Gerard Cousins

Gerard Cousins is a Welsh guitarist, composer and arranger.

Biography

Gerard Cousins was born in Brecon and studied music at the University of Leeds and ARTEZ Conservatorium (Netherlands) where his principal composition teachers were Philip Wilby and David Rowland. He studied the guitar with Jeremy Herbert, Graham Wade and Louis Ignatius Gall.

Following the tradition of the performer/composer, Gerard Cousins has recorded and performed much of his own music. He has expanded the guitar repertoire with his own arrangements of traditional Welsh music and often works with contemporary composers arranging and recording their music for guitar. Most notably with Philip Glass and Eric Whitacre.

Radio France dedicated a show to Cousins' recordings of minimalist guitar music featuring his Philip Glass recordings and his own compositions.

Adam Walton dedicated an hour long show on BBC Wales to Cousins' music in 2015.

Discography

Escape - Philip Glass

Track list:

Opening - Philip Glass* Metamorphosis 1 - Philip Glass* Escape - Philip Glass* Metamorphosis 3 - Philip Glass* Metamorphosis 5 - Philip Glass* Knee Play Two - Philip Glass* Truman Sleeps - Philip Glass*

Arranged for the guitar by Gerard Cousins

Lullabies - The Music of Eric Whitacre

Track list:

Goodnight Moon - Eric Whitacre* Sing Gently - Eric Whitacre* The Seal Lullaby - Eric Whitacre* This Marriage - Eric Whitacre*

Arranged for the guitar by Gerard Cousins

Una Leyenda

Track list:

Sonatina - Federico Moreno Torroba Una Leyenda - Pedro Sanjuan Tiento Antiguo - Joaquin Rodrigo Capricho Arabe - Francisco Tarrega Un Tiempo fue Italica Famosa - Joaquin Rodrigo El testament d'Amelia - Miguel Llobet Canco de Lladre - Miguel Llobet El noi de la Mare - Miguel Llobet Sonata - Antonio Jose Romance de los Pinos - Federico Moreno Torroba

A Gift

Track list:

Wind Color Vector - Takashi Yoshimatsu Canticle (from Around the Round Ground) - Takashi Yoshimatsu Elystan - Gerard Cousins Viaje a la Semilla - Leo Brouwer July 18 - Gerard Cousins A Gift - Robert Jacob Chant - John Tavener Hika in Memorium Toru Takemitsu - Leo Brouwer Tune for Toru - Mark-Anthony Turnage arr. Gerard Cousins

Hiraeth - Celtic Guitar Music from Wales

Track list:

Tros y Garreg (Crossing the Stone) - Trad.* Gwahoddiad (Arglwydd Dyma Fi) - Trad.* Fantasia on Ar Lan Y Mor - Trad.* Dafydd y Garreg Wen (David of the White Rock) - Trad.* Hiraeth - Grace Williams* (1906-1977) Amanda's Delight (from 2 pieces for guitar) - Robert Smith A Short Verse for Edward Thornburgh - Thomas Tomkins* (1572- 1656) A Sad Pavan Forbidding Mourning - Hilary Tann (b. 1947) Olwyn Ddwr (Water Wheel) - Gareth Glyn* (b. 1951) Crossing Water Alone - Simon Thorne* (b. 1954) Teifi's Dream (Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau) - Trad.*

Arranged for the guitar by Gerard Cousins

The First Beat is the Last Sound

Track list:

Assyrian Game - Gerard Cousins Ripening Prelude - Gerard Cousins Lisa Lan - Gerard Cousins Suo Gan (Variations and Toccata on a Welsh Lullaby) - Gerard Cousins In the Grip part 1 (homage to Philip Glass) - Gerard Cousins White Cloud Blue Sky (homage to John McLaughlin) - Gerard Cousins Cantus Tintinnabulous (homage to Arvo Part) - Gerard Cousins In the Grip part 2 - Gerard Cousins The Sound of One Hand Clapping (homage to Steve Reich) - Gerard Cousins Minimi (for 2 guitars) - Gerard Cousins This Marriage - Eric Whitacre (arranged by Gerard Cousins)

Podcasts Gerard Cousins has been interviewed on "The Next Track" and "Guitaronamie" podcasts.