CELEBRATING JAMES DAVIES (1765 – 1849)
James Davies, known as 'The Monmouthshire Schoolmaster', was well-known and respected in his lifetime, though little remembered these days, To celebrate the 160th anniversary of his death, Llangattock Lingoed PCC commissioned an original work for the organ by composer Llewellyn Morgan.
The organ work, Cofion Cynnes Am Davies, loosely based on Ravel's Tombeau de Couperin, is a set of five short character movements depicting various stages of James Davies' life. It’s first performance was in St Cadoc's church during August and was attended by many local people and visitors.
The performance also featured local children enacting the Life of James Davies, and the Revd Dr David H Williams spoke from his new research into the life and times of James Davies.
Sara Prosser, an icon painter living in Kent, presented an Icon of Saint Cadoc, especially created for this church, as part of her work exploring the iconography of the Celtic saints. The colours, symbols and images are based on local countryside and legends of the life of St. Cadoc.
The local community, with hard work and dedication, has restored St Cadoc's church over the last seven years to be a magnificent example of a medieval country church and is delighted to add new music and new art as a 21st century contribution to its liturgical life and community purpose .
Jean Prosser
Cofion Cynnes Am Davies will be available on CD later this year.