Evening star., 1952-06-22
News of Music:
Welsh Clubs Convention
ToSuppIyNotive Harmony
Song Festival Is Traditional Practice
For Race Thot Inspired Ancient Hymns
News of Music:
By Alice Eversmon

Oy Vu$C
A musical advantage which this
country has in abundance is the
variety of folk heritage brought
from other countries. Cherished
by descendants of first settlers. it
is at hand for incorporation in
American music. Such music would
represent, in truth, the amalgama-
ton Of various facets of culture
into the national life such as has
been supplied by the different
characteristics of people. For the
music Of each land stems from the
hearts Of its citizens and is colored
by their trials and joys.
From time to time. opportunities
to become acquainted with this rich
store Of material are offered. One
Of these occurs this week when the
Women's Welsh Clubs of America
meet in the 35th annual conven-
ton. Coming to Washington for
the first time. the convention will
be held in the Mayf1ower Hotel be-
ginning tomorrow. On Tuesday at
8:15 pm, Welsh music will be
heard at the song festival called
Cymanfa Ganu. The concert will
be presented under the auspices of
the Washington chapter. Frances
Williams. member of the Ameri-
can Society of Composers, Authors
and Publishers, a former fellow
ship student at Juilliard Graduate
School, and well known for her
choral compositions, will be the
conductor.
This assembly for singing" as
the name Is translated, is a tradi-
tional practice of the Welsh peo-
pie. The fame Of Welsh singers
is widespread and many have
adorned the concert and opera
stage. In the Cymanfa Ganu,
however, with its strictly religious
meaning, they will be heard in
the music that is dearest to them
as a people. Hymn singing by
the audience. as well as Welsh
songs sung by Janet Bosler, soloist,
In authentic Welsh dress, are on
the program together with num-
bers by the Gwalia Choral Group,
Helen L. Edwards, director. Rep
resentative Edward H. Rees, Re-
publican. Of Kansas will be the
chairman.
Hymns Are Traditional
No other nation, perhaps, has
Its hymns so closely woven into
the pattern Of life. For centuries
they have given the Welsh spirit
ual SuStenance and at the same
time have provided an artistic out
let. Long before the hymns of Wales
became a part of a religious serv-
ice they were created and sung
by members Of all classes, as in
spiration came to them. Many
were written by laborers or farm
ers who had no pretense to knowl-
edge OF music, but who turned
inStinctively to this means Of ex-
pressing an emotional experience.
Others came from the pen of
such gifted 18th century hymn
lists as Anne Griffiths and Evan
Evans. The hymns are truly the
outpourings Of full hearts, and
because Of the inherent strength
and beauty derived from such a
source, the religious sentiment ex-
pressed is deep and powerful.
The hymns are sung in four
parts yet there is always a meas
ure OF improvisation in the per-
formance. Since many Of the more
ancient Of these were passed down
from generation to generation
without benefit of musical nota-
ton, embellishments from the
personal ideas Of an individual
may be heard. The ability to sing
IN four part harmony is also 8
Welsh heritage. It can be traced
to early times when singers were
called upon for feats of musician
ship in competitions. Quick think
Ing and talent were required to
follow strict rules such as adapt
ing the words to a harpist's mel
ody after the melody had begun or
after taking up the theme on any
beat except the first.
The scientific music of Wales
Is Of great antiquity. It revolved
around the harpists and bards
OF the early days. So important
was the position Of these musi-
clans that people came long dis
tances to attend the contests and
the rulers of the country made a
point Of encouraging musical ac-
tivity. The honors were greatly
coveted. Even in the 9Th century
when the first Eisteddfod was
held, music had become a signifi-
cant art In Wales. Except for a
period Of 130 years, these famous
contests took place annually with