Ar hyn of bryd mae'r cynnwys hwn ar gael yn Saesneg yn unig.
Ar hyn of bryd mae'r cynnwys hwn ar gael yn Saesneg yn unig.
Ar hyn of bryd mae'r cynnwys hwn ar gael yn Saesneg yn unig.
hyrwyddo a dathlu cerddoriaeth Cymru
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profile by Geoff Atkins
Thomas James Powell 1897-1965
One of a number of composers associated with a single medium, Thomas James Powell devoted his life to the music of brass bands.
Born in Tredegar in October 1897, young Tom joined the local Salvation Army corps, where he learned to play drums and became the youngest member of the band formed to play at the funeral of the Army’s founder, General William Booth. Later, having learned the cornet and played with Tredegar Town Band, he pursued his musical ambitions in the Royal Marines, rising to become Bandmaster at HMS Nelson.
In 1920, returning to his homeland, TJ (as he became universally known) was appointed conductor of the Melingriffith Volunteer and Cadet Corps Band in Whitchurch, Cardiff. Recounting that event 30 years later in an annual report, he described finding: 'a band of eleven players, little or no funds, in the main a poor lot of instruments, a library which had hardly an item complete, and uniforms for some but not for others'. Nevertheless, there was: 'plenty of enthusiasm and a willingness to be led'.
Despite having little experience of running an amateur band, within six months he had filled every seat and set Melingriffith on a path that would see them rise to Championship status within a decade. Although expecting the best from his players, he was a pragmatist, never demanding more than his charges could achieve; with virtuosi in short supply, ambitious metronome markings were sometimes subtly moderated to accommodate ability. With his military background, however, he was completely uncompromising in standards of deportment and presentation. Thus it was that Melingriffith gained a reputation for being the smartest band in the public eye and rightly famed for precision marching. Powell himself always wore an immaculate frock coat on formal occasions.
Conducting apart, TJ was in great demand as a contest adjudicator and, importantly, a prolific composer and arranger. Much of his output consisted of small-scale works: waltzes, instrumental solos, quartets, etc, but Powell is most famous for his 50 marches which earned him the sobriquet 'The Welsh Sousa'. Some of his works were written and titled for specific occasions, a number were never published, and a few have sadly been lost forever. However, his marches, not least the 'Castell' series, have enjoyed enduring popularity and are famous throughout the world. Powell’s more substantial works included Snowdon Fantasy, published in 1956 and frequently used as a test piece in competitions at home and abroad. His footnote to this Ode to the Welsh Mountain asserted that bands 'should enjoy playing the music' – because 'it was written to give them pleasure'. One occasionally wonders if some more contemporary composers have always adopted a similar philosophy.
Although Tom Powell’s first commitment was always to Melingriffith Band, his prominence also led to his accepting many engagements as professional coach and conductor elsewhere. For example, he often travelled to the Forest of Dean, for whose local bands he composed a number of dedicated works. Sadly, in later years this lifestyle was to prove incompatible with his failing health, and his story concluded dramatically on 29th January 1965 when he was to be guest conductor of Cory Band, who had been pitted against Luton Band in the live radio contest Challenging Brass. Seated in the BBC’s Charles Street Studio in Cardiff, Cory waited for the London announcer to draw for the order of play. Upon hearing that they were to perform first, Powell collapsed with a heart attack, and died while the band continued resolutely under the baton of the principal cornet player. It was as if destiny had written the post-script for a man who had devoted his life to the cause he loved, and who, in turn, was loved and respected by all.
Powell is most famous for his 50 marches which earned him the sobriquet 'The Welsh Sousa'.
SELECTED WORKS
▶ Castell Coch (march)
▶ The Bombardier (march)
▶ The Spaceman (march)
▶ The Tops (cornet quintet)
Memories of TJ
Read Geoff Atkins' account of playing in TJ Powell's band
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TJ Powell and Melingriffith Band in 1928
TJ POWELL'S GLOBAL REPUTATION
Powell's marches remain hugely popular around the world and are performed from the USA to Switzerland and even in Uganda.
Geoff Atkins is a retired senior sound engineer, once responsible for the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra and later a freelance specialising in music broadcasts. Boasting a 100-year family history with Melingriffith Band, he remains a player and is now President of the City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) Brass Band Organisation.
Read Geoff's personal recollections in Memories of TJ