Catrin Finch reveals Eisteddfod T Composition Prize Winner

The winner of the 2021 Eisteddfod T Composition Prize is a familiar face on the Urdd Eisteddfod stage.

Today (Tuesday, 1 June), in a special ceremony broadcast live from the Urdd Residential Centre in Llangrannog, in the company of judge and renowned harpist Catrin Finch, it was revealed that Alaw Grug Evans from Pontyberem is this year’s Eisteddfod T Composition Prize Winner.

She wins the Composition Prize title for composing a piece of music of no longer than 3 minutes in duration on any theme. According to the judge Catrin Finch, she was impressed by the top three compositions and described the ensemble by Alaw under the pseudonym ‘Siarad Mân’ as “inspirational”, “intelligent” and “beautiful”.

A former pupil of Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin, Alaw is 19 years old and is in her first year studying Music at The Queen’s College, University of Oxford. Although she has successfully competed in many stage competitions at the Urdd Eisteddfod, this was the first time Alaw entered the composition competition. She composed ‘Pwyll a Rhiannon’ as part of a series of four pieces based on the Four Branches of the Mabinogi, and Alaw hopes to compose the third branch in the next year.

In her adjudication, Catrin Finch said: “I had great pleasure in judging the Composition Prize this year and realising how many talented young composers we have here in Wales. It was encouraging to see the standard of the compositions and realise that the inspirational music of our young people is ‘alive and well’ all around us.

“‘Siarad Mân’ chose a slightly different ensemble – violin, viola, cello, trumpet and harp… that managed to paint a picture with the use of beautiful and interesting harmonies and melodies… I just wanted to listen to more!”

The competition is sponsored by the James Pantyfedwen Foundation and Alaw will receive a specially created trophy by north Wales sculptor Ann Catrin Evans. The runners up in the competition were Ioan Rees from Cyffylliog near Ruthin who came in second place and Celt John from Dolgellau in third place.

All results to date can be found on the website s4c.cymru/urdd

Eisteddfod T will be held throughout this week (31 May – 4 June). You can join in the fun, on TV, radio and online and there will be results and information on the s4c.wales/urdd website and on the Urdd’s social media with the hashtag #EisteddfodT.