Welsh Journals

The Local Eisteddfodau, large and small, are legion. Unfortunately many of them show dis- quieting symptoms of decadence. Wales is like an orchard full of fruit trees that display abund- ant leafage but little fruit. There are bitter com- plaints of poor programmes, and of deliberate re- petition of hackneyed pieces in order to secure spurious successes. Worse than this, a devast- ating canker has appeared-the "challenge solo." In South Wales this disease is spreading in a more virulent form. Under the name "own choice" it attacks choral competitions, with the result that some choirs live on the singing of one or two pieces only. There is no kind of organisation to canalise the multifarious activities of these eisteddfodau. A few years ago the "Undeb Eisteddfodau" was started. Its plan of action was excellently con- ceived, but for some inscrutable reason the idea was never worked out, and eisteddfodic effort suffers the inevitable results of the lack of organ- isation-a sinful waste of energy and resources, ineffectiveness, and a persistently low standard. Salvation may possibly come through the eis- teddfodau of the Urdd Gobaith, which are well or- ganised and linked together on rational lines. As yet their musical standard is not very high, but the whole scheme is most promising, the more so as it is bound up with the language and national evolution. III THE CYMANFAOEDD. There is no space left to consider this important feature of Welsh mus- ical life. It can be briefly stated that, although the cymanfaoedd are still popular, when the re- sults are weighed against the potentialities of this institution, so deeply rooted in Wales, they are exceedingly slight. The programme of music ar- ranged for each session is lighter than it used to be a generation ago. In place of the four chor- uses or anthems that had to be mastered then, The Editor announces that publication of the "Welsh Outlook" in its present form will cease with this issue. It is intended to republish the paper under its present title-"The Welsh Outlook"— in a few months time. Details have not yet been settled, but it is probable that it will become particularly an organ of the Voluntary Service Movement in Wales. This announcement is made in order to preserve the copyright in the name of the paper. There are available a number of copies of different issues, including a few bound annual volumes. Particulars can be obtained on application to the Welsh Outlook Press, 22, High Street, Newtown, Mont. singers are now content with one or two, and only a minority of the congregations manage to learn them. There has been no progress in the Free Churches in the singing of chants, and in many districts these are entirely omitted. In spite of the inefficiency of many of the precentors, very little has been done to remedy the unsatisfactory state of things, but it is probable that in the near future short courses for conductors and precentors will be arranged. 10 conclude this imperfect sketcn, tne last twenty years have seen a startling increase in musical knowledge in Wales. But, with the great increase in academic qualifications, there has come a corresponding increase of the professional spirit with a serious diminution of the enthusiasm of the amateur. There was, comparatively speaking, more writ- ing of new music when there were only two music graduates in Wales than there is today when there are scores of graduates. Wales is called "the Land of Song," but the progress of vocal music during the last twenty years has not kept pace with the increase of know- ledge and opportunity. The improvement in instrumental music has been wonderful. Some of our graduates have started to provide music for the instrumentalists, and they even invade the English market. The multiplication of opportunities for hearing music has greatly widened our horizon but mus- ical taste still remains comparatively low. Thus, the record of the twenty years shows un- doubted progress, but it is exceedingly unequal; and, in many departments, not commensurate with the opportunities. The chief Jesson to be learned is that it is high time for us to systematise our activities so as to increase their efficiency and productiveness. NOTICE