John Thomas

Name: A Dictionary of Music and Musicians
Author: John Thomas

A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1900)

Summary

“A Dictionary of Music and Musicians”, published in 1900, is a work by John Thomas. It explores elements such as Welsh, melody and harp.

Quotes from A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (John Thomas)

John Thomas, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1900)

“ There is no denying that Welsh music is more artistic than either that of the Scotch or the Irish, and on that account it may, to a superficial observer, appear more modern; but to those who are acquainted with the harp, the national instrument of Wales, with its perfect diatonic scale, the apparent inconsistency disappears. ”

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Source: Wikisource

John Thomas, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1900)

“ The most remarkable feature in connection with Welsh music is that of Penillion singing,—singing of epigrammatic stanzas, extemporaneous or otherwise, to the accompaniment of one of the old melodies, of which there are many, very marked in character, expressly composed or chosen on account of their adaptability for the purpose, and played upon the harp. ”

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Source: Wikisource

John Thomas, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1900)

“ In the 7th century, according to the Venerable Bede, it was so generally played in Britain that it was customary to hand it from one to another at entertainments; and he mentions one who, ashamed that he could not play upon it, slunk away lest he should expose his ignorance. In such honour was it held in Wales that a slave might not practise upon it; while to play upon the instrument was an indispensable qualification of a gentleman. The ancient laws of Hywel Dda mention three kinds of harps:—the harp of the King; the harp of a Pencerdd, or master of music; and the harp of a Nobleman. ”

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Source: Wikisource

John Thomas, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1900)

“ British and Welsh music may be considered as one, since the original British music was, with the inhabitants, driven into Wales. It must be owned that the regular measure and diatonic scale of the Welsh music is more congenial to the English taste in general, and appears at first more natural to experienced musicians, than those of the Irish and Scotch. Welsh music not only solicits an accompaniment, but, being chiefly composed for the harp, is usually found with one ”

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Source: Wikisource

John Thomas, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1900)

“ The Welsh are specially rich in Pastoral Music, which is graceful, melodious, and unaffected. It is chiefly written for the voice, and the subject of the words is generally taken from the beauties of Nature, with an admixture of Love. The collection is so numerous, that it is no easy matter to make a selection ”

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Source: Wikisource

John Thomas, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1900)

“ But in order to be able to do this, he must be conversant with the twenty-four metres of Welsh poetry. The subjects afford a great deal of mirth. Some of these are jocular, others farcical, but most of them amorous. It is not the best vocalist who is considered to excel most in this style of epigrammatical singing; but the one who has the strongest sense of rhythm, and can give most effect and humour to the salient points of the stanza—not unlike the parlante singing of the Italians in comic opera. ”

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Source: Wikisource

John Thomas, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1900)

“ The next was the revision of the rules for the composition and performance of music. The '24 musical measures' were permanently established, as well as a number of keys, scales, etc.; and it was decreed that henceforth all compositions were to be written in accordance with those enactments; and that none but those who were conversant with the rules should be considered thorough musicians, or competent to undertake the instruction of others. ”

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Source: Wikisource

John Thomas, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1900)

“ The military music of the Welsh seems superior to that of any other nation.... In the Welsh marches, 'The March of the men of Harlech,' 'Captain Morgan's March,' and also a tune called 'Come to Battle,' there is not too much noise, nor is there vulgarity nor yet misplaced science. They have a sufficiency of rhythm without its injuring the dignified character of the whole.
We give the melodies of the three marches mentioned.
Rhyfelgyrch Gwyr Harlech. (March of the Men of Harlech.) [2]
Audio playback is not supported in your browser. ”

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Source: Wikisource

John Thomas, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1900)

“ Audio playback is not supported in your browser. You can download the audio file.
The bold and warlike strain, 'Y Gâdlys' (The Camp) , suffered the degradation of being wedded to Tom Durfey's doggrel song 'Of noble race was Shenkin,' introduced into 'The Richmond Heiress,' a.d. ”

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Source: Wikisource

John Thomas, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1900)

“ In this manuscript will also be found some of the most ancient pieces of music of the Britons, supposed to have been handed down from the ancient bards. The whole of the music is written for the Crwth, in a system of notation by the letters of the alphabet, with merely one line to divide bass and treble. Dr. ”

John Thomas

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