New music – as soloist and as Principal Harpist BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sioned has premiered countless works as harpist with several choirs and orchestras, in particular with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Singers (see reference to BBCSO below Solo and ensemble premieres)
Solo and ensemble premieres
Below is a list of some of the diverse works which Sioned premiered/commissioned, in the categories of
Solo Voice and Harp duo Choir and Harp Concerto
Full details of each piece with timings, movements, where and when premiered, programme notes, where you can purchase/obtain the music, short composers’ biographies, as well as reviews and photographs of the covers and inside pages of each piece will appear here soon.
Here is a guide to works which can already be listened to on CD or watched on youtube. Several were broadcast on radio.
R3 =broadcast on Radio 3
SOLOS
Anthony Bolton Impromptu for harp R3
CD: My Beloved: Guild Records GMCD 7335 A Garland of Carols with Oxford Voices conducted by Mark Shepherd and Impromptu for harp (solo)
David Graham-Ellis Solipsis R3
Michael Finnissy Welsh Harp
Amir Sadeghi Konjani Saakene ravaan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkK2gkalxgM
Saakene ravaan, filmed by BBC Persian Television at The British Museum
Amir Sadeghi Konjani Myself and the resistance of wine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbAcxOrzQcE
Myself and the resistance of wine, filmed by Amir Konjani at Ashley Wood Festival for the performing Arts
Alan Laing Sei Versi
Paul Lewis Improvisations on ‘The Ash Grove’
Cyril Lloyd Gethsemane R3
John Marson Fantasia R3
Dominic Murcott: Domestica for harpist, audio playback and film R4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBDRbSq9JWs&t=441s
Domestica, filmed by Magali Charrier at Sioned’s home
David Nevens Harping David R3
Paul Patterson Spiders R3
https://www.facebook.com/theharpchannel/videos/670968317021887/?vh=e Spiders, filmed by WHC at the World Harp Congress in Vienna
Paul Patterson Spirals
CD: Harp Gallery SFZM0315 Royal Academy of Music Alumnae
Patrick Piggott Sonata for Harp R3
Andy Scott Jukebox
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmyDjcUgbyVDYyBLoCSEbbw/videos
Jukebox, filmed by Alex Armstrong-Holding, recorded by Tim Redpath at Temple Studios, Surrey
David Snell Ballade
Julia Simpson The Frog Prince
Michael Stimpson The Stars Have Withdrawn Their Shining
Michael Stimpson Maisry and Salisbury Plain
Michael Stimpson The Drowning of Capel Celyn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRJsO8ZGuXA
The Drowning of Capel Celyn, still photographs with poetry recitations; Sioned Williams reciting ‘Tryweryn’ by Huw T. Edwards (Sioned’s grandfather) in Welsh, and Alexander Rider reciting a translation (by Eleri Huws) of the poem in English
Photography by Sioned Williams
Amir Tafreshipour A Night in Shiraz
Hugh Webb Rogue Trader
Adrian Williams Two pieces for harp R3
DUO
Bill Marx Duo for cello and harp
TRIO
John Tavener To a child dancing in the wind for flute, viola and harp R3
VOICE AND HARP
Huw Spratling Four Tennyson Songs, Op.24
Anthony Purkiss Aiolou R3
Michael Berkeley Wessex Graves R3
Robin Holloway The Noon’s Repose R3
Gareth Glyn Songs of the Marches R3
Michael Stimpson Dylan
CD: Dylan: Stone Records STONE 5060192780550
Song-cycle with Roderick Williams, baritone, and The Drowning of Capel Celyn, harp solo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRVV571RlnY
Dylan with baritone Roderick Williams; readings, song, and harp interludes, and The Drowning of Capel Celyn for harp (solo) with still photos
Photography by Sioned Williams
CHOIR AND HARP
Anthony Bolton A Garland of Carols, for boys’ choir and harp
CD: My Beloved: Guild Records GMCD 7335 Anthony Bolton’s A Garland of Carols with Oxford Voices and Mark Shepherd and Impromptu for harp (solo)
Patrick Piggott Samplers for soprano, high voices and harp R3
Alan Ridout Hymn to the Holy Spirit for mixed voices and harp R3
Adrian Williams Merry Mirthday for high voices and harp R3
CONCERTOS
Peter Aviss Concertino for harp and strings, with Oare String Orchestra, Kent
Graham Fitkin No Doubt: Concerto for MIDI harp and strings, with BBC Symphony Orchestra R3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu_FlB6Aemo
selections of rehearsal and concert, Fitkin speaking, with BBCSO
Susan Rothstein Lament for harp and strings, with Trinity College of Music String Players
Amir Mahyar Tafreshipour A Persian Reflection for harp, strings, celeste and single percussion player, with BBC Symphony Orchestra R3
Amir Sadeghi Konjani Concertino for Soveida (lever) Harp and Ensemble, with London Symphony Orchestra
BBC Symphony Orchestra
My final farewell
A momentous occasion, and it had to be Friday 13th! On this day, in 2018, I performed as Principal Harpist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra for the very last time. I had 28 years of the most brilliant, hectic, orchestral life; countless premieres, two commissioned concertos, trips around the globe, RAH Prom Seasons, television and radio, commercial recordings, and I worked with the most eminent conductors and composers in the world. Such a talented and versatile orchestra, it was a dream to work with these colleagues, and I had the best ‘harp team’ (Myself and Louise Martin my brilliant Co-Principal)!
Even in 2021, life still seems hectic, though very different, and the full story of my time with the orchestra will emerge ‘as and when’… (I am in the process of sorting out my recollections). It was a privilege to play in a final concert with the orchestra under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis, the wonderful BBC Symphony Chorus, and a brilliant line-up of soloists; Soprano Emma Tring; Tenor Andrew Staples, and Baritone Roderick Williams, all superb, as ever. For the kindest words spoken, gifts humbly received, and much celebrating, I will always give grateful thanks for making my brilliant send-off an evening to remember.