A modern revival of Welsh Folk Music

Revival of Welsh Folk Music

A modern revival in Welsh Folk Music signifies a reconnection and rediscovery of a rich cultural heritage that encapsulates Wales’ unique history, language, and traditions.

Key Characteristics

A prominent feature of this revival is the use of traditional Welsh musical forms, instruments, and songs, all reinterpreted in contemporary, innovative ways.
The music often includes characteristic Welsh elements, such as the pentatonic scale (a musical scale with five notes per octave) and cerdd dant (Welsh art form involving poetry and song).
Key instruments in traditional Welsh music that have been revived include the harp, crwth (a bowed string instrument), and pibgorn (a type of hornpipe).

Leading Figures in the Movement

Artists like Ar Log, Plethyn, and Dafydd Iwan have been prominent in the revival of this genre.
Welsh band Super Furry Animals along with singer-songwriter Cerys Matthews have gained mainstream popularity and have played a role in promoting and preserving Welsh identity through their music.
The successful Welsh language music festival Tafwyl and BBC Radio Cymru’s ‘Album of the Year’ provide platforms for new artists contributing to the modern revival.

Influence and Outcomes

The revival has led to a surge in the popularity and awareness of Welsh folk music both domestically and internationally.
This movement has created a connection between present and past, offering a strong sense of Welsh cultural identity and belonging.
Many ensembles now incorporate traditional Welsh folk music into their repertoire, adding a sense of cultural diversity to western musical ensembles.

Participation and Education

Schools and community groups across Wales have begun to incorporate folk music into their music teaching, inspiring a new generation to actively participate in this cultural revival.
Projects such as Trac: Music Traditions Wales work to promote and teach Welsh folk music, dance and song, offering resources and opportunities to learn.
This inclusion of traditional music in educational settings provides an enriched musical learning experience, broadening students’ understanding of music.

Musical Techniques

Techniques from Welsh folk music revived in modern settings include the use of drones (sustained notes or repeated sounds), traditional rhythms, and the use of modal melodies (melodies based on modes rather than modern major and minor scales).
These musical elements improve group coordination and listening skills, enhancing overall ensemble performance and making Welsh folk music a dynamic choice for ensemble work.