The London Welshman

Gohebiaethau. [Nid ydym mewn un modd yn gyfrifol am syniadau ein gwahanol ohebwyr.] TRAETHODWYR EISTEDDFODOL. At Olygyddy "LONDON WELSHMAN." SYR, Mae un peth nodweddiadol o'n prif Eistedd- fodau ag sydd yn ddirgelwch i mi, a charwn yn fawr gael goleuni arno. Fel rheol pan fydd methiant arianol yn crogi uwchben unrhyw Eisteddfod bwysig, fe ysgrifena yr ymgeiswyr traethodol iddi y pryd hwnnw yn wael ryfeddol, ond ysgrifenant yn rhagorol pan fydd llewyrch arianol ar bethau a'r traethodwyr yn unig yw y bobl gyfnewidiol hyn. Ar ddydd yr Eisteddfod rhywbeth yn y 'background yw y traethawd, pryd y mae cadeirio y bardd yn rhan weledig ac hanfodol, a cheir pob amser fardd cymhwys i eistedd yn y gadair. Eithriad yw cadair wag fel yn Aberystwyth yn 1865. Drachetn, mae ein cantorion a'n hadroddwyr yn rhan o weithrediadau gweledig yr Wyl, ac y maent hwythau bob amser yn "ofnadwy dda fel nad oes modd attal gwobr. Wfft i'r traethodwyr, i fyny ag i liwr yw hi gyda hwy, fel pe byddent yn rhwym wrth beiriant arianol yr Eisteddfod. Y maent fel pe byddent wedi eu gosod i dafoli y cyllid arianol. Dywedir i'r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol ddiweddaf dalu ei ffordd heb yr un geiniog dros ben, ond pe byddai i un o'r ymgeiswyr ar y prif draethawd ysgrifenu yn deilwng o'r wobr, byddai Eisteddfod 1904 mewn dyled 0 Z50. Gallesid dwyn lliaws o engraifftiau, ond gwasanaethed un neu ddwy y tro hwn. Un o Eisteddfodau mwyaf llwyddianus Llundain ymhob ystyr oed yr hon a gyn haliwyd yn y Queen's Hall, 1898, pryd yr anfonwyd traethodau da i fewn, a'r tri blaenaf yn excellent meddai y beirniad, Drwg genym hysbysu i Eisteddfod 1899 yn yr un lie, a chan yr un awdurdodau droi all-in yn fethiant hollol yn yr ystyr arianol. Attaliwyd y gwobrwyon yno am ddau draethawd, a'r hyn sydd yn rhyfeddol yw fod awdwr yr excellent essay yn 898, yn un o'r ymgeiswyr gwael yn 1899. Da genym allu dywedyd i Falmouth Road yn y blynyddoedd diweddaf hyn gynnal rhai Eisteddfodau llwyddianus, ac ar raddfa eang, a chaed traethodau llwyddianus hefyd. Ond eleni yr ydym yn ofni na throdd yr Eisteddfod alian, ) n yr ystyr arianol, fel y dylasai, ac yma etto fel y gellid disgwyl, yn ol arfer pethau, nid oedd yr un o'r ymgeiswyr ar y traethawd yn deilwng o'r wobr. Y cwestiwn yw hwn Pa un ai damweiniol hollol yw cydgyfarfyddiad methiant arianol yr Eisteddfod ac attaliadau gwobrwyon y traethodau, neu ynte fod rhyw gyfrit arbenig i'w roddi am hyn ? Pe bae i'r cwestiwn annumynol hwn gael cylchrediad yn yr iaith Seisnig, credwn y gwnai y Daily Mailgymeryd dyddordeb ynddo. A wna CYMRO LLUNDAIN geisio dehongli y dirgelwch? ———————— EDNO. THE ALBERT HALL EISTEDDFOD. To the Editor of "THE LONDON WELSHMAN." SIR,-Allow me a small space in your valuable paper to explain to the doubtful Not a Competitor," that the winner of the tenor solo, Mr. D. J. Jones, of Middles- brough, is self-taught, and takes singing as a pastime. If he is not an amateur, who is ? I may say he works at the rolls in a large steel works. If he gave the impression of being a professional, all the more to his credit. I can assure you there was no one more disappointed than he at not having to sing at the Albert Hall, as he told me afterwards. As to the Final being taken in an adjoining room, I never heard of such a thing before, of holding two preliminary contests on the same solo. To sum up Not a Competitor's letter in one word-jealousy. 170, Regent Street. J. E. JAMES. To the Editor of "THE LONDON WELSHMAN." DEAR SIR,-It is with regret that I beg to call attention regarding the ten"r competition in the Eisteddfod held at the Albert Hall on Thursday, 23rd, for which I entered. After waiting 4t hours, I found that I was one of the three selected for the final, and five minutes later was' told on good author,ty that the prize was already awarded owing to the lateness of the hour, without further contest. I think this most unfair to the other two, as if it could not have be-n sung off in the h dl, it might have been taken in the theatre. I would be willing to sing the receiver of the prize for the honour. I have since been told that one of the competitors is at the Royal Academy, but don't know if that is the one that has got the prize. If such is the case he ought to be styled a professional, and not have been allowed in the competition. I may add I have lodged a protest with the Secretary. Trusting I have not intruded too much on your valuable columns. Yours faithfully, JOHN HARDING. Grove Cottage, Barnes, S.W. 25th February, 1905. To the Editor of THE LONDON WELSHMAN." DEAR SIR,-May I beg space in your next issue to suggest that the general excellence of the arrange- ments for the competi, ive musical festival might be greatly improved in some particulars. I shall refer to the preliminary tests only, a though, even to the competition proper, some suggestions may also apply. On behalf of several competitors, and as the teacher of some, I enquired in good time if soloists could sing in keys best suited to their voices, as even half a tone, up or down, sometimes makes a great difference to methods of production. The letter I received distinctly stated, Transposition is not allowed," a reply I expected and fully agreed with. At the contest, however, several competitors sang in transposed keys, and an excellent soprano won the Car- melite prize by singing a song published only for low voices, in competition with male singers as well! Surely adjudication in such a case must be difficult, unless a prize is awarded for each voice. Is it unavoidable for singers from a distance to have to wait in London (an expensive matter to some) until toG, late to return even on the night of the Final," to find out if they .have to compete or not ? Then with such a long list of competitors, would it not be fair to award certificates to, or at least give out the names of the "commended." This could be done at the preliminary meeting, under certain conditions. Should it be possible for Solo competitors, impression- able amateurs, to hear each other perform ? Many are unconsciously influenced in the matter of Tempi and general interpretation by the constant repetitions of their own items. The excellent accompanists provided practically fix the Tempo in playing over the introduction and for this reason, competitors might well be urged to bring their own accompanists, and thus give their own. renderings, instead of imitating others. With apologies and thanks, I am, Sir, Yours faithfully, MAURICE CHILD*. Great Central Hall, London, S.E. Feb. 27, 1905.