4LLE / 4PLACES

4LLE, or 4PLACES (in English), is composed by John Hardy and performed by BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with conductor Grant Llewellyn. It is dedicated to Helena Braithwaite and all members of the orchestra.

1. LLYN CAU PENYGADAIR (water upon Cader Idris)
- after more than an hour of climbing, suddenly, there is the deepwater ‘seat’ of Idris, the giant/dragon - a dormant volcano caldera, at the summit of Mynydd Cader Idris
- anyone who sleeps there overnight will awake either mad, or a poet

2. LLYN TEGID A’R TYLWYTH TEG (on Bala Water)
- travel on Tegid [Lake Bala], the largest and deepest natural body of water in Wales
- famous for its unique ancient fish, the Gwyniad, not found anywhere else in the world
- frolicking with the secret fairy folk, who are said to be the cause of disturbances at the surface - though some have claimed there is a hump-backed creature beneath the waters
- could this be a folk memory of beavers?

3. LLEUAD AR DDŴR LLYN SYFADDAN (moon over Llangors)
- moon on water, at Llangors, visible from miles around
- with a prehistoric crannog homestead, a floating island, ever changing light and mist - its slow-moving boats feature in the diary of Rev Francis Kilvert in June-July 1870
- Gerald of Wales in the 12th century mentions the abundant birds and fish

4. HWYLIO YR ORLLEWIN – LLUNIAU YR ARFORDIR AUR (sailing westward)
- pictures of the golden coast
- running towards the West, blind in the blazing light 

released November 14, 2024

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