Alawon y Mynydd / Mountain Melodies

“Mountain Melodies”, the latest recording by Côr Meibion Talgarth, coincides with the choir’s 40th anniversary. It was recorded at St Gwendoline’s Church in Talgarth, which lies at the foot of the Black Mountains. This historic church, dedicated to the daughter of Brychan, King of Brecknockshire, is famous for its connection with the Methodist Revival as it was here that Howell Harris (1735-1773) was converted and sometimes preached. His remains are buried in front of the altar rails. The choir was formed by a small group of enthusiasts in 1968 who enticed a local lady music teacher to ‘take up the baton’. A few of that original group still remain and that same lady, Morwen Pugh (81 years old), is still the choir’s Musical Director. Membership has increased over the years, and a number of choristers from ‘over the border’ have come to share the choir’s love of song and friendship. This much travelled choir has performed at The Royal Albert Hall, London, St David’s Hall, the Arms Park, Millennium Stadium and Millennium Centre, Cardiff, and audiences in Holland, Brittany, Spain and more recently The Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, have enjoyed the choir’s unique sound.