An Interview With Christopher Lewis - Welsh Harpsichord Maestro

'Christopher D. Lewis is The Welsh Contemporary Harpsichordist, and is currently based in San Francisco, California. Born in Rhiwbina, Wales and moved to North America to study music at McGill University, Montreal Quebec in 2005 under the guidance of harpsichordists Luc Beausejour & Hank Knox....' more here

AmeriCymru: Hi Christopher....many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by AmeriCymru. I suppose many people will be curious to know what initially attracted you to the harpsichord?

Chris: I remember, so vividly, at maybe 5 or 6 going for my first piano exam at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and sitting in a room filed with pianos. But I was drawn to a funny looking "piano" in the corner of the room, and I recall so vividly the vibrant plucking sound when I pushed some keys. My Mother informed me it was a harpsichord, and the sound always stuck in my head! But I battled on with piano lessons over the years, never really cared for them.

I didn't like the music and I didn't love the sound the piano made. So when the opportunity arose I took lessons when I was 16 with the Early Music teacher at the WCMD after being reminded of the sound when listening to Bach's Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 on the radio one day. (Classic FM I believe!)

AmeriCymru: Can you tell us how you came to be studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music?

Chris: Aged 18 I moved to Canada, and lived there for 5 gloriously happy years. I studied at first at McGill University specializing in modern music on the harpsichord. After 4 very French years in Montreal I lived for a year in Toronto, not my happiest time, but all that changed when I was accepted into the Masters harpsichord program at the Conservatory here in San Francisco. Finally, some sunshine in my life, and no more snow! I'm currently halfway through my first year here and loving the city, the weather and the music scene here in the Bay Area.

AmeriCymru: Care to tell us a little about your repertoire? What are your favorite performance pieces?

Chris: I've always said very clearly that with very few exceptions, almost any music type will work on the harpsichord. From serious baroque/classical works, to pop and rock - it all works. Of course in the 60's and 70's the harpsichord had such a great career in pop music, just take a listen to some of the Beatles (Piggies, All You Need is Love, Because etc), The Rolling Stones to the Beach Boys. They all used harpsichord fantastically! Alas I don't get to play much pop music (Maybe a Jimi Hendrix or two!) at the Conservatory, I tend to play the more serious classical contemporary pieces, but I'm always drawn to the more audience pleasing pieces. If people are going to hear modern harpsichord, I want to make it fun! I always find a tango piece brings the house down......

A Selection of Performances From Christopher D. Lewis's Youtube Channel

AmeriCymru: Do you compose for the instrument as well? Any future plans in that direction?

Chris: No, Would that I could! I'm pretty useless in that department, but what I am very good at is commissioning pieces for harpsichord. I'd much rather get some wonderful composer to write something deeply idiomatic for harpsichord and for me to play it well, than for me to write something shoddy. Its all about keeping the instrument alive with good music!

AmeriCymru: Where can people go to hear/purchase your music online?

Chris: My website, www.christopherlewis.net features all of this information. It also has a pretty fantastic (If I say so myself!) collection of youtube videos, documenting the most successful and my favourite uses of harpsichord in pop music, I think its worth checking out, you would never think that Joplin's "The Entertainer" or something more shocking like "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" would sound so good on the harpsichord! I always welcome new subscribers gladly at www.youtube.com/chriswales19 and one final shoutout for my facebook page which is: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christopher-D-Lewis-Contemporary-Harpsichord/123597011032776?v=info

AmeriCymru: What's next for Christopher D. Lewis? Any public appearances/performances lined up?

Chris: This coming year seems like a good year for me, I'll be active in the Bay Area, and currently working on the Philip Glass harpsichord concerto in the Fall, but I'm very excited to be giving a solo modern harpsichord performance on April 16th at Osher Salon in San Francisco. I'd love to see any fellow Welshies at that who are in the area!

AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?

Chris: Delighted to be a part of AmeriCymru, its wonderful to be able to represent Wales on foreign soil, and great connecting with fellow Welsh ex-pats out there. Hope to meet many of you at the Eisteddfod in L.A this coming Autumn, and who knows perhaps you might have a chance to hear me play some popular Welsh tunes on my beloved harpsichord at that event! It goes without saying of course, that I owe all my successes with the instrument to my Welsh blood, to be born Welsh truly is to be born blessed. Pob Iwch. CDL

Interview by Ceri Shaw Email

Wales And The Welsh - A Film Project by Gerald Lewis

Bio.

My name is Gerald Lewis and I am a Welshman now living in Portland Oregon. I grew up near Llantrisant, a small town 10 miles outside of Cardiff. After attending Grammar school in Cowbridge I went on to Swansea College of Art, studying photography and film.

Graduating college I was taken on by BBC Wales, where I worked in their film department, starting as an assistant film cameraman and working my way up to Lighting Cameraman.

During this time I worked on many documentaries – some of which have won awards in different film festivals across Europe and Scandinavia.

After several years traveling and working in Europe, (HTV, S4C, Swedish Television) I accepted a position in Saudi Arabia as a documentary producer. It was there I met my American wife and moved to Portland.

