Notes from last night’s performance of ‘Brass and Voices’, St David’s Hall, Cardiff. Wednesday 26 July, 2017
There are a few times in life when you can say you were ‘there’. I was there last night at the Welsh Proms in St David’s Hall, Cardiff to hear the wonderful, trophy-winning Cory Band playing a selection of late 19th and early 20th-century melodies by composers including Verdi, Arnold, Respighi and Tchaikovsky. Accompanying the band was a massed male choir just shy of 200 voices, comprising the Bridgend Male Choir, Cardiff Arms Park Male Choir, Ogmore Valley Male Choirs and Côr Meibion Morlais under the ever-attentive baton of the charismatic Owain Alwel Hughes CBE. In essence, quite a tour de force of Welsh musical tradition gathered in one place.
Now, I don’t know what it is about male voice choirs that brings out an overwhelming set of emotions in me – joy, for sure but it’s true to say that some of the singing just moves me to tears through its sheer well… what? It could be the pride, passion and commitment shown by every member of every choir who sings their heart out, no matter how many times they may have sung the great Welsh hymns. It could be the depth of feeling these singers illicit from the words and music, from the gentle contemplation of Parry’s Myfanwy to the rousing verses of Hartsough’s Gwahoddiad. It could be the sense of time and tradition that’s invoked in every melodic phrase and turn – music that seems as familiar, comforting and as deep-rooted as the communities from which it emanates. It could the real sense of community – these wonderful, spirited men singing with their musical brothers, bringing the audience into their wide and loving family. Men with such a tremendous gift to generously give without any sense of showy performance. Honest, simple, straightforward singing from the heart and the soul, and we are blessed just to see and hear it.
Last night’s singing was even more poignant as we shared in the tribute to Owain Arwel Hughes’ daughter Lisa, who passed away just a month ago with breast cancer. That Hughes was even on the platform conducting the band and choir such a short time after an unimaginably sad family event was remarkable enough in itself. But to hear the dedication to Lisa in the form of Eli Jenkin’s Prayer (Troyte’s Sunset Poem) sung by the massed choir and conducted by Hughes himself was possibly one of the most moving musical experiences I’ve ever had. It was a real privilege to say I was there.
Debbie, Notes from Last Night
About Debbie: A lifelong lover of music of all types, Debbie Nichol is currently studying an MA in Music, focussing on music performance and repertoire, and music reception and social histories. By trade she’s a freelance marketing specialist and when not studying or working, spends time singing with a chamber choir and in a barbershop quartet, and writing a music blog: http://www.notesfromlastnight.co.uk
Notes from Last Night 
I too was there Debbie, with my Band of Brothers, musical brothers that is. The Cory Band, deservedly World Champione, were sublime. For the Choristers, it was a privilege to sing at the ‘Proms’ and entertain you. All four Choirs put in some hard work for this event! It was a great pleasure and privilege again, for Bridgend Male Voice, with whom I sing, to join with Cardiff Arms Park Choir, Ogmore Vale and Morlais Choirs to form the Massed Male Voice. It was an experience never to be forgotten, and to be lead by Owain Ariel Hughes so masterfully, was a treat! Llongfarchiadau Bawb!
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Hi John, thanks for taking the time to comment I’m so pleased that you, as singers, enjoyed the occasion as much as you seemed to. I can honestly say I was moved to tears (in a good way!) several times throughout the evening!
Look forward to seeing you again at a future concert,
Debbie
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