the Welsh composers were conceived with the aim of providing support, solace and peace to visitors to the chapel, who may be experiencing times of crisis. Central to the creative process for all the artists was direct engagement with members of the community, with each piece made to reflect the surrounding landscape and its people. Each artist focussed on elements of the natural world in the hospital’s catchment area and engaged with different representatives of local communities, reaching out to people and embedding their thoughts and feelings into the musical work.
The lead music artist was award-winning electronic composer Jo Thomas, who, together with the Tŷ Cerdd team mentored the other participating music-creators through the unique creation process. The six resulting works are:
- Cynefin: Delyth & Angharad Jenkins
- Edau Bywyd (Threads of Life): Ashley John Long
- Glaw – Shoda: Teifi Emerald
- Sketch of Nature: Jo Thomas
- Sound of the Breeze, Song of the Waves: Leona Jones
- Where the Veil is Thin: Stacey Blythe
Deborah Keyser Director of Tŷ Cerdd said: “We know how powerful the arts are for wellbeing and health – so Tŷ Cerdd welcomed the opportunity to bring together a group of artists to embed music into the multi-faith chapel at the Grange. As the development agency for Welsh music, Tŷ Cerdd is constantly creating opportunities for composers to develop their practice and to engage with communities and audiences, and this project was deeply embedded in the communities around the hospital. The results are very special indeed, and through releasing the album Cynefin on our record label we can now extend the reach of this music-and-sound world for others to hear and experience.”
Jo Breckon, Co-Director of Studio Response said "We were delighted to collaborate with Ty Cerdd on this exciting commission. The composers have created a powerful and moving collection of site-specific work which promotes spirituality and personal wellbeing. We are particularly heartened to know that the mentoring support provided by Jo Thomas and the Ty Cerdd team has enabled the composers to develop their skills helping them to sustain their creative practice. For us, this too is a fundamentally important outcome of this partnership project."
Peter Carr, Executive Director of Therapies and Health Science, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Chair of the Grange University Hospital Arts Strategy Group said "I am delighted that the work created as a result of our ground-breaking partnership with Ty Cerdd will now be enjoyed by so many more people thanks to this digital release. I’m sure it will inspire, soothe and provide emotional sanctuary to many, as it does for those who access the music within the hospital itself"
Tŷ Cerdd Records and the recording studio are an important part of Tŷ Cerdd (Music Centre Wales). Based at Wales Millennium Centre, it provides a central hub for the music community with the aim of promoting and celebrating music-making in Wales, both at home and to the rest of the world.
Cynefin is available to pre-order now and will be available to purchase on the Tŷ Cerdd website and be available to stream from 5 November.
To preview/review the new release or to arrange interviews please contact:
Penny James, Freelance Press, Media and Communications for Tŷ Cerdd
Penny.james@btopenworld.com
07854 114 782