Current Project

I am currently working on the production of a documentary – which will examine small cultures living inside of larger, dominant ones, one that will document Wales and the Welsh. 

With the oldest language still in use in Europe and a literary tradition alive since the 6th century, the Celts of Wales have inhabited this corner of Europe since before the Pyramids were built. 

The language and the history of Wales is one of a culture that has survived where many fell to the colonist powers of the recent centuries. Speaking Welsh was extremely restricted for many years, and children found speaking it in school were severely punished.

Despite this Wales has retained it's culture and it's language, to the extent that schools are now actively teaching Welsh, the people of Wales now have their own parliament, there are dual language (English and Welsh) on all road signs and official documents and there is now Welsh language Television and Radio broadcasting.

What is it about Wales and the Welsh that has allowed them to flourish where so many other cultures in a similar position have been absorbed into the larger more dominant one?

I intend to examine the influence of the mountainous, sometimes formidable landscape of Wales and it's influence in shaping the Welsh Character.

It will be a look at the people, concentrating on those that work closest to the land together with the artists and musicians whose work is inspired by their environment. Through interviews and samples of the artists work, overlaid with video depicting the landscape in all it's beauty and splendor, I intend to explore this link.

Support the project here:-  http://kck.st/dNouLw

‘Best television material lies forgotten in dusty vaults’, says top TV producer

Television producer and director Richard Lewis, whose autobiography Out of the Valley is published by Y Lolfa this week, cares little for the seamingly endless reality TV and soap opera offerings laid before television audiences these days. This self-proclaimed ‘media man’ indeed watches very little television and his written reminiscences of a ‘golden age’ in broadcasting give us clues as to why. With the Welsh television industry lurching from one crisis cut-back to another, Richard Lewis’ recollections are a timely reminder of an era long since gone, when the pioneering spirit spawned initiative, idealism and enterprise, with results which were obvious in the quality of programming on our television screens. But this is a man who is now rather disillusioned with the television industry. He says, ‘I occasionally watch television, carefully pre-selected and, preferably, pre-recorded. I have come to the conclusion that television is very much a creature of its time and even the best archives tend to lie forgotten in dusty vaults.’ Richard Lewis, who was born in Ton Pentre, Rhondda trained with the BBC and in his book, he takes us on his and the BBC’s journey of discovery in Wales during the 1960s and beyond, and through to the day in November 1988 when he walked out of the BBC as its Head of General Programmes after nearly 30 years of service. Amongst his many achievements at the Beeb were UK Network productions such as Dylan, Nye, The Extremist, Babylon Bypassed and The Fasting Girl. After then joining an independent television company, he oversaw the production of classic drama series such as Y Palmant Aur, Halen yn y Gwaed and the BAFTA award winning Nel on S4C. Now retired, Richard Lewis shares his time between Llandaff and the South of France. His autobiography Out of the Valley will be published on the 11th of March 2010 by Y Lolfa, priced at £8.95.

The Left Coast Eisteddfod 2009

What is the Left Coast Eisteddfod? Americymru is planning to hold a major event in Portland in August 2009. The "Left Coast Eisteddfod" will be a celebration of all things Welsh and in particular of the American Welsh heritage which has so enriched the history of this nation. In order to promote and raise funds for this event, a charitable foundation - "The Meriwether Lewis Memorial Foundation" is in the process of being established. The foundation is asking for support from members and supporters of this site, and others, to achieve the following objectives:- 1. To raise funds for a talent competition modelled on the Welsh National Eisteddfod which will both provide a showcase for local talent in the various competition categories and introduce the American public to the concept of the "Eisteddfod" . It is hoped that this event will be the first of many and that future events will be held ( perhaps on an annual basis ) in other U.S. cities. 2. To raise funds for a vendors area which will provide a showcase for Welsh and Celtic businesses and craftspeople to promote their talents, goods and services, foster connections between Welsh and American businesses and craftspeople and hopefully create commercial partnerships. 3. To raise funds for a series of concerts which will feature Welsh and Welsh American performers of both traditional and contemporary music and introduce a wider audience to Welsh and Welsh-American arts and talents.Thus far a number of artists, including the following, have expressed an interest in performing at this event. David Llewellyn Here Be Dragons Terry Mostyn Nathan Penlington Oceans Apart Howl Griff Bootnic Hwyl (Nashville) (Cardiff) (New York) (London) (Arizona) (Aberystwyth) (Ynys Mon) (South Carolina) The above is a partial list. Why Support A Party in Portland? Because it will be so much more than that. As can be seen from the above list it will be a true gathering of the tribes. It is hoped that it will be the first of a new breed of Welsh event in the USA . One which showcases contemporary Wales and the Welsh American heritage in equal measure. An event which attracts widespread popular support and participation and moves Welsh heritage into the mainstream of American culture. We are seeking contributions of all sizes. If every member of this site could contribute $10 dollars we would be well on our way to establishing a new American Welsh tradition. We are also seeking commercial sponsors and grants. All donations welcome. Please help if you can. ( for all enquiries please email americymru@gmail.com ) MAKE YOUR DONATION HERE