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{{Short description|Welsh harpist, composer, and teacher (1928–2021)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2012}} {{Use British English|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox person
'''Osian Gwynn Ellis''' ] (born 8 February 1928) is a ] ]ist and composer, known as the first harpist of the ] and for his musical association with ].
| name = Osian Ellis
| honorific suffix = {{Post-nominals|size=100%|CBE}}
| image = Osian Ellis.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Portrait of Ellis by ] (1998)
| birth_name = Osian Gwynn Ellis
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1928|02|08}}
| birth_place = ], ], Wales
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|2021|01|05|1928|02|08}}
| death_place =
| occupation = {{plainlist|
* Harpist
* Composer
* Academic teacher
}}
| education = ]
| organizations = {{plainlist|
* Royal Academy of Music
* ]
* ]
* Wales International Harp Festival
}}
| awards =
| website =
}}


'''Osian Gwynn Ellis'''<ref name="CGWM" /> {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|CBE|size=100%}} (8 February 1928 – 5 January 2021<ref></ref>) was a ] ]ist, composer and teacher. He was principal harpist of the ], a founding member of the ], and a harp teacher at the ]. Many composers wrote music for him. From 1959 onwards, Ellis had a close professional partnership with ] that lasted to the latter's death. He often first performed and recorded Britten's works.
].]]


==Career== == Career ==
Osian Gwynn Ellis was born in ], ],<ref name="Griffiths" /> in 1928, the son of the Rev. Tomos Ellis, a ] minister, and his wife Jenny (née Lewis), a harpist,<ref name="Telegraph" /> and spent the first four years of his life at Llys Myfr on Llinegr Hill.<ref name="CGWM" /> As a boy Ellis was obsessed with playing the harp and playing football. In 2018 he recalled: "I chose the harp because we had one at home. My mother, Jennie, was a good amateur harpist. We did spend some years living in ] and I was the goalkeeper for ]. I taught myself to play the harp to some degree and was encouraged by my mother."<ref name="nation"/>
Osian Ellis was born in ], ] in ]. He studied at the ] with ], whom he later succeeded as Professor of Harp from 1959 to 1989. He joined the ] in 1961 and was Principal Harpist. He was a member of the ] and also formed the Osian Ellis Harp Ensemble.


He studied at the ] with ], whom he later succeeded as Professor of Harp from 1959 to 1989.<ref name="Griffiths" /><ref name="Telegraph" /> He joined the ] in 1961 and became principal harpist.<ref name="Telegraph" /> He recalled: "I did two ]s in the pit at the ] involving ] and many other top stars. I also joined the ] and we played on the original '']'' starring ], ] and ] and, for a short time, ]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nation.cymru/culture/tributes-to-welsh-harp-legend-osian-ellis-who-passed-away-aged-92/|title=Tributes to Welsh harp legend Osian Ellis who passed away aged 92|date=15 January 2021}}</ref> He was a founding member of the ]<ref name="Telegraph" /> and also formed the Osian Ellis Harp Ensemble.<ref name="Chadbourne" />
His 1959 recording of ] harp concertos (with ]) won the ]. In 1962, the ] with Osian Ellis released what is considered by musicologist Paul Loeber the finest rendition ever of Ravel's '']'', playing with ] (flute), ] (clarinet), ] and ] (]), ] (]) and ] (]).<ref name="EMI"> ]</ref> The record, released on the L'oiseau-Lyre label, OL 50217, also included works by three other French composers — ]: Sonata for Flute, Viola & Harp; ]: Serenade for Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello and Harp; and ]: ''Prelude, Marine and Chansons'' for Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello and Harp. He also took part in the ensemble's recording of ]'s ] ''Leopardi Fragments''.<ref name="EMI" />


Ellis's 1959 recording of ] harp concertos (with ]) won the ]. In 1962, the Melos Ensemble with Ellis released what is considered by musicologist Paul Loeber the finest rendition ever of ]'s '']'',<ref name="CGWM" /> playing with flautist ], clarinettist ], violinists ] and ], violist ] and cellist ].<ref name="EMI"> ]</ref> The record, released on the ], OL&nbsp;50217, included works by three other French composers — ]: Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp; ]: Serenade for Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello and Harp; and ]: ''Prelude, Marine and Chansons'' for Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello and Harp. He also took part in the ensemble's recording of ]'s ] ''Leopardi Fragments''.<ref name="EMI" />
Ellis was made ] in 1971. He is the Honorary President of the ].<ref></ref>

==Honours and awards==
Ellis was made ] in 1971.

