Prized among Welsh speakers, the anonymous 14th-century poem Yr Alarch (‘The Swan’) is a striking verbal portrait of ‘this being without blemish’, conveyed in terms of memorable imagery which has inspired Rhian Samuel’s short setting for unaccompanied baritone. A rarity in its being a true solo song, this stirring tone-picture is also a showpiece, part lyrical, part declamatory, with contemporary vocal techniques sensitively employed. It will be enjoyed by Welsh-speaking singers and audiences fo...