Celebrating the Land of Song
Posted: 28th October 2025The Clarence Hall was filled with warmth and melody this weekend as Crickhowell Choral Society presented A Celebration of the Land of Song as part of the opening weekend of the Celtic Roots Festival.
Conducted by Stephen Marshall with Christopher Lovegrove at the piano, the concert brought together a beautiful blend of choral, harp and vocal solos celebrating Wales’ rich musical heritage.
The programme opened with Haydn’s Come, gentle Spring from The Seasons, setting a tone of freshness and joy. Harpist Rose Graham and soprano Eve Carey captivated the audience throughout, weaving lyrical duets such as Cilfan y Coed and Y Blodau ger y Drws with heartfelt expression. The choir’s rendition of Mendelssohn’s Die Nachtigall was especially elegant, and the concluding Drink up! The wine is here lifted spirits as the first half drew to a close.
After the interval, the choir returned with a set of Welsh folksongs, arranged by Stephen Marshall. From the purity of Aderyn Pur and the playful rhythms of Dacw Fuwch to the nostalgia of My Little Welsh Home, each piece captured a facet of Welsh life and landscape. The performances of Suo-Gân and Poor wand’ring one by the two choral scholars were delightful, while Rose Graham’s rendition of the Santa Fe Suite displayed both artistry and technical poise.
The concert reached its emotional peak with O Gymru, sung with stirring pride, and the beloved Calon Lân, its familiar harmonies filling the Hall. As voices rose together on the final refrain, it was a moment that encapsulated both the musical spirit of Wales and the community that sustains it.
It was an excellent opening to the Celtic Roots Festival and a fitting tribute to the Land of Song!