Eric Jones receives applause from Côr Crymych and the audience
Cymdeithas Waldo has achieved several pinnacles since its inception in 2011. Perhaps the grandest of all has been the commission given to composer Eric Jones to set the poem ‘Preseli’ to music. The fruits of his efforts were heard at Pisga Chapel, Llandysilio, on Friday, May 10 when Côr Cymysg Crymych gave voice to his composition.
The composer from Hendy, near Llanelli, had already shown his musical prowess when adapting another of Waldo’s poems ‘Y Tangnefeddwyr’ (The Peacemakers) that has long become part of the repertoire of most choirs. And the word heard on most people’s lips following the first rendition was ‘special’ though it will have to be heard again and again to be fully appreciated. But it certainly pleased the audience. It can be heard on the above recording after about five minutes.
As part of the grand concert Parti’r Gromlech also sang cerdd dant versions of a few of the poems composed by the poet, who was raised in the village, such as ‘Yr Iaith a Garaf’ a ‘Detholiad o Englynion Y Daten’, as well as other songs, under the baton of Eleri Roberts and the accompaniment of Marian O’Toole on the harp. Local boy Siôn Jenkins gave spoken renditions of the poem ‘Preseli’ as well as a translated version by Menna Elfyn, and a few of his own poems.
Siôn’s rendition of ‘Preseli’ can be heard immediately after the choir’s musical interpretation followed by Parti’r Gromlech and then further offerings by Siôn followed again by the cerdd dant party.
A bonus was the presence of the tenor, Elis Jones, and the bariton, Siôn Eilir Roberts from Rhuthun. Elis is a country surveyor by profession and Siôn an auctioneer though both have made their mark on a national level. They sang four items to the accompaniment of Eirian Owen towards the end of the concert. A fitting finale was the rendition of ‘Y Tangnefeddwyr’ by the choir led by Wendy Henderson to the accompaniment of Elin Ennis and sung with gusto.
It was noted in the well produced programme that Cymdeithas Waldo aligns itself with the deep seated wish of the poet, the pacifist and the Quaker for all wars to be banished as he believed that “God’s mysterious network, bonded every living been”.
As it is 120 years since Waldo’r birth it is fitting that many events are to be held throughout the year. The highlight will be the Annual Lecture to be deliverd by Menna Elfyn on Friday, September 27 on the University campus Aberystwyth. The title of her lecture will be ‘Waldo: Bardd y Lleiafrif Aneirif’ (Waldo: Poet of Multitude Minorities).
A special Talwrn y Beirdd recorded at Bwlch-y-groes was broadcast on Radio Cymru (see another thread) and the hymnsinging television programme ‘Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol’ on S4C will televise a ‘Cymanfa Cofio Waldo’, recorded at Bethel Chapel, Mynachlog-ddu presented by Nia Roberts. The first programme will be seen at the end of September and the second sometime in December.
The audience on the gallery at Pisga Chapel were also appreciative.