Music in Twentieth Century Wales Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Music in Twentieth Century Wales - Essay Example Through education and the support of patrons, Welsh music has set into a vigorous motion that encompasses other musical horizons that has led to a significant transformation of music that is performed in Wales.2 This has included instrumental music, chamber music plus symphonic output music.3 The creation of ensembles at Welsh universities and the establishment of a national orchestra coupled with the British Broadcasting Corporation national Orchestra of Wales has given rise to an unrivalled interest in instrumental music either orchestral or chamber. Composers of the twentieth century have also added an impetus towards the interaction of Welsh classical music and music from other parts of the world. Prominent artists to have come from Wales include Mansen Thomas, Daniel Jones, Alun Hoddinott and others form the current crop of musicians. Wales has a different kind of music as compared to music from other parts of the world, that has given it the title â€Å"the land of song† , and the music is normally associated with deep male voice exemplified in bands and choirs such as the Treorchy Male Voice Choir. In the twentieth century, an upsurge of national and international acts such as the Manic Street Preachers that sang a new crop of music quite distinct from the usual Welsh tunes. The Welsh songs in the twentieth century and beyond have been characterized by narratives done in dramatic fashion, contrasts and climaxes that may be thrilling in nature. These are performed by bands composed of people who appreciate brass bands and their percussive effect. In the twentieth century, the importance of music and its performance in the Welsh society especially in the education sector has been emphasized through different media and performances. Different researchers have shown that the music is developed with a deep focus on festivals, brass bands, choirs composed of males and emergence of mixed choirs. Other modes include the development of music competitions co vering Welsh music and their performance at all stages in the society. At the beginning of the twentieth century and beyond, Wales has seen an upsurge music groups playing rock and pop through groupings, ensembles, bands or individuals.4 Individuals include such persons as Dave Edmunds, Shakin Stevens and Shirley Bassey who have revolutionized the music society in Wales. Groups of singers include john cale of the Velvet Underground while popular bands in Wales include the Amen Corner, The Alarm and many other groups. The Welsh National Eisteddfod5 is a major festival that provides an opportunity for the Welsh to celebrate their culture especially their music. It is normally held every year and in different venues and every or most members of the Welsh community gather to watch harpists and bards perform songs whereby the singers are accompanied by harps and the performance is competitive.6 In Wales, most of the choirs are male dominated that have been known to belt good tunes around the world. One of the best-known male choir bands of the twentieth century that has promoted the virtue of Welsh music is the Treorchy and the Morriston Orpheus male voice choirs that have toured the whole world with great performances. Recently, other choirs have come up and grown popular, for example the