The Emerald Ensemble

Children from Blaenymaes Primary School had a great time at the last Crwth concert, hearing music old and new performed by the Emerald Chamber Ensemble in the Brunswick Methodist Church. Although Crwth have brought chamber music to school on several occasions, this was the children’s first experience of a public chamber concert, so at first we thought we would be cautious and take just a very few. But they listened to some of the pieces first on CDs, liked them and brought their mates along, so we asked staff for extra cars and set off on a beautiful sunny evening.

Aggie Morgan welcomed them with drinks. Then they took their cushions upstairs and settled down, with a bird’s eye view. Luckily the first piece, Vivaldi’s Il Gardellino with its bird trills, was familiar so they felt happy and enjoyed the rest of the concert, including the unfamiliar Rossini and John Carmichael. They were mightily impressed by the agile playing and energetic rhythms of Bartok’s Romanian Dances. The last piece started and the children had to stifle whispers, "The Clock, The Clock!" and Salomon’s arrangement of Haydn’s symphony returned them to familiar territory. The verdict on the players: ‘brilliant... very talented... lovely... we hope we can go again’.

Thank you Crwth; it gives us great pleasure to take our children to hear first class music played in such friendly surroundings. And they enjoyed meeting the musicians and sharing their sweets with, I think, just about every member of the audience.

MK

REVIEWING FOR CRWTH

Traditionally reviews of concerts appear in local newspapers, and Crwth concerts are no exception. We try to ensure that a review of each concert appears in the South Wales Evening Post the following week. The theory is that this is an effective way of bringing chamber music to the attention of the newspaper-reading public. Perhaps you have noticed. In which case, perhaps it works.

But perhaps you thought ‘Yes OK, but that review last week was a bit short!’ Well the Evening Post has a limit of 150 words. Barely enough room to list the musicians, the music and the fact that the audience clapped! So this is why the webpage is such good news. There isn’t the same pressure and, as reviewers, we can say what we actually think without having to count the words required to say it. And we can actually discuss and, if needs be, disagree!

At the end of the concert, you may feel speechless, overwhelmed by the magic of it all. Having slept on it however, you might like to check out what you think with others who were there. Here’s your chance! This page is an opportunity for you to voice your thoughts and to discuss the music.

So, if you want to try your hand at writing a review, feel free to have a go. Or, if you disagree with the reviews that appear here, send us a letter. You don’t need a degree in music, just some ideas about what you have heard.

Send it to Crwth (postmaster@crwth.org.uk), or post it to me at the above address. And, so long as it’s not defamatory (or inflammatory), we’ll put it on this page. Who knows, you might be joining a worldwide web of chamber music enthusiasts!

Bill Bytheway