Protheroe was a Welsh born composer. At the young age of nineteen, he emigrated from the Swansea valley, his birth place, and settled in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the then epicentre of Welsh-America.
Unlike so many who went to Scranton, Daniel Protheroe did not become a miner, iron worker or labourer, but immediately established a successful career as an international musician – as a conductor, educator, adjudicator, singer, author, and most importantly, as a composer.
The start of the Allegro is all about youth and vitality.
SAMPLE: In the Cambrian Hills - Allegro
The final section brings back all three elements in a unified whole.
In the Cambrian Hills - 1904
This symphonic poem was his only orchestral work. The rest of his musical output, apart from a little chamber music, is for the voice, especially choral music for the church.
In the Cambrian Hills was written in 1904 the year after he received his Doctor of Music from New York University.
The slow introduction starts with a folorn melody in the cellos which grows quite beautifuuly.
This opening is like one enormous, gradual crescendo to a climax which then fades to an equally balanced diminuendo.
SAMPLE: In the Cambrian Hills - Introduction - Andante
The start of the Allegro is all about youth and vitality.
SAMPLE: In the Cambrian Hills - AllegroThe music calms down and enters a slower, grander section with wonderful modulations. We are definitely in the heart of the mountains here and at the heart of this tone poem.
SAMPLE: In the Cambrian Hills - middle section
The final section brings back all three elements in a unified whole.
SAMPLE: In the Cambrian Hills - ending
Protheroe memorial in Ystradgynlais, Wales