Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

"TIPYN (I BOB PBTlf." 1 Lord Howard de Walcfen's Criticism. j Some notable remarks made recently by Lord Howard de Walden that have appeared in the Press, are both interesting and sug- gestive at the present time, and should be taken to heart throughout Wales in general and, may it be added, at Llangollen in par- ticular. Music in Wales," says h:5 lord- ship, has been kept alive entirely by the people. They have done all they can for music, and have carried it as far as t.^y can with the instruments God has given them. Where the leisured and cultured class should have helped to foster it, nothing has been done." This is a matter frequently com- mented upon in this column; and it has often been one of surprise to the writer that some determined effort at orchestral organ- ization has not been attempted in the Dee Valley; I mean, of course, organization on a. large and liberal scale. There has been little difficulty in the past—although, even in this direction, there appears to be something akin to marking time at the present-in mobilising vocalists to form excellent choirs but, when the services of a. first-class orchestra are de- sired, it is invariably necessary to largely re- cruit their strength from other than Welsh sources. This should not be; especially as there is any amount of proof available that the locality possesses an abundance of musical ability that would find the line of least re- sistance to public expression in the services of a well-trained orchestra, recruited entirely from local talent. Lord-Howard de Walcle undoubtedly places his finger on a weak spot in the equipment of the most musical part- ner and from all standpoints he is well qualified to be a pioneer in the field of reform. His wail from the splendid isolation of Chirk Cattle may prove a prelude to more harmoni- ous Wales! « Neglected Opportunities. Those who have had the privilege of attend- ing Welsli eisteddfodic meetings, must have been impressed by the altogether inadequate prominence that is given to instrumental music. Some attention, of course, is paid I to it and competitions, of sorts, appear on the programmes, but they do little more than emphasise the importance of that which is altogether neglected. It is the same with painting, sculpture and architecture; they are only dealt with in a very amateurish fash- ion. Sops are thrown to them; and, oft times, very paltry sops at that! As a matter of fact the idea appears to be deep-rooted in the minds of the eisteddfod authorities that vocalization and certain styles of poetical expression, are the be-all and the end-all of modern culture. Perhaps the first-fruits of the newly-formed Denbighshire County Eisteddfod may be of the type that leads to, the breaking of-new grouii(I i-ii hitherto little- explored directions. The writer understands that much of the musical inspiration of the new movement will proceed from Llangollen— there is no richer source in the county upon which to draw a, nd Mr. W. P. Williams might do good service by impressing upon his committee the desirability of broadening the scope of the festival. Of course, apart from what eisteddfod authorities may do, what Lord Howard do Walden terms the leisured and cultured class "—people with plenty of brains in their heads, time on their hands, and money in their pockets, of whom he is so admirable a tvpe-have splendid opportunities open to them, an^ it is heartening to find that so capable a critic indicating appreci- ation of the national deficiency. Si Something: Attempted. However much one may be disposed to re- gret neglected opportunities of the past, it is altogether unjust and completely unfair to ignore what is being done in Wales to-day by the cultured if not precisely the "leisured" classes, with a view to develop- ing native talent. Lord Howard de Walden follow's too closely the activities of his own countrymen to have overlooked the splendid departure, pregnant with such great possi- bilities for good, that has ben made in the appointment of Dr. Walford Davies to the Chair of Music established at the University College, Aberystwith, and his choice as Master of Music for the whole of Wales, following upon a due recognition of the necessity to stimulate musical education in the Princip- ality. Incalculable benefits may follow in the train of these departures. Nor would it be fair to ignore much that is being done, in relatively smaller ways, to polish some one or other of the neglected facets of musical gems discovered, at times, in most unexpect- ed quarters. Some few years back, very ex- cellent work was done by a small orchestral combination, drawn together from various parte of the Dee Valley by a Llantysilio en- thusiast, that met regularly for practice, at Llangollen. If it accomplished nothing more undoubtedly it demonstrated the existence of musical talent that would well repay care- ful training and what is true of the Dee Valley, is true of numberless other valleys throughout Wales. The means and leisure to organize and encourage sustained effort up to a high standard are necessary however; and, with the hour let us hope the man may be forthcoming. tit Gwilym Ceirioff. The death of "Gwilym Ceiriog" removes a singularly in teresting figure from bardic circles; and, only a few weeks prior to his death, the writer commented these columns, regarding the particular style of Welsh met- rical composition that William Roberts had made his owl', the use of which assisted him in securing his long series of eisteddfodic suc- cesses. Gwilvin belonged to the old school of bards. His triumph at Carmarthen created a sensation in Welsh literary circles, the prize which he carried off having been won during many previous years by men with academic qualifications. Mr. Roberts spent most of his life as a farm servant, and as a boy received only a few months' education at a National school. He received a great ova- tion as he was escorted by Elfed (the Rev. Elv £ t Lewis) and "Crv^s" (the Rev. W. Crwys Willia.ms) to:bechalredaccording to the ancient custom. It is interesting to no that he was born in the (jlyn Valley withiu a stone's throw of the birth-places of the immortal | Ceiriog and Huw Morris. Gwilym Ceiriog provided an example of what Wales may have lost in the past owing to defective opportun- ities of training. Undoubtedly he possessed R.Wus, ftnd ihaife M a very high order, and f had the necessary, polishing opportunities been presented in youth, he might have proved a cultured gem of purest ray serene in the re- galia of song. Gwilym Ceiriog as the writer happens to know, fought against diffi- culties all his life. Possessing what Milton terms "that one talent which 'twere death to hide," he struggled against obstacles per- haps more difficult to. surmount than those which the blind genius encountered. That he accomplished so much, despite the diffi- culties of the i way, is fine testimony to his abounding merit; and indicates what he might have achieved had the way been broad and straight. The moral of the story of his life, points to the importance of providing oppor- tunities of culture for Welsh genius; and, fortunately modern developments are increas- ingly- hopefi-il in this direction. HWFA GLYN. I