He was the Honorary President of the ]<ref name="CGWM" /> and in 2018 was honoured at the festival, in ], when a new work was premiered to celebrate his 90th birthday.<ref name="nation">{{Cite web|url=https://nation.cymru/culture/tributes-to-welsh-harp-legend-osian-ellis-who-passed-away-aged-92/|title=Tributes to Welsh harp legend Osian Ellis who passed away aged 92|date=15 January 2021|website=Nation.Cymru}}</ref>

A portrait of Ellis with ] by photographer ] is held in the collection of the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Osian Gwynn Ellis - Person - National Portrait Gallery |url=https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp70779 |website=National Portrait Gallery, London |access-date=4 February 2021}}</ref>


==Influence on other musicians== ==Influence on other musicians==
Concertos have been written specially for him by ] (for the ] Festival in 1957), ] (for the ] Festival of 1970), ] (1972), ] (1979) and ] (1985). Concertos were written for him by Alun Hoddinott (for the ] in 1957), William Mathias (for the ] Festival of 1970), Jørgen Jersild (1972), ] (1979) and Robin Holloway (1985).<ref name="Griffiths" /><ref name="CGWM" /><ref name="Naxos" />


Ellis is particularly known for his musical association with ], with whom he collaborated extensively. Britten wrote the harp part in several of his major pieces with Ellis in mind, particularly '']'', the '']'' and the Church Parables. Britten also wrote his ''Harp Suite'' (Op. 83) for Ellis (1969). In the last few years of Britten's life, when he could no longer accompany ] on the piano, Britten wrote pieces for Pears and Ellis, including ] and '']''.<ref></ref> Ellis appears in many first recordings of Britten's pieces, often with Britten himself conducting. Ellis is particularly known for his musical association with ], with whom he collaborated extensively. Their relationship began when Ellis was the harpist in a performance of '']'' in London on 4 January 1959, conducted by ], which resulted in an invitation to play at the ] the following year.<ref name="Telegraph" /> Britten wrote the harp part in several of his major pieces with Ellis in mind, particularly '']'', the '']'' and the ]. Britten also wrote his ''Harp Suite'', Op. 83, for Ellis in 1969.<ref name="CGWM" /> Ellis appeared in many first recordings of Britten's pieces, often with Britten himself conducting.<ref name="CGWM" /> When Britten had to withdraw, due to heart surgery, from accompanying his partner, the tenor ], on the piano, Ellis came to accompany Pears, and Britten wrote new pieces for them,<ref name="Telegraph" /> including ] (1974) and '']'' (1975).<ref name="Naxos" /><ref name="Chadbourne" />


==Compositions and writings== == Compositions and writings ==
His own compositions have drawn on his Welsh heritage, including settings of Welsh folksongs for tenor and harp and settings of medieval Welsh ] poems. ''Diversions'' for two harps includes a '']'' setting of a ] poem. Ellis's own compositions drew on his Welsh heritage, including settings of ] for tenor and harp and settings of medieval Welsh ] poems.<ref name="Chadbourne" /> ''Diversions'' for two harps includes a '']'' setting of ]' poem "]".<ref> theharpstudio.co.uk</ref>


His writings include ''The Story of the Harp in Wales'' (1991) ISBN 0-7083-1104-0 (a revision of an earlier publication in Welsh), which traces the harp's development and discusses some famous harpists. His writings include ''The Story of the Harp in Wales'' (1991) {{ISBN|0-7083-1104-0}} (a revision of an earlier publication in Welsh), which traces the harp's development and discusses some famous harpists.<ref name="CGWM" /><ref name="Chadbourne" />


