A distinguished Welsh harpist has confirmed the international premiere of a piece of music dedicated to the drowning of Capel Celyn in the 1965.

Capal Celyn, once located in the Tryweryn Valley above Bala, was flooded to create a reservoir to provide water for the city of Liverpool and the Wirral. Harpist Sioned Williams, who has toured the world as a soloist for almost 20 years, hosted programmes on BBC Radio Four, and is stepping down from the BBC Symphony Orchestra after nearly 30 years in the role, has said that the concert will be a highly emotional occasion for her.

She recalled: “I remember sitting on the banks of Llyn Celyn as a young girl with Taid and I felt a huge sense of sadness which remains with me to this day. I have visited there many times since and reflected on the catastrophic events which should never have happened.”

The protest campaign that took place against the decision were, in fact, led by Ms Williams' grandfather, Huw T Edwards.

Though ultimately unsuccessful, the mass protests have been said to be a touchstone political moment and have been credited with sparking a rebirth of Welsh nationalism.

Huw T Edwards was an influential trade union leader during the 1960s, standing as Transport and General Workers’ Union in North Wales before being elected chairman of the Save Tryweryn campaign, something of which Sioned Williams is extremely proud.

Ms Williams will be playing the piece composed by Michael Stimpson, titled “The Drowning of Capel Celyn”, at the Wales International Harp Festival in Caernarfon on April 2. More than 100 harpists from countries as far afield as Japan, America, Russia and Thailand will be coming to the festival.

Ms Williams said: “The Michael Stimpson composition is such an amazing and beautiful work and really does just justice to how people felt, the utter devastation as water rushed into the valley drowning the chapel, the post office, Quaker meeting house and cottages.

“I hope people will have a chance to reflect once more as they listen to what is a haunting and beautiful piece of work.”

For more details about the Wales International Harp Festival, April 1-7, please visit www.walesharpfestival.co.uk