Title

Yr Hen Erddygan
Variants on an Ancient Welsh Melody

Composer /
Arranger

A superb solo by a major twentieth century composer

'YR HEN ERDDYGAN is one of the oldest, if not the very oldest of our Welsh folk melodies. It was first brought to my notice by the folksinger, Dora Herbert Jones. In 1955, I made an arrangement of the tune for the master-cellist, Pablo Casals. The present work consists of a set of free variants, each of which bears a title. The melody is never heard complete until the concluding movement, "Theme and Epilogue". The work is inscribed to Ann Griffiths and her husband, Dr. Lloyd Davies, and I am deeply indebted to them for their valuable and timely help.' Mansel Thomas