'Music for a Summer's Evening'
History was made at St Cynllo’s Church on the evening of Saturday July 4th. A choral concert had been arranged to raise money for Church funds. The Cor Dulais Chamber Choir have given concerts and raised funds for several Ceredigion churches. Under their extremely talented conductor Malcolm Pike they kindly agreed to give a concert at St Cynllo’s.
Unfortunately, Saturday was a showery, cooler day but the rain stopped and the weather stayed fine, both as people arrived for the 7.30 performance and also for the refreshments afterwards.
Church members worked hard on the Saturday morning arranging hedgerow and garden flowers. The Church looked so beautiful with vases of flowers on every windowsill and on the font and pulpit. A particularly charming arrangement in the porch greeted the audience as they arrived.
By 7.30 the Church was almost full, with about 60 – 70 people from the local area and beyond anticipating an enjoyable evening.
The 12 members of Cor Dulais treated us to a programme of ‘Music for a Summer’s Evening – A summer Soiree’. The song ranged from the light-hearted to contemplative, highlighting composers from the 16th century through to the 20th century. There were moving performances of Mozart’s ‘Ave Verum Corpus’ and Hugh Robertson’s ‘All in the April Evening’.
The songs were interspersed with readings by choir members ranging from Cardinal Hume’s ‘Stillness and Peace’ to an achingly funny ‘Love Story’ by Patricia Fuller. The choir expertly rendered two Welsh songs by Robert Lowry and Georg (Abbe) Volger. A Welsh reading ‘Dawns y Ser’ was also given.
One particular highlight was the delightful singing accompanied by the harp by Church member Mrs Barbara Evans. She first played a Welsh lullaby, made extra poignant by the presence of her daughter and grandson in the audience. She then gave a rendition of ‘Molly Malone’ encouraging the audience to join in the chorus, which they did with enthusiasm.
When the concert ended many people stayed to partake of the refreshments.
A gazebo had been erected outside from which teas and cakes were served.
Judging from the many favourable comments another concert would be very popular, perhaps at Christmas time. Thanks to Church members, Malcolm Pike and the Cor Dulais Chamber Choir, a considerable sum was raised for Church funds.
Review by Judith Stevens
st cynllos' church
Llangynllo Ceredigion
Activities
Read about activities and events, times of services and more information about the group of Churches in the Benefice (external link)
The Teifi Christian Trail
St Cynllo's is one of a number of Churches that feature on this journey through the spiritual and cultural history of the Churches of the Teifi Valley
Acknowlegement
Much of the information contained on this website has been drawn from the excellent guidebook to St Cynllo's written by Rev. Brian Whatmore - this lovingly written and scholarly guide is highly recommended for those who would like to learn more about the history of this beautiful Church.
Copies of the guidebook
are available at the
Church
