A Welsh harpist. Photo: John Thomas. Courtesy The National Library of Wales.
The latest exhibition at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth ventures back in time to explain why the country is know as ‘the Land of Song’.
On show until October 29 2005, Encore! - Music in Wales records the Welsh nation’s particularly strong relationship with music from traditional folk to pop.
As well as photographs of such famous Welsh musicians as Ivor Novello, Tom Jones, Bryn Terfel and Super Furry Animals, the exhibition includes artefacts dating back to the middle ages.
Of these, perhaps the most significant is the famous Robert ap Huw manuscript from around 1613. It is the earliest manuscript containing traditional Welsh music and the oldest example of music for the harp.
Among the artefacts on show is the original manuscript of the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad fy Nhadau (under its original title, Glan Rhondda). Courtesy The National Library of Wales.
Part of the manuscript’s fame derives from ap Huw's unique notation. Over the centuries it has been the subject of fierce debate as musicians try to decipher it.
The document is currently gaining greater popularity and prestige as a new generation of musicians in Wales and especially in Ireland play his music and is on loan from the British Library in London.
Among the other items on display is the original manuscript of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau, the Welsh national anthem (under its original title, Glan Rhondda), and Ancient British Music - the oldest printed publication of Welsh music dating back to 1742.
A member of Y Blew, quite possibly the first Welsh-language pop group. Courtesy The National Library of Wales.
A copy of an edition of the London Illustrated News from 1873 also has pride of place for its announcement of Wales’ receipt of the title 'the Land of Song' following the success of the United Choir of South Wales in the Challenge Cup at the Crystal Palace.
Bringing things more up to date there are editions of Welsh language pop magazines and archive material relating to Y Blew – possibly the first Welsh-language pop group.
A series of events has been organised to coincide with the exhibition, including a performance of the traditional Welsh triple harp by Robin Huw Bowen and a talk about the ap Huw manuscript, as well as jazz, folk and classical evenings.
Encore! is supported by Welsh-language record label Cwmni Recordiau Sain cyf, which is publishing its entire back-catalogue on an MP3 player to be given away free to a lucky winner during the exhibition.
