Episode 1 Llangollen

Musical Eisteddfod at clan goth Lin. It has been a scorching week.

have been enjoying some of the best choirs, dance he issers and

instrumentalists from around the world plus some fantastic evening

performances. We will have the Choir of the World competition. But first,

of the World competition. But first, start our highlights programme than

with this, one of the most spectacular sights of the week and

definitely the best way to get it to Where are you from Kurdistan.How

are you enjoying your time? Amazing. It is my eighth year here. I have

been eight times, it is really good. Why do you come back? It is great a

great environment. And to come first The carnival has definitely arrived.

The carnival has definitely arrived. How are you enjoying Wales? Enjoying

myself very much. I appreciate it. It is great. Awesome. It's awesome.

I'm really enjoying it. The people waving for us. I really appreciate

How are you enjoying this? It is brilliant. Where are you guys from?

Washington DC. First time in Wales? New Zealand. How has the trip been

so far Long.Are you ready to sing We got here two days ago. Excellent.

We got here two days ago. Excellent. Show me your moves. Let's do some

President, Terry Waite has his own unique way of travelling at the

parade. Terry, how are you? Nice to see you. What a wonderful day.

has to be one of the most special parts of the week, hasn't it?

think so, when we have so many people and all the nations out on

the street. A great occasion You are a little bit big for this car these

days. A bit. It is 1970s. Our old one broke down. Modern cars aren't

as good as they used to be. Lovely to see you. I will let you

get on. All the best, bye. And following the parade, the

International visitors are welcomed to the Pavilion Stage as part of the

Carnival of Nations. 2,400 competitors from 36 countries in the

global town that is clan goth Lin. -- Llangollin. A highlight for me is

the Children's Folk Dance. In this competition, performers from all

over the world were up against not one but two groups from China. We

travelled to Beijing to meet them on their home ground. More about that

later. Here are the top three performances from this colourful

competition. Third place went to the Haidan school from Beijing and this

beautiful dance, pe dicting spring Second place in the Children's Dance

Competition went to the Bayi Middle School also from Beijing. A very

School also from Beijing. A very awarded to the Emerald Isle Irish

Dancers, deemed by the judges to have the more authentic, traditional

have the more authentic, traditional If only we could find a way of

travelling back in time. Something like a time machine or something.

You have a look over here. I will look over here. In 1953 the

Eisteddfod was six years' old. It had been set up in the wake of the

Second World War to rebuild international cultural links, and it

worked. From those early nervous days, visitors came in huge numbers

to enjoy the unique hospitality and to forge life-lasting friendships.

1953 was a special year. The festively welcomed the newly-crowned

Queen which attracted the attention of the world but it was the

outstanding performance by a group of German war orphans that cat

putted the festively to another -- the if hes Taff.

This choir's humble beginnings epitomised the Eisteddfod's dream

that song and dance to be used to heal traditional wounds of conflict

and war. This is the town today. After the Second World War, this

area of north-west Germany was overflowing with orphans and

refugees and two resourceful local women decided to tackle some of the

problems head-on. They provided a home for a dozen children, but they

also set up a choir. Eight children attended the first rehearsal in

1949. Before long, the choir was over 100 strong. But it was their

visit to Llangollen that put them on the world stage. Their song, the

Happy Wanderer, became a kind of signature tune for both the choir

and the festival. It was heard throughout the world that same night

in a BBC Radio broadcast which somehow seemed to touch hearts. The

press loved the story. This choir of young German children seemed to have

succeeded in building international relations, where politicians had

struggled for so long. On their return to Oberkirchen, the community

gave them an overwhelming welcome home party. These two women were

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home party. These two women were Happy Wanderer kept its place in the

record charts for 26 weeks and the choir signed a contract with

Columbia Artists in United States of America. The financial proceeds

secured a new home for the children. When the choir founder died in 1976,

a music school was founded in her memory, in order to safeguard the

choir's existence and to plan for first trip to Wales, they've

received an invitation from the Eisteddfod organisers to attend the

festival. Before leaving they were given a special send-off by the

stage once again, 60 years on, and a Welsh choir, as a tribute, gave

their interpretation of the of The their interpretation of the of The

their interpretation of the of The Happy Wanderer. Qulr Now a break

away from the stage and competitions. Music-making goes on

all over the town during International Eisteddfod week. Here

is a clier from Indonesia singing. is a clier from Indonesia singing.

