The Mabinogion is a collection of the earliest Welsh prose stories, compiled in Middle Welsh in the 12th–13th centuries from earlier oral traditions.

Francis Faux’s pieces are dedicated to, and first performed by, the clarinettist Emma Davies.

Original front cover painting by Marie Elliott.

Contents

1:  I, Dylan
2:  I, Arianrhod
3:  I, Gofannon
4:  I, Rhiannon
5:  I, Gwydion

The last piece makes good use of a ‘Loop Pedal’.

Programme Notes

Dylan, son of Gwydion and Arianrhod. In the moment of his baptism, he plunged into the ocean below and transformed into a resplendent sea creature, moving through the water with such grace and ease. When his uncle, Gofannon, struck him down not knowing who he was, the waves are said to have sighed deeply at his passing, though his playful spirit can still be glimpsed on the Pwynt Maen Tylen to this day.

Arianrhod, mother of twin sons, Dylan and Lleu, whose domain is one of sorcery and starlight. Even her husband, Nwyvre, knows not of all her schemes but some whisper that, as she ceaselessly spins her celestial wheel to bring order to the cosmos, she hums an ancient tune in silvery tones.

Gofannon, master of the forge. It was said that, in the fray of battle, death would swiftly follow a strike from a weapon fashioned by the smith God. Fate conspired against this architect of bloodshed however, cruelly guiding his hand to deal one of the ‘unfortunate blows’ upon his nephew, Dylan, after which he grieved in solitude with only the tools of his craft as comfort.

Rhiannon, goddess of fertility and muse for artistic inspiration. In the old forests of Cantre’r Gwaelod, she was often glimpsed in resplendent golden robes astride a pale white mare. When Pwyll, lord of the realm, saw her in the distance, he ordered his liegemen to give chase but their pursuit was in vain, such was the swiftness of her charge. Pwyll called out just as she was about to disappear from sight and, to his surprise, she slowed and waited for him, knowing that he would likely fall under the spell of her beauty.

Gwydion, brother of Arianrhod, was a cunning and skilled magician known for his deceit and trickery. The potency of his spellcraft was justly feared for he could change the very form of others and even possessed the ability to create women from mere flowers.