O Fortuna

Music

Rhydian Roberts Returns
Brand New Studio Album: O Fortuna
November 30th, 2009

The biggest selling debut male artist of 2008 is back. Today the classically trained X Factor finalist Rhydian Roberts announces details for his brand new studio album O Fortuna showcases Rhydian as his very own man. He says, “I had a much more free hand with this album. I could spend my career trying to reinvent myself but ultimately this is me as a real singer. This is very much where I envisaged being when I was at music school. I’m made up. It’s brilliant. And long may it continue.”

Produced by Karl Jenkins and Nigel Wright, the album was recorded between July and October of this year. O Fortuna is a natural progression from Rhydian’s debut release and confirms his place as the UK’s leading classical cross over artist. As well as being backed by a Welsh male voice choir, the new album sees him teaming up with classical heavyweight Karl Jenkins, opera superstar Bryn Terfel, harp virtuoso Catrin Finch and the legendary Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Rhydian pays tribute to his welsh heritage with a collection of much loved Welsh favourites such as Land Of My Fathers and Myfanwy, classic hymns like How Great Thou Art, musical favourites Anthem From Chess, pop classics Annie’s Song and The Living Years and the classical anthem O Fortuna (which has been reintroduced to a new audience by the X Factor in recent years). The album also includes a special new track, I Won’t Let You Walk This Road Alone, written for Rhydian by Grammy award winning songwriter/producer Walter Afanasieff.

Rhydian’s rich baritone voice and unique talent first came to the public’s attention in 2007 when he was touted as the bookies favourite to win the X Factor. Not the typical finalist we’ve come to expect from the show, Rhydian really is a unique proposition and immediately caught the public’s imagination with his flamboyant style, passionate performances and versatile classically trained voice.

His debut album ‘Rhydian’, released in November 2008, sold over 500,000 copies making the biggest selling debut male artist of 2008, despite being kept off the top spot by The Killers and the eagerly anticipated returned of Guns N’ Roses. Although Rhydian was the runner up in 2007’s X Factor he went on to comprehensively outsell that year’s winner Leon Jackson.

Tracks

O Fortuna
Benedictus
Myfanwy
Conquest of Paradise
How Great Thou Art
The Living Years
Ave Verum Corpus
Cantilena: Adiemus, Spirit of the Mountains
I Won’t Let You Walk This Road Alone
Anthem
Annie’s Song
Land Of My Fathers

Comments

AMAZING! :D
Can’t wait til monday!
Rhydian you’re incredible :]
And this album is gunna be so successful.
Love you Rhyd and God bless.xx

Posted by Emmaa Jane on 23rd November 2009 at 6:07pm
This album is so much better than the first one!
Bravo, Rhydian, you’ve created timeless piece of art!
Love every single song on it.
Amazing!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Posted by maydalena on 23rd November 2009 at 6:30pm
didnt think i would like this as much as your first album, now im not so sure! amazing Rhyd well done! :D

Posted by Rach4 on 23rd November 2009 at 6:35pm
OOOOMPH!!! O Fortuna rocks! Annie’s Song weakens the knees, Dame Kiri sounds incredible, Bryn on Myfanwy is beautiful, loving the arrganements too. I’ll forgive the couple of tracks that aren’t my bag. This album sounds fabulous. Go Rhydian. Should have known not to assume eh…. xx

Posted by rattie on 23rd November 2009 at 6:56pm
This is just as brilliant as I knew it would be.
OFortuna is epic…I just cant stop playing it.
Good luck and God bless you my dear
Love Fayxxx

Posted by Fay on 23rd November 2009 at 7:18pm
OK - I’m hooked!!! I’m really looking forward to hearing all the tracks in full - and seeing you when you tour
Congratulations Rhydian xx

Posted by sweetcaroline on 23rd November 2009 at 7:22pm
Congratulations Rhydian - this album is just perfect
in every single way…ALL the ingredients for a sure and well deserved huge success….Love it!

Roll on ..roll on ..roll on ....Nov 30th lol

God Bless You Always

Love Barbara X

Posted by Barbara on 23rd November 2009 at 7:23pm
Great to hear some previews at last. Album sounds amazing. Can’t wait for Monday. This totally showcases your voice.

Posted by ANNE100 on 23rd November 2009 at 7:33pm
Wow Rhydian…I’m loving these sample tracks and can’t wait to get the full picture when I pick up my album on Monday….even the ones I didn’t think I would like have converted me!
Powerful, emotional….simply beautiful….and that’s just the voice!
Gilly xx

Posted by gillyflower on 23rd November 2009 at 8:07pm
OMG, Benedictus is majestic, O Fortuna hauntingly powerful, ....all songs are pure magic!
Rhydian, congratulation!

xxx

Posted by maydalena on 23rd November 2009 at 8:45pm