Gems 1
1. Willy Richter's composition - "The Creation" - arranged for Male Voice Choirs
As we are now rehearsing Richter's Creation this snippet from the Cor Meibion Colwyn Bay website http://www.cormeibioncolwyn.com/ may amuse. Courtesy of Charles Cooksley (member LWMVC 1970-74)
On the night of the concert, Rhyl and the surrounding area experienced the worst thunder storm in years. While Côr Meibion Colwyn were singing the line "...when darkness fell on the earth..." (from Willy Richter's "The Creation"), an enormous lightning strike hit the area and all the lights went out. The safety curtain dropped in front of the stage, but the choir, determined to soldier on, continued singing in complete darkness to a capacity audience while the stage staff held torches for the Musical Director and Accompanist. The concert was a resounding success despite the weather.
The music for "The Creation" was written by Willy Richter (1896-1969) and is increasingly sung by Male Voice Choirs throughout Britain. It is based on the words of Genesis Book 1, verses 1-3. Willy Richter Born: Jan 1, 1896, in Frankfort-on-Main, Germany Deceased: Nov. 8, 1969 Began study of piano at age of 10. After academic education in High School including the study of French, English, Latin and Greek, entered the Frankfort Conservatory of Music. Trained especially for opera and oratorio conducting and was a graduate of the master class of composition. From 1919-1922 was conductor of two choral societies, three male choruses and two ladies choruses. Also taught piano and organ and participated in chamber music concerts. In May, 1922, was chosen conductor of mass chorus of 1800 men in Frankfort. In 1923 migrated to America. Appeared as concert pianist, held a position as organist and organized the Reading Conservatory of Music, giving Chamber Music concerts for seven consecutive years. Conducted numerous male choruses, ladies' choruses and mixed choruses, including the Harrisburg Mozart Festival Chorus and organized and conducted the Reading, PA Music Festival Chorus of 1000 voices with 110 piece orchestra.
2. The Welsh National Anthem :
Did you know that it was originally called Glan Rhondda and in London on 11 March 1899, the first record in the Welsh language was made, when Madge Breese sang Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau for the Gramophone Company. The recording, made on a wax cylinder, lasts for 1 minute and 17 seconds. Check out this recording on the National Library of Wales link below
http://www.llgc.org.uk/drych/drych_s044.htm
3. Close Thine Eyes
I may end up in the Tower for this but the words of the Song ‘Close Thine Eyes’ which we sing in the Festival of Male Choirs 2004 are attributed to King Charles I. The music was written by Ieuan Rees-Davies (1893-1967) I can’t find much about him except he is the author of several books on music theory and ‘Caniadau Cwm Rhondda’ presumably a book about the songs of the Rhondda valley Charles I (1600-1649)
Upon a Quiet Conscience
Close thine eyes and sleep secure, Thy soul is safe, thy body sure;
He that guards thee, he that keeps,Never slumbers, never sleeps.
A quiet conscience, in a quiet breast,Has only peace, has only rest:
The music and the mirth of kings Are out of tune, unless she sings.
Then close thine eyes in peace, and rest secure,
No sleep so sweet as thine, no rest so sure
But compare it with this
Francis Quarles (1592-1644) From Divine Fancies, 1632
A Good Night
Close now thine eyes and rest secure Thy soul is safe enough, thy body sure
He that loves thee, He that keeps And guards thee, never slumbers, never sleeps
The smiling conscience in a sleeping breast Has only peace, has only rest
The music and the mirth of kings Are all but very discords, when she sings
Then close thine eyes and rest secure
No sleep so sweet as thine, no rest so sure The question was asked ‘Who is she that sings’? It seems that 'she' refers to a personification of conscience. The singing of a happy conscience is compared to the music to which kings make merry, and is said to make the latter seem almost discordant by comparison. In other words, if your conscience is clear, you can sleep through ANYTHING.
4. In Nomine Jesu Jacobus Handl
We are now rehearsing In Nomine Jesu by Jacobus Handl ( not to be confused with Handel)A composer of Slovenian birth, Jacobus Handl, known as Gallus, spent most of his professional life in the service of the Catholic Church in Austria. The ambiguity in his name may be due to his translating the original name Petelin (meaning rooster) into the German diminutive Handl and the Latin equivalent Gallus at different times in his life. He worked as Kantor for several courts and churches in Austria and Bohemia until his untimely death. If you want to find out a lot more about this composer check out the web site below
http://www.niagara.com/~jezovnik/slovenian_music.htm
5. Vaughan Willams and Dorking
We had a very successful concert a Dorking Halls on 11th December 2004. Outside is a statue of Ralph Vaughan Williams and for those who were unclear about the link he was the original conductor of the Leith Hill music Festival in Dorking first held in 1905 and held annually in the Dorking Halls ever since. We were treading some famous boards. Check out the link regarding Vaughan Williams and the Leith Hill Music Festival http://www.rvwsociety.com/dorking.html