-- a choir. The group was visiting the

Eisteddfod for the very first time. And travel travelled 7,500 miles to

reach Llangollen. This traditional song describes children playing

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night during the festival, with international stars, including

international stars, including American tenor Noah Stewart. Thank

you very much for sparing the time to talk to us before you go on

stage. My pleasure.Welcome to Llangollen. The first time for you

to be here? It is my debut. It is so special to be here. There is an

energy coming off of every individual here. It is jam-packed

with choirs and dancers and I can't believe that I was just in New York

a couple of days ago. Pavorroti took part when oafs an

unknown. Do you think in years to come, people will be saying - Noah

Stewart, he sang at Llangollen, I heard him. I hope so. He was one of

my idols. I remember studying at school, listening to his voice,

wanting to emulate him. When I got the call that Llangollen was

interested in me singing, I thoughted it was an incredible

experience. I got to hear him live. I will never forget the tone of his

voice. It is one of my favourite range, I would say, but everyone

loves golden old ones. There are a couple of songs there from that

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your physique, that you used to not waste a little. Yes, I was a 42 size

waist, I went on the Atkins diet. My family are from Louisiana in the

South and so there is always a lot of potatoes and meet in the food

with soda. So I cut out a lot of that and it has helped me with my

health and my career. And you arrived earlier than

expected so you could soak in the atmosphere, what are your

impressions so far? The weather has been amazing. I packed jumpers and I

haven't been able to use them. I've got to go for a run along the

canal, it was unbelievable for me. Rapturous applause and a standing

ovation. And I our next, the first prize

and many maestro, were you nervous on the stage? No? You are happy on

the stage and happy to when? Yes. A successful trip to Wales. Yes.I

watched Justin played earlier, I think I could do something special

with a double bass, will you give me some instruction so I can play like

Justin? Can I borrow your base? Walter will like this. -- hold your

ball. And relax. I can't relax. What are the names of the strings?

one is deep. And then go to a. HE SCRATCHES NOTES OUT. Does it

normally takes three people to play twinkle, twinkle, Little Star? Does

it normally takes three people to play twinkle, twinkle, Little Star?

Yes, sure. Yes, sure. Double bass playing is obviously best left to

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And Harold Thomas knows something about singing and competitions, she

won the wire of the world here. -- quire. We sent her halfway round the

world to catch up with competitors coming from China.

Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China. The city's

history dates back over three millennia. This has been the

cultural, political and educational centre. It is famous for a sumptuous

palaces, magnificent gardens and the Olympic Bird nest stadium. And it is

home to a massive population. This is the new China. Buildings are

claiming higher and higher. It is hard to believe that as recent as 20

years ago the bank wrote the rest of Beijing. I have become on behalf of

Llangollen to show you the incredible city sites and introduce

you to choose schools who are coming for the first time ever. The dancers

and singers here will represent rehearsal, it's mind blowing. They

are so flexible, they look like gymnastics team. I love dance

because it gives me the chance to challenge myself and it purifies my

soul. I have been dancing for five years, I cannot be without dancing.

We gain great relationships between all of us, we have become best

friends. The spinning looks easy, I had a shot, it is far, far harder

than it looks. It is obvious to me that the Chinese are prepared to

to see something that is very close to my heart, choral singing, and as

soon as I watched and I could see the love that the conductor had for

the children, and it was mirrored by the love and respect that the

many things from it and gain a lot of friends. I love music because I

have a very helpful teacher and she taught me a lot. I like music

because when I sing with my friends I think I am being loved and I am in

a happy atmosphere. I was lucky to have a chat with judging pink, the

conductor, they had books with numbers unlike the music that we

would see. Does this mean the fifth note of the squeal? Yes.-- scale.

So it is like Sol fa? Yes. Very good. So even though their music

sounds different there are common similarities between how we write

gifts. And we also have this book of wheels which shows you pictures of

where you are going to visit, this is Llangollen. The Bayi Middle

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It was an emotional reunion. Well done!

, could you hear me cheering? Although the school had given out

omitted performance is the first prize went to England and Cantabile

meet some of the stars from Strictly Come Dancing. Is it difficult to be

married and work together all the time? No! Not at all! Yes, the

six-hour journey here was amazing. We have been to Wales before, we did

one last year. And we have danced with Alex Jones, she was Welsh. She

kept on asking for a cuddle in Welsh, and I did not understand her

but now I do. Dancing is physical, do you get jealous when you're

buying is dancing with someone else? Yes sometimes you have to get

physical. I think to say you never get jealous you would be lying.

think jealousy is human nature. When she is weatherman for Peter ten

hours everyday you do get a little bit jealous and touchy. And I'm sure

vice versa, I mean, you wouldn't get evening? Loads of sequins. Only on

me, James doesn't like the sequins. Now, I won't even with a high heels,

I want whether Cuban heels. You were my high heels! That's on a Sunday,

that's different. Do not know if you know but I am a very good dancer

myself will stop headway make that step from exceptionally good amateur

to professional. I heard rumours that you are coming on strict become

dancing next year, but I hope I am not the one that is replaced. --

Strictly Come Dancing. I think you by his wife and daughter, came to

the International Eisteddfod. He had been commissioned to write and

broadcast a series of talks by the BBC, including one on the poet's

experiences here at Llangollen. Well, as part of this year's opening

carnival of nations concert, the audience was transported back to

1953 with actor Robert Pew, reading the immortal words of Dylan Thomas.

