The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #90012   Message #1709082
Posted By: richd
02-Apr-06 - 07:08 PM
Thread Name: The folk tradition in Wales
Subject: RE: The folk tradition in Wales
My argument is that inevitably the tradition in Wales is fragmented. I would like to quote from the Merthyr Guardian of 1850: "It is a frequent practice of men disabled.. to learn to play the harp; by which means they earn precarious subsistence, by playing at public houses and merry-makings wherever they can find employment. I have seen men recently mutilated practicing the harp for this purpose". I I wonder what they played, and regret we'll never know, because a harp tradition in Merthyr Tydfil must have been something to hear! Maybe it partly depends on how you define 'tradition' and how you stand in relation to constructions of Welshness. I will follow up on the technology stuff about recording, and wonder why the range of voices we are offered is so small. For many people in/of Wales their relationship with St Fagans is deeply, deeply problematical. Good wishes to you.