St. David's Cathedral was the setting for the latest annual 'Summer Concert' sponsored by Texaco on a Saturday night in mid August. With the National Shrine overflowing with music lovers - quite a number only able to hear the South Wales Male Choir and supporting guest artistes from outside - all were treated with what can only be described as a stunning performance.
The choir, which first staged the event back in 1987, brought over 100 choristers from all over South Wales plus a few 'exiled' members from over the River Severn, yet produced a choral sound of such dynamic range that more singers could have been wasted.
Director of music, Dr. Haydn James, and his music team has clearly moulded the men into a choir of even greater stature than before. Their choice of supporting artistes was of equal quality.
Mezzo soprano Susanna Tudor-Thomas, appearing for the second successive year (the only soloist in 15 years ever to have achieved that honour) cajoled, teased and delighted the audience with a mixture of classical and popular songs, obviously greatly enjoying the backing of the men in James' own arrangements of 'You'll never Walk Alone', and 'Y Nefoedd'. Spontaneous choral accompaniment in Novello's 'We'll Gather Lilacs' proved equally popular.
The sound of a Marimba, a South African wooden-keyed percussion instrument, is special to say the least. When played with four soft 'hammers' by the 2001 Texaco Young Musician of Wales 15-year-old Sarah Cresswell in the acoustic treasure of St. David's Cathedral, the effect is hypnotic.
With composure that belies her age, this young Llanishen school girl totally captivated every single soul in the cathedral with a performance that appeared to draw gasps from the packed house.
The so appropriate 'Summertime' from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess beautifully performed by 17-year-old violinist Anna Cresswell resulted in tumultuous applause, providing a prelude to the eagerly awaited duet with sister Sarah. The girls chose to play Monti's 'Czardas' in a special arrangement by Geoff Howard, resident piano accompanist at the Welsh College of Music and Drama which was first performed a little over a year ago at the National Concert Hall of Wales at St. David's Hall in Cardiff. The rapport between these immensely talented girls was a joy to behold - a faultless performance of a highly entertaining piece resulting in a prolonged standing ovation from both choir and audience alike.
'Anthem' from the musical Chess - an expressive and expansive piece - is sure to become a male choir classic in Haydn James' new arrangement. An unexpected sudden loss of part of the great Willis Organ during this Welsh Premiere failed to spoil the majesty of the short work, organist Terrence Gilmore James bringing into play reserves from on high whilst probably the hardest working musician of the night, CMDC piano accompanist Sian Gwawr added more Steinway power, following minute indication from Haydn James' raised right eyebrow!
The final phrase in 'Anthem' is 'My lands' only borders lie around my heart'. There was a whole lot of heart in the cathedral on this night. Perhaps, in some way, the best way to set down the choir's own superb performance is to take a musical tour through the high gloss printed programme.
These choral 'Pilgrims' and 'Hebrew Slaves' with 'Sarah', 'Never Walk Alone', 'Down in the Valley'. they reminisced about 'Myfanwy' and marched with the Zulus' 'Siyahamba', countermarching as 'Men of Harlech' to the interval. Individuals may have pleaded 'Take Me Home, but these 'Stout-hearted Men' loaded 'Sixteen Tons' of No. 9 coal. Praying to God in 'Bring Him Home' and 'Let it be Me', the rousing Chess 'Anthem' declared the borders of the men's heartland lay 'Y Nefoedd. 'Tydi A Roddaist' heralded the sacrifices of John Brown, Johnny Reb and US citizens in the climatic 'American Trilogy' - lengthy ovations smartly curtailed by Haydn James with a racy Gospel 'Amen' to end a magnificent night of music-making.