Reviews
Welsh Mass Male Voice Choir in the company of Cor Y Traeth, Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir and Rhos Orpheus
Dewi Wyn (Tenor) Owen Webb (Baritone) Dylan Cernyw (Harp)
Annette Bryn Parri (Piano)
Liverpool Empire Theatre
Sunday January 2nd, 2006
The fact that so many voices - over one hundred - did not depend on microphones to make themselves heard in such a large auditorium, is in itself awe -inspiring. That they did so with seemingly effortless precision and timing, was quite simply breathtaking.
Led by two conductors, Eifion Jones and Geraint Roberts, the choir seemed to ripple like a wave across the waters during their rendition of Soldiers Chorus and breathed fire and brimstone during Richter's The Creation. Whereas Joseph Parry's beautiful Myfanwy invoked memories of a childhood past with true emotion.
The soloists were impeccable with Dewi Wyn delivering an emotive Maria from West Side Story and Owen Webb's performance of the Barber's Chorus from The Barber of Seville, was a positive delight in a night of many highlights.
Dylan Cernyw played the Harp with such a deft touch, at times he seemed to plucking notes from the air, whereas Annette Bryn Parri - who has performed with many great artists - was on fine form here. Apart the soloists were inspirational, together they were almost divine.
It was left to the Choir, proper, to stela the show however, with a sublime - and accurate - performance of Rogers & Hammerstein's You'll Never Walk Alone. No Gerry Marsden or Kop pastiche this. Instead it was delivered the way the composers meant it - with power, grace and professionalism.
This was one of many performances to be touring the country over the coming months and is designed to encourage those young performers that the choirs have nurtured. On last night's evidence, their task has been completed to perfection.
9/10
Chris High
www.chrishigh.com
Masters of the voice
I have always regarded Trelawnyd among the most accomplished of North Wales Male choirs and when they appeared in their annual weekend festival in their own village, they were at their superb best.
With sixty five years behind them as an ensemble, I first remember hearing them at a village eisteddfod nearly fifty years ago, but they have now matured into an ensemble that understands the demands of choir master Geraint Roberts, and invariably produce with great effects.
It is like a giant organ, with a superb bass able to produce the big sound when necessary, but despite its size - more than seventy were singing on Sunday evening - it could cope with the quieter pieces just as expertly. Their programme varied enough to show all aspects of their mastery of their craft.
Iorweth Roberts
Daily Post, Friday, October 16th, 1998
Diamond Jubilee lit by Terfel's special magic
Sixty years of song, Rhyl Pavilion
Bryn Terfel back in familiar surroundings, brought his own special magic to light up Trelawnyd male voice choir's diamond jubilee celebration. For the record, the choir showed little sign of its advanced age. The programme was carefully chosen and varied avoiding hackneyed, heavy pieces. It revealed a rare lightness of touch and fine attention to detail.
Members can claim to have shared the stage with a rising star; he can always recall that he has appeared with an ensemble that has carried a musical torch with distinction for sixty years in North East Wales.
60th Anniversary Celebrity concert, October 1993
Popular hits and folk a good mix
The debt North Wales culture owes to its male voice choirs is immense if only for the opportunity their celebrity concerts give to hear world class artists on our own doorsteps.
This concert was well up to the standard expected by discerning audiences. The choir was in good voice, with conductor Geraint Roberts not afraid to experiment with arrangements old and new.
The whole repertoire was well prepared and well executed, presenting a rounded, disciplined sound throughout.
Iorweth Roberts
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Daily Post, October7th, 1995
Accomplished Welsh choir provides memorable evening
To native Welsh speakers, the ancient northern near coastal town of Trelawnyd has an especially fruitful name - it means 'full of corn', a title that still applies in its modern role as a regional agricultural centre.
But the place is equally rich in music, as an enthusiastic capacity audience at St. Andrews Presbyterian church in Kitchener discovered Monday, when the Côr Meibion Trelawnyd - Trelawnyd male voice choir made an impressive and surprisingly varied local debut under director Geraint Roberts.
It's been said that the most beautiful vowels in the world come from the hills and valleys of Wales and the trait held true for every word and note of the Trelawnyd programme. Although the full choir handled music of wide contrast with superb diction, pitch and resonance (their collective breath support is a gift most directors can only dream of) Monday's finest moments were still the Welsh ones.
A rousing standing ovation told everything there was to know about Mondays audience felt, but more of the traditional material that makes Welsh male choirs truly distinctive would likely have evoked just as much praise.
The Trelawnyd singers shared the same dilemma of any overseas ensemble wishing to make a good impression with north Americans; how to balance the familiar with the original. An all too real danger is that we're liable to get too much of our own material back. Yes, they often do it better, but theirs remains incomparable.
By Pauline Durichen
Record staff, 1988 Canada tour
