Valleys of Song

This social history of music in Wales focuses upon such groups as the fighting choirs of Dowlais and Merthyr; the Caradog South Wales Choral Union which marched on the Crystal Palace; and the male voice choirs of the Rhondda which toured the world.

Like all clichés, Wales as 'the Land of Song' has a solid basis in historical fact. Welsh choral singing was a form of popular culture in the nineteenth century. Crowds followed the choirs in even greater numbers than in football matches, and Eisteddfod competitions frequently became 'choral bull-fights' where keenly honed rivalries spilled over into betting, missile throwing, assaults on adjudicators and general violence. This is the story of Wales as the 'the Land of Song' as it has never been told before - colourful, dramatic and uplifting. Vividly written in a lucid style by an accomplished social and cultural historian, this is a celebration of the land of song in its hey-day that will appeal to a wide audience

Get Valleys of Song by at the best price and quality guaranteed only at Werezi Africa's largest book ecommerce store. The book was published by University of Wales Press and it has pages.