Osian Ellis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Osian Ellis
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Portrait of Ellis by David Griffiths (1998)
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Osian Gwynn Ellis
8 February 1928 Ffynnongroew, Flintshire, Wales
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| Died | 5 January 2021 (aged 92) |
| Education | Royal Academy of Music |
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Osian Gwynn Ellis (born February 8, 1928 – died January 5, 2021) was a famous Welsh harp player, composer, and teacher. He was known for his amazing talent with the harp. He played as the main harpist for the London Symphony Orchestra. He also helped start a music group called the Melos Ensemble. For many years, he taught the harp at the Royal Academy of Music. Many composers wrote special music just for him. He worked closely with the famous composer Benjamin Britten for a long time.
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Osian Ellis's Musical Journey
Osian Gwynn Ellis was born in Ffynnongroew, Flintshire, Wales, in 1928. His father was a minister, and his mother was a harpist. Osian loved playing the harp from a young age. He also enjoyed playing football! He once said that people thought he was better at football than the harp.
He mostly taught himself to play the harp at first. His mother encouraged him a lot. They even played small concerts together during the war. He also had a great teacher named Alwena Roberts. She taught students all over North Wales.
Studying and Performing
Osian Ellis went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music. He learned from a teacher named Gwendolen Mason. Later, he took over her job and became a harp professor there. He taught from 1959 to 1989.
In 1961, he joined the London Symphony Orchestra. He became their main harpist. He even played in some big shows at the London Palladium. He also played on the original Goon Shows radio program. This show starred famous comedians like Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers. He even received royalty checks from the show years later!
Osian Ellis was also a founding member of the Melos Ensemble. This was a group of musicians who played together. He also started his own group called the Osian Ellis Harp Ensemble.
Famous Recordings
In 1959, Osian Ellis recorded some harp concertos by George Frideric Handel. This recording won a special award called the Grand Prix du Disque. In 1962, the Melos Ensemble, with Osian Ellis, recorded a famous piece by Maurice Ravel. Many people think their version of Ravel's Introduction and Allegro is the best ever.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Osian Ellis received a special honor in 1971. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This is a high award in the United Kingdom.
He was also the Honorary President of the Wales International Harp Festival. In 2018, the festival honored him for his 90th birthday. A new piece of music was played to celebrate him.
A picture of Osian Ellis with another musician, Peter Pears, is kept in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Osian Ellis's Legacy
Osian Ellis passed away on January 5, 2021, at 92 years old. Elinor Bennett, who directs the Wales International Harp Festival, said he inspired many musicians. She said he was a very important harpist of his time. He was also a teacher, composer, and scholar.
He encouraged many composers to write new music for the harp. These composers came from Wales and other countries. He also wrote important books about the history of the harp in Wales. He appeared on many TV and radio shows.
Working with Benjamin Britten
Osian Ellis is especially famous for working with the composer Benjamin Britten. Their partnership started in 1959. Britten often wrote harp parts in his music with Osian Ellis in mind. Some of these famous works include A Midsummer Night's Dream and the War Requiem.
Britten also wrote a special piece called Harp Suite, Op. 83, just for Osian Ellis in 1969. Osian Ellis played in many first recordings of Britten's music. Sometimes, Britten himself conducted these recordings.
His Own Music and Books
Osian Ellis also wrote his own music. His compositions often used traditional Welsh folksongs. He also set medieval Welsh poems to music. One of his pieces, Diversions, for two harps, included a setting of Dylan Thomas's poem "And death shall have no dominion".
He also wrote books. His book The Story of the Harp in Wales was published in 1991. This book talks about how the harp developed over time. It also tells about some famous harp players.
Recordings
- Franck: Sonata for Violin and Piano; Debussy: Sonatas; Ravel: Introduction and Allegro, 1988, London/Decca
- Masterworks for the Harp, 1993, Boston Skyline
- Diversions, 1994, Sain
- Mathias: Clarinet Concerto; Harp Concerto; Piano Concerto, 1995, Lyrita
- Harp Concertos, 1997, London
- 17th & 18th-Century Harp Music, 2008, L'Oiseau-Lyre
- 19th & 20th-Century Harp Music, 2008, L'Oiseau-Lyre
- Debussy & Ravel: String Quartets; Cello Sonata; Introduction & Allegro, 2016, Alto
- Songs with Harp, Eloquence
- Handel: Jephtha; Rodrigo; Concertos for Lute & Harp; Concerto Grosso, HWV 318, Decca/Eloquence
