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Copyright
Helen Forder
2004
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1869 - Grand Harp Contest at
Llanofer
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Report from the Pontypool Free Press
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'A large party of the
nobility and gentry assembled at Llanover Court on Thursday, the 14th
inst., Lady Llanover having invited them to be present at a sort of musical
tournament of Welsh harpers. The principal of her Ladyship's tenants were
also honoured with invitations, and wore leeks in deference to their noble
landlady's well-known predilection for the ancient customs of Wales. The
object of Lady Llanover in giving this entertainment was to aid in reviving
a preference for the old national triple harp of Wales, a subject that has
of late received considerable attention in musical circles, particularly
those of the Principality. She offered prizes for the best playing of
the grand "March of the Men of Harlech" (which we have never
heard sung at concerts with anything like the spirit that was thrown into
it the other day by the collier lad James Watkins, of Pontnewynydd, at the
singing match at Blue Boar Fields). The competition was to be confined
to players on the triple harp. There were nine entries, but only six
competed, two being disqualified as being players on the pedal harp.'
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'The competitors were A.
Rees, a lad only 14 years old, son and pupil of Mr. E. Rees of Merthyr
Tydfil (who was himself disqualified as being a pedal harp player); Robert
Jones, Newtown; Lewis Williams, Pontllanfraith; John Roberts sen., Newtown;
John Roberts jun., Newtown; and E. Pugh. The judges were the
well-known composer, Brinley Richards, Esq., and Lady Llanover's own
harper, Thos. Griffiths. The prizes were awarded as follows :- First
prize, Abraham Rees, a triple harp and £2. Second Robert Jones £5.
Third, Lewis Williams, £3. The winner, Abraham Rees, only 14
years old on the day of the competition, played admirably, and that he
could snatch the prize from some of the best triple harp players of the day
shows that he is no ordinary lad.'
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'The three winners tied, and
in order to decide who should receive the first prize they had to play a
second time. Though there were but three prizes offered, Lady Llanover
presented £5 to E. Pugh, and offered £3 to Roberts, sen., and £1 to
his son. The elder Roberts, however, was dissatisfied with the ruling of
the judges, contending that his harp was set in the wrong key and that he
ought to have been allowed to play a second time; and he refused to accept
anything or to allow his son to do so. The winners of the second and
third prizes, in addition to the prizes offered, have been promised by her
ladyship a triple harp each. A Welsh concert and lecture took place in the
evening at the Gwesty Dirwestol in the village, and there was a good
attendance'.
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