An accompanying archive film was enjoyed by the audience Everything

is strange in Llangollen. You wish you wore a scar et hat and bangles

and a bagpipe to call your own, but it doesn't matter. Green-packed

banks run swarming down to the huge marquee there, that groans and

strains and sings in the sudden swauls like an airship full of

choirs. Here they come to this cup and echo of hills. People who love

to make music. From France, Ireland. Norway. Italy. Switzerland. Spain,

and swaels. All countries, shapes, ages and colours. -- and Wales.

Sword dancers, court dancers, cross dancers, Morris, ceilidh, flamenco,

heel and toe. They love to make music move. Then, in the ship of the

tent, under the wind-filled sales, watchers and listeners grow slow and

close into one cloud of shadow. They gaze from the dark into the lighted

deck where the country dancers weave in shifting pallors of light. You

will remember that nobody was surprised that the turn the town

took and the life of danced for one week of the long little year. The

town sang and danced as though it were right and proper as the rainbow

or the sun to celebrate the bright, turning earth and its great people.

Are you surprised that people still can dance and sing in a world on its

head? The only surprising thing about miracles, however small, is

about miracles, however small, is that they sometimes happen. Well,

every competition here is keenly contested. I'm joined by the winners

of the Folk Song Competition, a choir from Russia. They have made

their mark. As well as winning the Folk Choir, they won the Female

Choir Category. This song describes the battle between winter and

the battle between winter and the battle between winter and

Another star of the evening concert was Dame Evelyn glenny. On a night

like this, you are going to get extra warm playing all your

percussion instruments, aren't you? It was a beautiful evening. A

fantastic night for people to be walking around and enjoy a really

nice concert. Very happy to be here. Tell us about your repertoire. What

are you going to be playing? I will be playing a percussion conchert yoe

by Jennifer Higdon. That uses a myriad of instruments. Lots of

different things, bold and sharp different things, bold and sharp

fit to play that long without stopping. Actually, any musicians

needs to be resupple indeed and the body really needs to be kind of very

flexible and supple and you need to be very adaptable to the situations.

The rooms you are in and the atmosphere. You have an amazing

personal collection of percussion instruments. Is there any percussion

instrument that you haven't played? Yes. Probably hundreds and hundreds.

Within the percussion family, even within my lifetime I wouldn't be

able to address or come across them all. At home I have over 1,800

instruments. Ranging from tiny to the largest in the world. So, it's

quite an array of instruments. But, nevertheless, you know, it is just a

fantastic hobby that happens to be fantastic hobby that happens to be

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Hundreds of children have travelled here to Llangollen to enjoy a

matinee performance. The highlight was a futuristic piece by Welsh

composer Gareth Glynn, narrated by composer Gareth Glynn, narrated by

Danny Graham. Special crew, welcome aboard the first starship powered by

music, SP M1. We'll now have a systems check of the various drives

to see that they're all working at to see that they're all working at

maximum efficiency. Systems check Red drive, verified. Would it be

fair to me that it is a piece inspired by Benjamin Brittens a

young Person's Guide to the Orchestra? It would.

Orchestra? It would. Five, four, three, two, one. Zero.

I said we'll turn it into a space adventure. Now, that's still popular

with kids. We said - OK we will change the pavilion or hall into the

interior of a starship. That will be powered by music and that's the SP

M1. Starship powered by music number 1. Clap your hands to the rhythm

you'll hear. THEY CLAP.

Stamp your feet in the rhythm you'll hear. They stamp their feet If there

is a need to introduce the Orchestra to children, which there is, this

goes a long way to fulfilling that. Stand by for three bells. Initiate

high-pitch whistle check. Is What did you think the

performance? Very good. Very interactive with the kids What was

interactive? They did stuff like telling the kids to do the code and

things. It was really fun. In one word what will you say Epic.

Phenomenal Mazing. Out of this world. OK, four words, then! The

piece was performed by the BBC BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conduct

conducted by Grant Llewellyn. a gem. Gareth Glynn is just a

brilliant mind and a genius composer. It is the combination of

the skill and the craft and the invention and keeping kids involved.

