Tonic Jukebox History
WEEK 51 - Wales
The daffodils are out, Spring is round the corner and if one is looking for music there are few better places to visit than Wales. And of course, March 1 is St David's Day, the patron saint of Wales. So off to the Valleys we go. Just don't mention the rugby.
Monday March 1
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers)
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau is the national anthem of Wales. The words were written by Evan James and the tune composed by his son, James James, both residents of Pontypridd, Glamorgan, in January 1856.
A week in Wales would be incomplete without a Male Voice Choir. Here we have the Llanelli Male Voice Choir. Listen out for the magnificent tenor line, albeit sometimes a trifle too enthusiastic when it takes over from the tune.
Performance
Men of Harlech
One choir is simply not enough. Here is the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir.
Performance
And talking about Men of Harlech here's a movie clip from Zulu (1964) featuring the Welsh actor/singer Ivor Emmanuel. He was often billed as The Voice of Wales and was a popular concert performer throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He became known to a wider audience for his cameo role in the film Zulu. I just love the dialogue at the start of this clip:
Stanley Baker “Do you think the Welsh can’t do better than that, Owen?”
Ivor Emmanuel “They’ve got a very good bass section mind, but no top tenors that’s for sure”
Performance
Tuesday March 2
Myfanwy
Myfanwy is a popular Welsh song, composed by Joseph Parry and first published in 1875.
This performance took place at a Voices for Hospices event on 19 October 2013, at the Harrow School Speech Room. The concert was a fund raiser for St Luke's Hospice, Kenton. This clip features 300 mixed ability singers from 7 choirs, including Tonic Choir. Conducting this was a truly wonderful experience for me.
Performance
My Little Welsh Home
This is a popular Welsh song which has been recorded by many including Bryn Terfel. No singing on this recording, just the beautiful sound of a traditional Welsh harp.
Performance
Wednesday March 3
WARNING: Sad theme and images
Cantata Memoria (excerpts)
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, Sir Karl Jenkins composed a major new choral work, Cantata Memoria – For The Children. The disaster took place in 1966 and I am sure many of us can remember following the story. The 2016 concert featured some of Wales’ most celebrated artists including Bryn Terfel, Catrin Finch, Elin Manahan Thomas, David Childs, as well as contributions from Michael Sheen and Siân Phillips. I watched this on TV at the time and it was very moving.
Introduction to Cantata Memoria (1.5 mins)
Lament for the valley (4.5 mins)
Lacrimosa Lullaby (5 mins)
And-A-Half (5 mins)
Thursday March 4
I can give you the starlight
Ivor Novello (1893–1951) was a Welsh composer and actor who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. His musical, The Dancing Years, includes a number of well-known songs including I can give you the starlight. The musical dates from 1939 and there is a 1950 film version.
Performance
Another of his great successes was Glamorous Night (1935). Here is the title song.
Performance
Friday March 5
I am sure you were expecting one or more Knights this week, but perhaps not this one.
Growing up, one of my favourite records was an LP of Sir Geraint Evans.
Sir Geraint Llewellyn Evans (1922–1992) was a popular Welsh bass-baritone noted for operatic roles including Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, and the title role in Wozzeck. Evans was especially acclaimed for his performances in the title role of Verdi's Falstaff. He sang more than 70 different roles in a career that lasted from his first appearance at Covent Garden in 1948 to his farewell there in 1984.
Despite very few recordings on line, I have found a good example of his work for you to enjoy.
Signorina, in tanta fretta ... Via, caro sposino
In this duet from a film of Donizetti's Don Pasquale he is joined by English soprano Lillian Watson. Pasquale has been tricked into marrying a much younger woman and this is where she starts to give him a bad time. Follow this link to Don Pasquale for the full plot.
Performance
Weekend March 6/7
** Another pop spectacular **
Popular 'modern' Welsh singers
Those Were The Days
Mary Hopkin (born 1950) is a Welsh folk singer from Pontardawe, Wales.
Performance
The Prayer
Charlotte Church (born 1986) is a Welsh singer-songwriter, actress, television presenter and political activist from Cardiff, Wales.
