Llio rhydderch
Llio Rhydderch is a traditional Welsh harper who is recognised as the foremost and most innovative and influential exponent of the Welsh Triple Harp today but, above all, she is a creative artist.
Llio is descended from the ancient Welsh harpers in an unbroken direct line which extends back many centuries. Through her, this unique line lives on and she is pivotal in its preservation as she passes on the ancient art to her pupils - the next generation.
Andrew Cronshaw said of her in FROOTS 'in her resides the living tradition of the old Welsh harpers in all its glory... in this enormously skillful, brilliant creative player of the triple harp'
As a child Llio Rhydderch was taught the harp by Nansi Richards (Telynores Maldwyn) acknowledged in her day as the Queen of the Welsh Triple Harp, a title which Llio Rhydderch is increasingly being accorded by her reviewers.
Recent career highlights include:
- Debut album TELYN (Fflach Tradd CD196H 1997) 'which took the world of Welsh music by storm and proved uncompromisingly that the field of triple harp playing in Wales has immense potential'
- Creative dance commission with Sioned Huws Dance Company in Royal festival Hall
- Major UK Harp and Soul Tour organised by Folkworks.
- Official 1999 Rugby World Cup CD 'Land of My Fathers' the only solo instrumental track in the compilation
- Dónal Lunny invitation to Dublin to record and film for RTE\'s Millennium Celebration 2000 TODAY. Lli\'s performance can be heard on Dónal's double CD Journey - The best of Dónal Lunny
- John Cale of The Velvet Underground used her music in his film Beautiful Mistake in which she is also featured. The film has been released world wide and has been shown on British TV channels.
- Llio\'s music was also used by Gerald Con\'s BAFTA Award winning animation film company Cinetig as background to the film Chwarelwr y Sêr
- Second CD MELANGELL (Flach Tradd CD 234H) appeared in 2000 and has received stunning reviews nationally and internationally. Its tracks have been played on radio and TV including Radio 3's Late Junction and Classic FM