Music

O Fortuna

O Fortuna

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

  1. O Fortuna
  2. Benedictus
  3. Myfanwy
  4. Conquest of Paradise
  5. How Great Thou Art
  6. The Living Years
  7. Ave Verum Corpus
  8. Cantilena: Adiemus, Spirit of the Mountains
  9. I Won’t Let You Walk This Road Alone
  10. Anthem
  11. Annie’s Song
  12. Land Of My Fathers

Comments

  •  

    I never doubted for 1 minute your great voice and uniqueness. BUT this album is simply OUT OF THIS WORLD. You’ve done it again Rhydian.How do you manage it. This album is MINDBLOWING and will blow the first album to pieces.[I love the first album]
    NO WAY will this be double platinum, it will be DOUBLE, DOUBLE PLATINUM!! [at least]
    congratulations to our SUPERSTAR RHYDIAN
      love and best wishes
        Deb xx

    Posted by welshdebs on 23rd November 2009 at 10:03pm

  •  

    Fantastic song choices, beautifully sung, this Album is far exceeding all expectations, we’re all so proud of you Rhydian and I’m sure will be a WINNER !!!
    Can’t wait to see you in Cardiff and get my lovely CD !!Lots of love from Arty XXX

    Posted by Arty on 23rd November 2009 at 11:58pm

  •  

    Bravo!!!

    I wasn’t convinced when I first heard the tracklist but I am now!  :-D

    Posted by megs on 24th November 2009 at 9:58am

  •  

    wow, its certainly different! it grows on me each time i listen to it. AMAZING. can’t wait until i get the full version. Hope it gets great successes for you Rhyd! grin

    Posted by angel0071987 on 24th November 2009 at 12:23pm

  •  

    This is truly a lovely collection of tracks and I for one have been waiting to hear Rhydian’s voice put to them and I’m NOT disappointed.Looking forward to getting my CD signed on the 30th November at HMV Cardiff,all the best Rhydian on a very successful album .

    Much Love Tracy xx

    Posted by TRACY SMITH on 24th November 2009 at 3:44pm

  •  

    WOW! I love Annie’s Song and O Fortuna already grin Can’t wait for the CD to reach the shores of Germany - hope it won’t take too long for Amazon to send it out after it’s released *lol* Fingers crossed this will be a huge success

    Posted by Callie on 24th November 2009 at 4:54pm

  •  

    OMG O fortuna is INCREDIBLE; the definition of EPIC
    Rhydian, you are amazing; I can’t wait for monday ! It’s been too long, far too long since I heard something as beautiful as your voice, sir.

    Posted by ThatWylieGirl on 24th November 2009 at 5:32pm

  •  

    Wow, brilliant love Benedictus this album is
    amazing counting the days until the mailman
    arrives. Rhydian this is pure magic,Good Luck on Monday.

    Posted by marr on 26th November 2009 at 11:04pm

  •  

    Brilliant can’t wait for my copy to arrive love all the songs hope you’ll be visiting North Wales again soon!

    Posted by tina on 27th November 2009 at 7:50pm

  •  

    Always knew you’d deliver the goods Rhyd - this is a most amazing album.!!  Pob Bendith xx

    Posted by nonna on 27th November 2009 at 8:34pm

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