Performance
The Green Green Grass of Home
Sir Tom Jones (born 1940) is a Welsh singer born in Treforest, Pontypridd, Glamorgan.
Performance
Monday March 1
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers)
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau is the national anthem of Wales. The words were written by Evan James and the tune composed by his son, James James, both residents of Pontypridd, Glamorgan, in January 1856.
A week in Wales would be incomplete without a Male Voice Choir. Here we have the Llanelli Male Voice Choir. Listen out for the magnificent tenor line, albeit sometimes a trifle too enthusiastic when it takes over from the tune.
Performance
Men of Harlech
One choir is simply not enough. Here is the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir.
Performance
And talking about Men of Harlech here's a movie clip from Zulu (1964) featuring the Welsh actor/singer Ivor Emmanuel. He was often billed as The Voice of Wales and was a popular concert performer throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He became known to a wider audience for his cameo role in the film Zulu. I just love the dialogue at the start of this clip:
Stanley Baker “Do you think the Welsh can’t do better than that, Owen?”
Ivor Emmanuel “They’ve got a very good bass section mind, but no top tenors that’s for sure”
Performance
Tuesday March 2
Myfanwy
Myfanwy is a popular Welsh song, composed by Joseph Parry and first published in 1875.
This performance took place at a Voices for Hospices event on 19 October 2013, at the Harrow School Speech Room. The concert was a fund raiser for St Luke's Hospice, Kenton. This clip features 300 mixed ability singers from 7 choirs, including Tonic Choir. Conducting this was a truly wonderful experience for me.
Performance
My Little Welsh Home
This is a popular Welsh song which has been recorded by many including Bryn Terfel. No singing on this recording, just the beautiful sound of a traditional Welsh harp.
Performance
Wednesday March 3
WARNING: Sad theme and images
Cantata Memoria (excerpts)
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, Sir Karl Jenkins composed a major new choral work, Cantata Memoria – For The Children. The disaster took place in 1966 and I am sure many of us can remember following the story. The 2016 concert featured some of Wales’ most celebrated artists including Bryn Terfel, Catrin Finch, Elin Manahan Thomas, David Childs, as well as contributions from Michael Sheen and Siân Phillips. I watched this on TV at the time and it was very moving.
Introduction to Cantata Memoria (1.5 mins)
Lament for the valley (4.5 mins)
Lacrimosa Lullaby (5 mins)
And-A-Half (5 mins)
Thursday March 4
I can give you the starlight
Ivor Novello (1893–1951) was a Welsh composer and actor who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. His musical, The Dancing Years, includes a number of well-known songs including I can give you the starlight. The musical dates from 1939 and there is a 1950 film version.
Performance
Another of his great successes was Glamorous Night (1935). Here is the title song.
Performance
Friday March 5
I am sure you were expecting one or more Knights this week, but perhaps not this one.
Growing up, one of my favourite records was an LP of Sir Geraint Evans.
Sir Geraint Llewellyn Evans (1922–1992) was a popular Welsh bass-baritone noted for operatic roles including Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, and the title role in Wozzeck. Evans was especially acclaimed for his performances in the title role of Verdi's Falstaff. He sang more than 70 different roles in a career that lasted from his first appearance at Covent Garden in 1948 to his farewell there in 1984.
Despite very few recordings on line, I have found a good example of his work for you to enjoy.
Signorina, in tanta fretta ... Via, caro sposino
In this duet from a film of Donizetti's Don Pasquale he is joined by English soprano Lillian Watson. Pasquale has been tricked into marrying a much younger woman and this is where she starts to give him a bad time. Follow this link to Don Pasquale for the full plot.
Performance
Weekend March 6/7
** Another pop spectacular **
Popular 'modern' Welsh singers
Those Were The Days
Mary Hopkin (born 1950) is a Welsh folk singer from Pontardawe, Wales.
Performance
The Prayer
Charlotte Church (born 1986) is a Welsh singer-songwriter, actress, television presenter and political activist from Cardiff, Wales.
Performance
The Green Green Grass of Home
Sir Tom Jones (born 1940) is a Welsh singer born in Treforest, Pontypridd, Glamorgan.
Performance