28 November 2007

 S4C is presenting a special scholarship to the outstanding pianist Llŷr Williams before his concert at Galeri Caernarfon on Friday evening, 30 November.

The scholarship will help Llŷr, originally from Rhosllannerchrugog near Wrexham, to develop his career as a leading pianist and pianist conductor.

Llŷr has already become renowned as a classical soloist and is in high demand to perform to audiences throughout Britain and beyond.

The performer came to the fore on S4C in the documentary The Pianist Llŷr Williams, which was produced by Opus TF and won prizes in the Celtic Media Awards and Bafta Wales.

“I am very grateful to S4C and Opus for helping to raise my profile in Wales in the past few years,” said Llŷr. “And I am pleased to continue to work with them. I am very privileged to have such backing early on in my career.”

The scholarship will enable Llŷr to shadow some of the world’s greatest exponents of the piano and receive lessons from pianists who specialise in performing contemporary works by composers such as Bartok. Llŷr will also get the chance to study copies of manuscripts by the likes of Chopin in order to play the works as close as possible to the original intention.

Iona Jones, Chief Executive of S4C, said: “S4C’s commitment to creative excellence could not be better reflected than in the presentation of a special scholarship to the brilliant pianist Llŷr Williams. We are very proud to support Llŷr and look forward to continuing our close association with him.”

Iona Jones will present the scholarship to Llŷr before his recital on Friday evening, part of a series of special international concerts being held at Galeri. The performance will include works by Beethoven, Debussy, Schumann a Liszt.

On the day of the concert, The Pianist Llŷr Williams will be shown on the public screens in Galeri.

“We have been very pleased by the response to the programme,” said Gareth Williams, Chief Executive of Opus TF. “Llŷr has tremendous talent and we are extremely proud to be working together with S4C on the Channel’s special scholarship to Llŷr.”

Gwyn Roberts, Galeri Caernarfon’s Chief Executive said: “Llŷr Williams is a regular and extremely popular artist in Galeri and it is a great pleasure to welcome him here once again to open this second series of our A* International Concerts. On behalf of Galeri, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Opus, S4C and the Arts Council of Wales for supporting the evening.”

Ends