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The Great Welsh Choral Collection
Over 5,000 Mixed Voices Celebrate Wales' Best Loved Hymn Tunes at the Royal Albert Hall
A Nation Sings
(Volume 1)
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With Wales’ reputation as a musical nation through the centuries, Gymanfa Ganus have been the
means to that musical expression for the last 150 years. To clarify, if gospel music is the religious
expression for Afro-Americans then Gymanfa’s were designed to ‘fire the heart’ of every religious
Welshman. These singing festivals have been held regularly across the Principality and the great
Welsh hymns are sung by the congregation. It was by these means that many a Religious Revival was
launched especially if a ‘Fire & Brimstone’ Lay Preacher was added to this emotive mix.
Sadly, these Gymanfas are growing less frequent in line with the closure of many Welsh Chapels.
At their height, there were over 6,000 chapels in Wales and such was the extent of the religious
fervour that a new chapel was being built every 8 days! Now the number has reduced dramatically
to nearer 2,000 and continues to diminish with every new year. The largest Chapel in Wales is the
Morriston Tabernacle in Swansea with a congregation capacity of 3,000. Therefore, in order to
achieve the magical figure of 5,000 for this event it was necessary to go outside the Principality.
It was nearly 50 years ago that the last mammoth Gymanfa was held at the Royal Albert Hall in
London under the Musical Direction of Dr.Terry James. It then took another 30 years for this event
to be recreated, this time under the auspices of the London Welsh Association. They drew their ‘congregation’ of 5,000 from far and wide; whilst at the heart of this great assembly were choristers
representing the following Choirs:
Côr Bargoed Teifi * Côr Dyffryn Tanat * Llwchwr Choral Society
Cantorion Bro Cefni * Cantorion Pontyclun * Mid Glam Mixed Choir
Côr Bro Dysynni * The Griffon Choir * Pontypridd Choral Society
This, to date, was the last 5,000 strong Gymanfa and encapsulates the beliefs, hopes and traditions
of a Nation.
Musical Director: John Peleg Williams
Organist: Carys Hughes