WHY DO THE WELSH SING SO WELL?

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1125, 2 November 1911, Page 17

WHY DO THE WELSH SING SO WELL?

In reply to the oft-repeated question, “Why do the Welsh sing so well?” Mr Ben Davies (who by the way will shortly appear in New Zealand), invariably says. “Because

they cannot help it!” adding by way of explanation, “The formation of their throats make it so easy—and this very helpful formation is their heritage from generations of Welshspeaking and singing forefathers. In Wales we all sing—more or less! The love of music is inherited there; and the cultivation of it is our natural, as it is our most enjoyed form of selfindulgence. The means on which we chiefly depend is participation in some of the splendidly organised choral societies that are at once our delight and our pride. And remembering how soon 'all the new musijc was passed in review by the male choirs of my boyhood’s environment, and the pitch of excellence at which all their old repertoire was always kept, I think the pride thoroughly justified. You may judge when I tell you that I was myself not any exception to the ordinary range of musicianship because at twelve years of age I knew all the oratorios. It seemmerely claiming a privilege due to everybody in a civilised country, much as one would claim instruction in reading and writing; for then, oratorio was more part of the national life than it is now. I hope the taste for it will revive, for I delight in it — all of it—and in spite of the modern abuse of Mendelssohn, his ‘Hymn of Praise’ and ‘Elijah’ have for me ever fresh charm.”