08 February 2012
Do you have a favourite hymn? Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol wants to hear your opinion and during February the series will ask you to vote for your favourite hymn to be crowned Emyn i Gymru 2012 (Hymn for Wales).
Earlier in the month a panel of experts selected a shortlist of 20 hymns. Following the viewers’ vote twelve of the most popular hymns will be performed at a special Cymanfa Ganu at the Pafiliwn Bont, Pontrhydfendigaid on 2 March.
The Cymanfa Ganu will be broadcast in a special edition of Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol on S4C on Sunday 11 March.
The twenty hymns are:
• Arwelfa - Arglwydd gad im dawel orffwys
• Bro Aber - O tyred i’n gwaredu Iesu da
• Builth - Rhagluniaeth fawr y nef
• Cwm Rhondda - Wele’n sefyll rhwng y myrtwydd
• Godre’r Coed - Tydi sy deilwng fyth o’m cân
• In Memoriam - Arglwydd Iesu, arwain f’enaid
• Llwynbedw - Iesu, Iesu, ‘rwyt ti’n ddigon
• Pantyfedwen - Tydi a wnaeth y wyrth O Grist Fab Duw
• Ebeneser - Dyma gariad fel y moroedd
• Rachie - I bob un sy’n ffyddlon
• Rhys - Rho im yr hedd
• Gwahoddiad - Mi glywaf dyner lais
• Mawlgan - Bendigedig fyddo’r Iesu
• Blaenwern - Tyred Iesu i’r anialwch
• Sirioldeb - Un fendith dyro im
• Bryn Myrddin - Mawr oedd Crist yn nhragwyddoldeb
• Berwyn - Tyrd atom ni, O Grewr pob goleuni
• Sanctus - Glân geriwbiaid a seraffiaid
• Llef - O Iesu mawr rho d’anian bur
• Gweddi Wladgarol - Cofia’n gwlad Benllywydd tirion
Poll cards will be distributed by post and are available in local Welsh shops. You can also vote on the Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol website. You can also place your vote by phoning 02920 838137. The closing date is 17:00 on Friday 24 February.
The panel who took on the challenge of compiling a shortlist of twenty hymns consisted of conductor and musician Alun Guy; Allan Fewster, Chair of the National Eisteddfod’s Music Committee; Davida Lewis, conductor of Côr Waunarlwydd choir; and Margaret Daniel, conductor of Merched Bro Nest choir and Cardigan Pensioners Choir. Chairing the discussion was Robert Nicholls, Director of Tŷ Cerdd.
"It was a very difficult task to decide on just twenty hymns," says Robert Nicholls. "Although the panel agreed on most choices, there were disagreements among some members as some favoured certain hymns more than others.
"It was important that we offered a variety of styles and we hope very much that there is something for everyone. We're looking forward to seeing the public response.”
Viewers are invited to be in the audience for the Cymanfa Ganu on 2 March at 19:00, where they will sing the top 12 most popular hymns in the order of the public vote, leading up to the winner.
Tickets for the Cymanfa Ganu are free of charge, and buses can be arranged for large groups. If you would like to book your place in the Cymanfa Ganu, please contact Avanti on 02920 838137.
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