With immaculate timing and precision, the fifty singers demonstrated beautiful diction and vowel sounds producing the unique Welsh male voice choir sound. At times the singing was so gentle that it was almost inaudible and then suddenly rising to a m
ighty jubilant sound.
Formed in 1947, it is one of the newer and smaller choirs in the Welsh tradition but it has certainly established its place among the top choirs.
Their musical director Ann Atkinson added to her immense contribution by doubling as the mezzo soprano soloist. Her great talent as a singer and performer as well as conductor was illustrated with her versions of the Love Song from Bizet's Carmen and David of the White Rock.
There were many highlights in this packed concert from a rousing When the saints go marching in to a hauntingly-beautiful interpretation of the battle Hymn of the Republic.
Worthy of particular praise was the unprogrammed choice by the audience of Joseph Parry's immortal Welsh tear-jerker Myfanwy which was sung with deep pathos and received with prolonged applause.
Graham Hewitt
