2117/Hedd Wyn CD **** Reviews
Fiona Maddocks and Robert Hugill - 4 star Reviews for New CD
Stephen McNeff conducting the orchestra of Welsh National Opera at the recording in Hoddinott Hall (photo Ryan Eddleston)
Members of the cast in the recording sessions - Alys Mererid Roberts, Meinir Wyn Roberts, William Rennie, Steffan Lloyd Owen (photo Rian Eddlestone)
Planet Hugill
McNeff has created a remarkable and engaging work, full of lovely sounds. There are multiple groups involved rather than a monolithic separation of soloists and chorus. The overall sound world is certainly engaging and McNeff's score is full of good things. He has clearly relished the challenge of writing for these particular forces. The piece rattles along wonderfully.
Robert Hugill. Full 4**** review here.
Tim Rhys Evans and Stephen McNeff during the recording (Photo Ryan Eddleston)
BBC Music Magazine
McNeff is an experienced and skilful opera composer, and his score is well-crafted and engaging. He’s impressively served by the largely Welsh-speaking cast (an English-speaking Officer, incidentally, is portrayed with some venom). Paul Carey Jones, Steffan Lloyd Owen, Meinir Wyn Roberts, Llio Evans and the rest of the cast do a fine job in their (sometimes multiple) roles. The composer himself conducts. Sad as it is not to have the planned film, this recording demonstrates the piece’s quality.
George Hall
CD Front cover - photo by Matthew Thistlewod
Available from Ty Cerdd by following this link (bilingual libretto, and full cast list available). Also streaming https://music.apple.com/gb/album/stephen-mcneff-2117-hedd-wyn/1633323634