Côr Meibion Ystradgynlais
4
A tribute to Daniel Protheroe
In August 1954 the choir - conducted by Mr Emlyn Morgan - sang at the unveiling of a special memorial plaque at the birthplace of Dr Daniel Protheroe, Rhestr Fawr, Ystradgynlais.
(For the history of this part of old Ystradgynlais see the pages on Gough buildings)
the unveiling
Ystradgynlais Male Voice Choir can rarely have been in finer form than on Saturday last at a concert, held in the Welfare Hall, to celebrate the centenary of the village's most famous musical son, Dr. Daniel Protheroe. The choir, under the able baton of Mr. Emlyn Morgan, with Madam Myra Jones-Davies as accompanist, gave a concert of music composed or arranged by Dr. Protheroe.
Significantly, the venue was barely a stone's throw away from the terraced cottage where Dr. Protheroe was born 100 years ago. On the house in Gough Buildings is an inscribed plaque which so ably sums up his life: "Cerddor, Eisteddfodwr, Gwladgarwr ".
Introducing the event was County Councillor John Hughes, of Abercrave, and the president was Mrs S. Protheroe Davies, a great niece of Dr. Protheroe.
The variety in Dr. Protheroe's works
gave the choir an opportunity to display rare versatility and
they performed faultlessly. Especially moving was "the Everlasting
God" to the words of "O God our help in ages past"
and "The Sea Gulls".
These two pieces, unearthed in America reached the choir six
weeks ago and were performed in this country for the first time.
Supporting the choir was talented Gerwyn Morgan, of Abercrave,
one of the principal bass soloists with the Sadlers Wells Opera
Company, and Jean Evans, of Pontardulais, International and National
Eisteddfod soprano winner.
Both performed creditably and the packed audience responded vigorously
to Gerwyn Morgan's rendering of "What is there in the
heart of a rose" and "Y Seren Dydd".
Singing with rare delicacy Jean Evans impressed in "Ah!
Love buy a Day" and "The Night is Still".
"Nidaros" was a superb climax to an evening's music
that will long be remembered in Ystradgylais.
There are 9 pages on Côr Meibion Ystradgynlais. Use the box links below to view the other pages.