==References== ==Discography==
<small>Source:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/osian-ellis-mn0000104373/discography|title=Osian Ellis &#124; Album Discography|website=AllMusic}}</ref></small>
{{commons category}}
* ''Franck: Sonata for Violin and Piano; Debussy: Sonatas; Ravel: Introduction and Allegro'', 1988, ]/]
<references/>
* ''Masterworks for the Harp'', 1993, Boston Skyline
* ''The Oxford Dictionary of Music'' (1994)
* ''Diversions'', 1994, ]
*
* ''Mathias: Clarinet Concerto; Harp Concerto; Piano Concerto,'' 1995, ]
* ''Harp Concertos'', 1997, London
* ''17th & 18th-Century Harp Music'', 2008, ]
* ''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<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eloquenceclassics.com/releases/handel-jephtha-rodrigo-concertos-for-lute-and-harp/ |title=Handel: Jephtha; Rodrigo; Concertos for Lute and Harp |publisher=eloquenceclassics.com |access-date=17 January 2021}}</ref>


== References ==
{{Authority control}}
{{reflist
| refs =

<ref name="Chadbourne">{{cite web
| last = Chadbourne
| first = Eugene
| url = https://www.allmusic.com/artist/osian-ellis-mn0000104373/biography
| title = Osian Ellis
| website = AllMusic
| access-date = 16 January 2021
}}</ref>

<ref name="Griffiths">{{cite encyclopedia
| last = Griffiths
| first = Ann
| url = https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.08736
| title = Ellis, Osian
| encyclopedia = Oxford Music Online
| year = 2001
| doi = 10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.08736
| access-date = 16 January 2021
}}</ref>

<ref name="CGWM">{{cite web
| url = https://cgwm.org.uk/en/2021/osian-ellis-1928-2021/
| title = Osian Ellis (1928–2021
| website = cgwm.org.uk
| date = 15 January 2021
| access-date = 15 January 2021
}}</ref>

<ref name="Naxos">{{cite web
| url = http://www.naxos.com/artistinfo/188.htm
| title = Osian Ellis
| publisher = ]
| access-date = 15 January 2021
}}</ref>

<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news
| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2021/01/15/osian-ellis-harpist-known-association-benjamin-britten-peter/
| title = Osian Ellis, harpist known for his association with Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears – obituary
| date = 15 January 2021
| newspaper = ]
| access-date = 15 January 2021
}}</ref>


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
| NAME = Ellis, Osian
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = British musician
| DATE OF BIRTH = 8 February 1928
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}} }}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* – Bach Cantatas Website
* Warner, Matt: , ''The Leader'', 15 January 2021
* {{discogs artist}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ellis, Osian}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ellis, Osian}}
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Latest revision as of 17:46, 28 August 2024

Welsh harpist, composer, and teacher (1928–2021)

Osian EllisCBE
Portrait of Ellis by David Griffiths (1998)
BornOsian Gwynn Ellis
(1928-02-08)8 February 1928
Ffynnongroew, Flintshire, Wales
Died5 January 2021(2021-01-05) (aged 92)
EducationRoyal Academy of Music
Occupations
  • Harpist
  • Composer
  • Academic teacher
Organizations

Osian Gwynn Ellis CBE (8 February 1928 – 5 January 2021) was a Welsh harpist, composer and teacher. He was principal harpist of the London Symphony Orchestra, a founding member of the Melos Ensemble, and a harp teacher at the Royal Academy of Music. Many composers wrote music for him. From 1959 onwards, Ellis had a close professional partnership with Benjamin Britten that lasted to the latter's death. He often first performed and recorded Britten's works.

Career

Osian Gwynn Ellis was born in Ffynnongroew, Flintshire, in 1928, the son of the Rev. Tomos Ellis, a Welsh Methodist minister, and his wife Jenny (née Lewis), a harpist, and spent the first four years of his life at Llys Myfr on Llinegr Hill. As a boy Ellis was obsessed with playing the harp and playing football. In 2018 he recalled: "I chose the harp because we had one at home. My mother, Jennie, was a good amateur harpist. We did spend some years living in Denbigh and I was the goalkeeper for Denbigh County School. I taught myself to play the harp to some degree and was encouraged by my mother."

He studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Gwendolen Mason, whom he later succeeded as Professor of Harp from 1959 to 1989. He joined the London Symphony Orchestra in 1961 and became principal harpist. He recalled: "I did two Royal Variety Performances in the pit at the London Palladium involving Bob Hope and many other top stars. I also joined the Wally Stott Orchestra and we played on the original Goon Shows starring Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers and, for a short time, Michael Bentine." He was a founding member of the Melos Ensemble and also formed the Osian Ellis Harp Ensemble.

Ellis's 1959 recording of Handel's harp concertos (with Thurston Dart) won the Grand Prix du Disque. In 1962, the Melos Ensemble with Ellis released what is considered by musicologist Paul Loeber the finest rendition ever of Ravel's Introduction and Allegro, playing with flautist Richard Adeney, clarinettist Gervase de Peyer, violinists Emanuel Hurwitz and Ivor McMahon, violist Cecil Aronowitz and cellist Terence Weil. The record, released on the L'Oiseau-Lyre label, OL 50217, included works by three other French composers — Debussy: Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp; Albert Roussel: Serenade for Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello and Harp; and Guy Ropartz: Prelude, Marine and Chansons for Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello and Harp. He also took part in the ensemble's recording of Peter Maxwell Davies's cantata Leopardi Fragments.

Honours and awards

Ellis was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1971.

He was the Honorary President of the Wales International Harp Festival and in 2018 was honoured at the festival, in Caernarfon, when a new work was premiered to celebrate his 90th birthday.

A portrait of Ellis with Peter Pears by photographer Nigel Luckhurst is held in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Influence on other musicians

Concertos were written for him by Alun Hoddinott (for the Cheltenham Festival in 1957), William Mathias (for the Llandaff Festival of 1970), Jørgen Jersild (1972), William Alwyn (1979) and Robin Holloway (1985).

Ellis is particularly known for his musical association with Benjamin Britten, with whom he collaborated extensively. Their relationship began when Ellis was the harpist in a performance of A Ceremony of Carols in London on 4 January 1959, conducted by George Malcolm, which resulted in an invitation to play at the Aldeburgh Festival the following year. Britten wrote the harp part in several of his major pieces with Ellis in mind, particularly A Midsummer Night's Dream, the War Requiem and the church parables. Britten also wrote his Harp Suite, Op. 83, for Ellis in 1969. Ellis appeared in many first recordings of Britten's pieces, often with Britten himself conducting. When Britten had to withdraw, due to heart surgery, from accompanying his partner, the tenor Peter Pears, on the piano, Ellis came to accompany Pears, and Britten wrote new pieces for them, including Canticle V: The Death of St Narcissus (1974) and A Birthday Hansel (1975).

Compositions and writings

Ellis's own compositions drew on his Welsh heritage, including settings of Welsh folksongs for tenor and harp and settings of medieval Welsh strict metre poems. Diversions for two harps includes a cerdd dant setting of Dylan Thomas' poem "And death shall have no dominion".

His writings include The Story of the Harp in Wales (1991) ISBN 0-7083-1104-0 (a revision of an earlier publication in Welsh), which traces the harp's development and discusses some famous harpists.

Discography

Source:

  • 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

References

  1. ^ "Osian Ellis (1928–2021". cgwm.org.uk. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  2. The obituary notice of Osian ELLIS
  3. ^ Griffiths, Ann (2001). "Ellis, Osian". Oxford Music Online. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.08736. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Osian Ellis, harpist known for his association with Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears – obituary". The Telegraph. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Tributes to Welsh harp legend Osian Ellis who passed away aged 92". Nation.Cymru. 15 January 2021.
  6. "Tributes to Welsh harp legend Osian Ellis who passed away aged 92". 15 January 2021.
  7. ^ Chadbourne, Eugene. "Osian Ellis". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  8. ^ Melos Ensemble – Music among Friends EMI
  9. "Osian Gwynn Ellis - Person - National Portrait Gallery". National Portrait Gallery, London. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Osian Ellis". Naxos Records. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  11. Diversions – Osian Ellis theharpstudio.co.uk
  12. "Osian Ellis | Album Discography". AllMusic.
  13. "Handel: Jephtha; Rodrigo; Concertos for Lute and Harp". eloquenceclassics.com. Retrieved 17 January 2021.

External links

Categories: