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Mervyn Burtch 1929-2015

Un o gyfansoddwyr mwyaf cynhyrchiol Cymru, disgrifiodd Merfyn ei hyn fel “jobbing composer” – “someone who produces what is needed at the time and for a puropose.” Mae ei waith yn cynnwys nifer o nifer o weithiau ar gyfer pobl ifanc, heb eilio, cyfres o oeras – fel Maggie May and the Magic Milk Bottle, Percy the Martian, and Sam Sparrow and the Coca-Cola Well.  Tystiai y rhain nid yn unig i’w ddealltwriaeth o botensial cerddorol plant on hefyd ei hiwmor! Gyda gweithiau ar gyfer for “Kids Op”, ar gyfer yr onsomblau ieuenctid cenedlaethol, ar gyfer ysgolion, colegau cerddorion amatur a phroffesiynol (ni wnaiff y gwahniaeth yma ei hun), Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru a nifer o Ŵyliau, mae ganddo gyfoeth o gynhyrchion.

One of Wales’s most prolific writers, Mervyn Burtch described himself as a “jobbing composer”.  He saw himself “as someone who produces what is needed at the time and for a purpose”. He wote many works for young people, not least a series of operas – such as Maggie May and the Magic Milk Bottle, Percy the Martian, and Sam Sparrow and the Coca-Cola Well.  These illustrate not only his understanding of children’s musical potential, but his sense of humour!  With works for “Kids Op”, for the national youth music ensembles, for schools, colleges, amateur and professional musicians (he did not make such a distinction himself), Welsh National Opera and for many Festivals, his output is rich indeed.

ENGLISH

photo ©Matthew Thistlewood 2009

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