Ellis, Osian - Crefft Unigryw / The Unique Art of Osian Ellis - CD

Description

Osian Ellis is regarded not only as an international harpist of high acclaim but also as one of the most notable musicians of the 20th century. Born in Flintshire and raised in Denbighshire, Osian started playing the harp at a young age as a pupil of Alwena Roberts, ‘Telynores Iâl'. Aged 17 he was awarded the Joseph Parry Scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music & was eventually appointed Professor of Harp there, a post he held for over 30 years. In 1960 he was appointed as Principal Harp of the LSO, & the next 30 years would see him performing extensively with the orchestra, as a soloist, and with the renowned Melos Ensemble. Many leading composers, including William Mathias and Alun Hoddinott, composed works especially for Osian, and he also worked closely with Benjamin Britten, who composed the harp parts in many of his works with Osian in mind. In his own compositions, Osian draws on his Welsh musical heritage: his works include settings of Welsh folksongs for tenor & harp, & settings of medieval Welsh strict metre poems as well as his Diversions for two harps. This CD release celebrates his 90th year with tracks from the archives & 3 newly released pieces. Sain, 2018

Ravel - Introduction et Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet – with Melos Ensemble members, 1962.

Trad. Welsh arr. Ellis - Hen Garol Gymreig (Trymder) / Hela'r Sgyfarnog (Hunting the Hare) / Fenyw Fwyn (Sweet Maiden) [Welsh Suite for Cello & Harp] – with David Ffrangcon Thomas (cello), 1955.

Handel - Concerto in F op.4 no.5 – with the Philomusica of London, 1960.

Trad. Welsh arr. Ellis - Nos Galan (Deck the Halls) – with the Vienna Boys' Choir, 1979.

Ellis & Williams - Hiraeth am Batagonia (Blaenhafren), 1990

Britten – Interlude [Ceremony of Carols], 1979.

Trad. Welsh arr. Ellis - Cân yr Ychen (Song of the Oxen), 1955.

Trad. Welsh arr. Ellis - Lisa Lân, 1955.

Ellis - Penillion; Y Sipsi: Llwyn Onn (The Gypsy: Ash Grove), 1955.

Mathias - Improvisations for Harp op.10, 1990.

Ellis - Clymau Cytgerdd i ddwy delyn / Diversions for two harps: Chwarae Mig / Chasing, Canu Penillion / Descanting & Hel Straeon / Gossiping, 1990

Trad. Welsh arr. Ellis - Baled Boddi Cwch Enlli yn 1822 (Ballad of the Sinking of the Bardsey Boat), 2018.

Trad. Welsh arr. Ellis - Leusa Lân, 2018.

Ellis - Penillion; And Death Shall Have No Dominion : Cainc y / Air of the Gododdin, 2018.