Wind Quintet 2 - Archaeologies: Wild Wales (myths & legends)

Flute, oboe or cor anglais, clarinet, horn and bassoon
8 minutes
First performed May 1999 at the Norwegian Church, Cardiff by the Vale Wind Quintet.

Snorri's Pool

Double bass and piano
2005
11 minutes
Commissioned by Myles Pepper for West Wales Arts/Artsweave. First performed 22/10/05 at St. David's Cathedral, Pembrokeshire by Lowri Morgan.

Fol-de-Riddles

4 violins or 2 violins, viola, cello and bass
4 minutes
Commissioned by the first Red Violin Festival. First performed 1997 at National Museum Cardiff by the Madeleine Mitchell ensemble. 

A driving and dramatic piece for 4 violins, commissioned by the first Red Violin Festival for the grand opening ceremony at the marble and granite National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, and repeated a few days later at St David’s Hall, Cardiff.

Fol-de-Riddles was first performed by the Madeleine Mitchell ensemble and broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in 1998.

An arrangement for two violins, viola, cello and double bass has been made by the composer.

“Pride of place went to the premiere of a [Red Violin] Festival commission, Fol de Riddles, a fanfare for four violins by Wales-based composer John Hardy… [in] this brief, striking work… the opening section set the first violinist against the others in dramatic, declamatory fashion; the second section, fast and exciting, involved all four in a riveting ensemble.”
Robin Stowell, The Strad, October 1998