As a musical prelude to the international Ty Cerdd Music Conference that will be held at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff this weekend, a brand new recording initiative will be launched later today aimed at the promotion and preservation of Welsh music.

Welsh

Ty Cerdd Records is an ‘in house’ initiative devoted to the music of Welsh composers and performers, and will be officially launched with a special performance by international pianist Llyr Williams.

Aim

The new label aims to help the national organisation with their mission to promote the music of Wales to the widest possible audience, by recording new commissions, re-mastered works from archival recordings, and the performance of existing manuscripts of Welsh composers held at Ty Cerdd’s own library at the Wales Millennium Centre. Revenue generated by the label will be reinvested in Welsh music.

The first productions on the label have already been announced, with artists such as Llyr Williams and composer Daniel Jones to be featured alongside Stuart Burrows, Dylan Thomas and William Mathias.

Significant step

Ty Cerdd Director Gwyn L Williams told 4BR: "The launch of our new record label is a significant step in bringing the music of Wales to a world audience.

I believe that Ty Cerdd has a leading role to play in the promotion of Welsh music alongside our main vision of being a ‘one stop shop’ supporting, the creation, performance and empowering experience of music, both in and of Wales.

We will produce five exciting recordings in celebration of our composers (past and present) during 2014. I can’t think of a better way to begin than with Llyr Williams playing the music of Daniel Jones paired with a one-time visitor to Wales — the Hungarian composer Bela Bartok."

Opportunity

John Griffiths, Minister for Culture and Sport added: "This initiative provides the opportunity to promote Welsh music to an international audience as well as within the domestic market.

It also provides a wonderful chance for our many excellent amateur music groups to show the world our strength across a range of music genres."

It also provides a wonderful chance for our many excellent amateur music groups to show the world our strength across a range of music genresJohn Griffiths, Minister for Culture and Sport

Treasures

Meanwhile, Nick Capaldi, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Wales said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to hear some of the treasures held in the Ty Cerdd archive."