Musical history of Wales
COME HERE, Home to the Stereophonics, Shirley Bassey, Katherine Jenkins and musical legend Tom (the Voice) Jones, Wales well deserves its affectionate nickname of ‘The Land of Song’. Wales has a unique and colourful musical culture, which takes in everything from bagpipes and harps, to male voice choirs and a wide range of contemporary music styles. Even the pub singing is tuneful here. The modern day smorgasbord of music in Wales stands on the shoulders of 900 years of musical history.
Melodious singing and music making is integral to the Welsh hills and valleys. Long before songs were committed to paper, Wales had a strong oral tradition of music and song.
Medieval writer Geraldus Cambrensis chronicled the omnipresent tunefulness of the Welsh. Journeying through Wales in 1187, he wrote that “their musical instruments charm and delight the ear”. Songs were often based around seasonal events and ceremonial feasting, such as the traditional Boxing day song ‘Hunting the Wren’ and a hearty Candlemas wassail. Traditional instruments included the triple harp, the crwth (a stringed lyre) and a pipe instrument known as a pibgorn. The great and good of the land employed professional poets and singers, known as bards, who were paid handsomely to eulogise about their masters. In 1176, the first ever Eisteddfod was held at Cardigan castle.
Entry to this illustrious competition of poetry and music was initially limited to professional bards only, though later Eisteddfodau threw open their doors to non-professionals too. The ‘Acts of Union’ (1535-1542) annexed Wales to England and decreed that English was henceforward the only language to be used in Wales. This posed a threat to local music culture in terms of singing in the native language, but nothing could stop the Welsh from singing.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, traditional music became associated with bawdiness and low morality. Religious music now rose to prominence, as choral singing of hymns grew in popularity. Writer William Williams wrote compelling hymns, such as ‘Guide me, O Thou Great Redeemer’, which are still popular today. He and other composers built on English folk roots and later incorporated Welsh folk music into their hymns. Welsh choral singing was unique due to its association with both chapels and the competitive arena of the Eisteddfod. In 1895, Dunvant Male Choir was formed, claiming to be the first male voice choir in Wales.
Comprised of a melodic brotherhood of quarrymen, miners and steelworkers, they marked the beginning of a long and proud tradition of Welsh male voice choirs. Choirs as large as 8,000 strong have performed and there are now over 200 male voice choirs in Wales.
As the power of the church began to wane, in the 19th to 21st centuries there came an inevitable rise in the creation of secular music. Composers such as Joseph Parry, David Jenkins and D. Emlyn Evans composed hymns for Victorian musical appetites. These went on to be sung both in churches and chapels and outside of these religious confines too.
As music broadened once more out into the wider community, male voice choirs swelled still further in popularity, working class brass bands began to burgeon and Wales experienced classical and operatic success on an international stage.
Modern-day Wales has retained instruments and influences from its traditional music roots and continued to evolve and diversify its musical identity. One of its biggest stars is the seemingly unstoppable Tom Jones.
He sprung into the national consciousness with his 1965 single ‘It’s not Unusual’, which has now become his signature tune. He has since sold over 100 million records and was knighted in 2006 for his services to the music industry. Nearly 50 years on from launching his music career, he’s still rocking stadiums and making grown women swoon. International stars like Katherine Jenkins and Charlotte Church have kept Wales at the forefront of operatic and classical music. After dropping away in popularity, male voice choirs such as the award-winning Only Men Allowed are now enjoying a resurgence.
Big name bands such as the Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia and Super Furry Animals have also emerged from Wales. Today in Wales, you can still catch the melodies of a triple harp, listen to a pibgorn pipe, enjoy an Eisteddfod and be blown away by the choral singing, enjoying all the traditional music of centuries past. However, with current popular bands like the Lostprophets and Funeral for a Friend, Wales has one musical foot firmly planted in the 21st century too. With great verve and staunch passion, Wales’ musical story is still unfolding.
Melodious singing and music making is integral to the Welsh hills and valleys. Long before songs were committed to paper, Wales had a strong oral tradition of music and song.
Medieval writer Geraldus Cambrensis chronicled the omnipresent tunefulness of the Welsh. Journeying through Wales in 1187, he wrote that “their musical instruments charm and delight the ear”. Songs were often based around seasonal events and ceremonial feasting, such as the traditional Boxing day song ‘Hunting the Wren’ and a hearty Candlemas wassail. Traditional instruments included the triple harp, the crwth (a stringed lyre) and a pipe instrument known as a pibgorn. The great and good of the land employed professional poets and singers, known as bards, who were paid handsomely to eulogise about their masters. In 1176, the first ever Eisteddfod was held at Cardigan castle.
Entry to this illustrious competition of poetry and music was initially limited to professional bards only, though later Eisteddfodau threw open their doors to non-professionals too. The ‘Acts of Union’ (1535-1542) annexed Wales to England and decreed that English was henceforward the only language to be used in Wales. This posed a threat to local music culture in terms of singing in the native language, but nothing could stop the Welsh from singing.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, traditional music became associated with bawdiness and low morality. Religious music now rose to prominence, as choral singing of hymns grew in popularity. Writer William Williams wrote compelling hymns, such as ‘Guide me, O Thou Great Redeemer’, which are still popular today. He and other composers built on English folk roots and later incorporated Welsh folk music into their hymns. Welsh choral singing was unique due to its association with both chapels and the competitive arena of the Eisteddfod. In 1895, Dunvant Male Choir was formed, claiming to be the first male voice choir in Wales.
Comprised of a melodic brotherhood of quarrymen, miners and steelworkers, they marked the beginning of a long and proud tradition of Welsh male voice choirs. Choirs as large as 8,000 strong have performed and there are now over 200 male voice choirs in Wales.
As the power of the church began to wane, in the 19th to 21st centuries there came an inevitable rise in the creation of secular music. Composers such as Joseph Parry, David Jenkins and D. Emlyn Evans composed hymns for Victorian musical appetites. These went on to be sung both in churches and chapels and outside of these religious confines too.
As music broadened once more out into the wider community, male voice choirs swelled still further in popularity, working class brass bands began to burgeon and Wales experienced classical and operatic success on an international stage.
Modern-day Wales has retained instruments and influences from its traditional music roots and continued to evolve and diversify its musical identity. One of its biggest stars is the seemingly unstoppable Tom Jones.
He sprung into the national consciousness with his 1965 single ‘It’s not Unusual’, which has now become his signature tune. He has since sold over 100 million records and was knighted in 2006 for his services to the music industry. Nearly 50 years on from launching his music career, he’s still rocking stadiums and making grown women swoon. International stars like Katherine Jenkins and Charlotte Church have kept Wales at the forefront of operatic and classical music. After dropping away in popularity, male voice choirs such as the award-winning Only Men Allowed are now enjoying a resurgence.
Big name bands such as the Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia and Super Furry Animals have also emerged from Wales. Today in Wales, you can still catch the melodies of a triple harp, listen to a pibgorn pipe, enjoy an Eisteddfod and be blown away by the choral singing, enjoying all the traditional music of centuries past. However, with current popular bands like the Lostprophets and Funeral for a Friend, Wales has one musical foot firmly planted in the 21st century too. With great verve and staunch passion, Wales’ musical story is still unfolding.