It is complex. He is way ahead of his time How important do you think

it is that the BBC BBC National Orchestra of Wales perform to

children? I think we are the national Orchestra as well as the

BBC Orchestra. A brief part of a mission, as part of it, I think we

have a responsibility to reach out to every section of the community,

to every section of the community, old, young, even the middle-aged.

audiences of all ages enjoyed the Doctor Who theme, performed by the

APPLAUSE One person who certainly knows how

to get the best out of a choir is Tim Rees Evans founder of Only

Machine aloud. They have had huge success winning the BBC's Last Choir

Standing. Tim when you take to the stage tonight it has been billed as

your last performance. What is happening with the choir? We are

changing the way we work. We're radically restructuring. It is very

important we don't stand still. We look to the future and keep things

fresh. I wouldn't say it is our last performance altogether. I would

never say never. But certainly it is the last for the time being, when we

are going to get as many Only Men Alouders on stage. We've had the

best time. We've had a wonderful five years since winning Last Choir

Standing. It has been 13 years since the choir started. We can't can

complien. It is going to be emotional. -- we can't complain. I

think I will need to be scooped off the stage at the end. It is nice to

be here in this Centre of musical and cultural excellence, to be

having one last time together. you feel that evolution, really?

That you have to keep moving, otherwise you will stagnate? I think

so, certainly. And when you are doing any international travel and

things like that, just the logistics are very difficult. So we are taking

this radical step. Who knows if it is going to work. But I think if we

kept on doing the same thing, people would have got bored of us. We would

have become bored and this is' something I don't think anyone in

the arts can do, to stand still. Tonight is going to be very special.

I'm grateful we can have this experience tonight here in

Llangollen. An emotional night for Only Men Aloud. Here they are,

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Only Men Aloud. Here they are, competition. It is quite good for a

Welsh group to win this wearing Welsh wool on a day like this.

Yes, it was and testament to our stamina. We have come back from

Korea. They recognised the costume. It is nice to come back to Wales and

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It is nice to come back to Wales and Nantgarw. And here is another

performance from further afield. No Cuban celebration would be complete

without the Buena Vista social club bringing a touch of party atmosphere

This year sees the anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi. We are seeing a

performance of his requiem, they are rehearsing for it just pay me. --

just behind me. The main soloist is this man, Hugh years 13 years ago

winning international singing prize. pleasure. It is a big is bass and

peace, it's going to be fun. It is one of the most dramatic readings of

the requiem that I have ever experienced. And Llangollen is very

close to your heart. Very much so, it is where I made my British name.

I was a young student here when I came before. I had some success and

it was great. Some success? You one! Yes, I managed to drag that trophy

all the way back to New Zealand. It sits on my parents house. Included

in the choir is the Adelaide singers. Verdi's Requiem is just an

amazing piece, everything about it is just incredible. And discussing

with the conductor for this evening he told us that Verdi was very known

for his prose, but the Requiem is really the pinnacle. I think we can

go when with lots of positive energy and really bring it to the

performance. Absolutely and it is such a huge work to sing. We need

at historic times, but at home with a group of young people and an

amateur chorus is still actually celebrating the best things about

Welsh culture. We produce things through our own culture that go

through to the professional world. People go on to perform these great

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whole festival with the Choir of the World competition, it takes the best

choirs from each category and makes them compete for the ultimate title.

This is one of the adjudicators. You are far from being as stranger to

Llangollen, you were a very familiar face here having one year for Jeroen

choir from South Africa back in 2006. How much hard work goes into

preparing for a competition like this? -- your own required. What you

see is the tip of the iceberg, behind-the-scenes you rehearse for

hours under difficult circumstances, the conductor is both

psychologists and musician, you have a team thing going

behind-the-scenes. When those things are going in place, the audience

will experience a beautiful coming together of all of those skills, and

hopefully something more, a little bit of magic from the eyes that

reaches out to the audience and changes our lives. Do you think that

choir is changed by performing at Llangollen? Music changes people 's

lives of course, but having seen competitors from all over the world

doing their best, you learn from them and you try to better yourself

next time. Many choir is actually do come back because they love this

experience. It is an intoxicating experience. You talk about music

changing people 's lives, you know it is relevant for you in South

Africa, especially right now. yes. It sets the scenes for the bill

from different cultures, like in my country, to come together for us --

to come together. You get more eggs was -- possibilities of exploration.

You become willing to open yourself to new possibilities. And so to the

climax, the Choir of the World. You have been following it. Yes and it

was very close. But for the Adelaide singers, what did you think?

Technically almost perfect but for me the performance was a little bit

too technical. I covered wasn't being a performance but more an

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Kantilena from the Czech Republic. The blind was lovely but they chose

some repertoire that I thought was too mature for their voices. --

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Choir. They sang beautifully, the operatic sense was more up my

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Choir of Russia. -- Solomonic. hats! They didn't do anything wrong

but I wonder if the adjudicators like the second song, it was more

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beat a male voice choir and the Male voice choir. You cannot beat a male

voice choir in Wales, they were at their strongest when they sang

traditional male voice choir music. In Wales, they were at their

strongest when they sang traditional jackets off and we had a touch of

only men aloud. I am not sure what the best decision of the night. Not

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to your taste. THEY SING "THERE'S really. You must be thrilled.