There is always great expectation of a night of memorable music in St. Davids Cathedral when Wales' largest choir takes to the tiered stage for the annual Summer Concert, and last Saturday's Texaco sponsored event was no exception.
A respectful hush descended in the National Shrine as the final chorister in the 120 strong and highly disciplined Cor Meibion De Cymru took his place.
A single lit candle carried to the centre stage by soprano soloist Fflur Wyn dramatically highlighted the sense of occasion as, with unseen trumpet fanfare, the assembled choir and artistes launched their 17th consecutive appearance with the spectacular new hymn 'Cenarth'. Seldom has a new work - in this case composed by Hollywood-based Michael J. Lewis with libretto by bard Eluned Phillips, of the village that inspired the title - received such an ovation.
The large audience hailing from both Pembrokeshire and much further afield, including the USA, continued to show their appreciation throughout the concert.
Familiar works from The South Wales Male Choir exhibited the great choral dynamics of such a well rehearsed ensemble, tumultuous 'Amens' as in 'Tydi a Roddaist' to the whispering final chord of 'My Lord, What a Mornin', the second basses adding wonderful deep resonance that must of reached the very foundations of the Cathedral to the obvious delight of the irrepressible conductor Haydn James.
Guest artistes for the concert, including the Texaco Young Musician of Wales 2003 bronze medallist, 15-year-old trumpeter Huw Morgan (Bridgend) - as accomplished and professional musician it would be hard to find in one so young - joined the choir for a number of spectacular works.
Accompanied by harpist Carys McMillian (Neath), CMDC organist Terence Gilmore-James (Abergavenny) and the ever-popular piano accompanist Sian Gwawr (Ferndale), diminutive soprano Fflur Wyn (Brynamman), the possessor of a crystal clear powerful voice that has earned her the very top accolades in her profession, enthralled the audience with one vocal triumph after another. From within the ranks of the choir another star in the making, tenor Peter Totterdale (St. Clears) provided yet more excellent solo and duet support.
Possible the highlight of the night (and there were many) involved the entire ensemble and was another relatively recent composition by Michael J. Lewis inspired on the infamous 911 day in New York. 'Give Peace, O God', a simple, but hugely dramatic work linked with another of his work's 'Heaven is My Home', showed off the talent of the young and 'the not so young Welsh', as presenter Barri Hurford described his fellow choristers in the Cathedral.