John Metcalf

John Metcalf is a leading Welsh composer who has composed major works in many musical forms. While his cultural roots are in the heart of Wales, his work has a broad international following and is represented in a growing catalogue of recordings.

In 2009 he received one of four inaugural Creative Wales Ambassador Awards from the Arts Council of Wales. The awards recognise artists' achievements, their standing in the arts in Wales and their capacity to push the boundaries of their art inherently as form and as a point of contact with contemporary Wales.

2010 highlights include the release in September by Signum Records of the 'Paths of Song' CD, containing Septet, Llwybrau Cân (Paths of Song), Castell Dolbadarn (Dolbadarn Castle) and Mapping Wales. A recording of his six piano palindrome Never Odd or Even in a multi-track version by Dutch pianist Jeroen van Veen will also be released later this year.

John has recently completed a saxophone quartet, entitled On Song, for the Lunar Saxophone Quartet which will be premiered on October 29 at the Riverfront Arts Centre Newport. It has also been recorded for Signum Records and the CD will be launched at a special event at the Wales Millennium Centre on November 5th.

He is currently working on his seventh opera based on Dylan Thomas' UNDER MILK WOOD. The opera is a international co-commission - from the Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea and Companion Star, New York.