Cardiff Concert with Caryl Parry Jones

The Cardiff Concert with Caryl Parry Jones at Eglwys y Crwys will stay in the memory for a long time. An experience some will never forget.

We arrived at Eglwys y Crwys in good time to have a quick run through one or two musical items. Caryl also arrived early and her words of appreciation and encouragement instilled self belief and confidence.

Cardiff Concert with Caryl Parry Jones

The choir opened the Concert with ‘Y Ddau Wladgarwr’ which is now regarded as our signature opener.

We never tire of singing Joseph Parry’s powerful, rousing Welsh patriotic tenor/bass duet. The audience really liked it. We knew we were in for a good night.

In contrast, the gentle lullaby ‘Fy Mhlentyn’ by Aled Edwards was musically effective. Next, our rendition of ‘Abide With Me’ is always a crowd pleaser.

Clwyd Wynne, our compere, then introduced our Choir President, [easyazon_link identifier=”B0044OXCIA” locale=”UK” tag=”denanddismalv-21″]Caryl Parry Jones[/easyazon_link], along with her accompanist, Geraint Cynan.

Caryl described her delight in accepting our invitation to become Choir President.

Caryl’s natural warmth and charisma embraced the audience. She is a natural communicator with an obvious sense of humour.

Being a prolific and talented composer Caryl has no shortage of her own songs to sing.

Caryl Parry Jones Centre Stage

Caryl’s first song ‘Yr Ail Feiolin’ (The Second Violin) will remain an all time Welsh classic. The epitomy of teenage ‘unrequited love,’ it is full of lyrical pathos in a haunting musical score.

Then a captivating and emotional account of Caryl’s son, Moc Parry Jones, who never spoke a word after his second birthday.

Autism rendered Moc speechless for two years until one morning he said “Bore Da Mam” (Good morning Mum). Pure human drama.

Caryl composed ‘Mor Dawel’ (So Quiet) as a tribute to her son Moc when he was going through this silent phase in his life. You could have heard a pin drop when she sang the poignant song.

Then, Caryl sang ‘Adre’ (Home), another of her well known compositions. A song dedicated to the musical inspiration she received from gifted musical parents, Rhys and Gwen Jones.

The choir then closed the first half with Gwawrio Maer Bore, Calm is the Sea, Angels Watching Over Me and the stirring American Trilogy.

More from the Choir and Caryl

The second half continued with the choir singing Song of the Jolly Roger, Pan Fo’r Nos yn Hir and African Prayer.

Caryl then continued with her appealing love song ‘Pan Ddaw Yfory’ (When Tomorrow Comes).

Then a delightful account of how Caryl was blown away when she heard a young Jane Evans singing a new song at the Eisteddfod yr Urdd.

Thinking it was by Gershwin or Porter, Caryl asked her father, Rhys Jones who had composed the song.

“I did,” was Rhys’  reply and ‘[easyazon_link identifier=”B00JS24P9S” locale=”UK” tag=”denanddismalv-21″]O Gymru[/easyazon_link]’ remains an eternal Welsh favourite from that day.

Caryl’s rendition both sensitive and powerful.

Then another of Caryl’s very popular ‘ Chwarae’n Troi’n Chwerw, a bitter sweet description of human relationships.

Caryl then joined the choir for ‘Gwahoddiad.’ Our memorable Cardiff Concert with Caryl Parry Jones concert was nearly over.

The choir sang ‘The Rose’ with baritone Peter Davies in outstanding form, and finished with ‘Yn y Man’.

Carol Hardy, on behalf of Living Room Cardiff, said that the evening had been a ‘ veritable feast of singing.’

Thanks also for the kind comments below:

“Thanks to the talented Caryl Parry Jones and Denigh Male Voice Choir for a truly wonderful concert, and for supporting Living Room Cardiff.”
Wynford Ellis Owen (Syr Wynff ap Concord)

“The singing was exceptionally good and the concert was wonderful.”
Ann Williams, Cardiff

In conclusion, we are grateful for the welcome and hospitality.

Diolch am y croeso cofiadwy.

Ed: Note – You can read about the rest of our Cardiff weekend here. Photographs of the Cardiff Weekend can be seen in The Gallery section of the website.