W. S. Gwynn Williams
Encyclopedia
William Stanley Gwynn Williams (April 4, 1896–1978) was a musician and composer, also lecturer, author, editor and broadcaster on the history of British
and in particular Welsh
music. He was prominent in the foundation of the International Eisteddfod
at Llangollen
in 1947 and become its first musical director.
W. S. Gwynn Williams was born at Plas Hafod, Llangollen
, the son of the musician W. Pencerdd Williams. He started playing the piano
and violin
when he was very young and began composing in his teens. When he was 17 he became an Associate of the Tonic Sol-Fa College of Music
in London
. From 1922 to 1929 he edited the periodical Y Cerddor Newydd (The New Musician); from 1923 he was Director of Music for the Gorsedd of Bards of the National Eisteddfod
; from 1933-1957 he was secretary of the Welsh Folk Song Society and become the Society's chairman in 1957. He was editor of the Society's Journal for thirty years from 1946. In 1937 he founded the Gwynn Publishing Company with the aim to increase the repertoire of traditionally inspired vocal and choral music.
He was married to Elizabeth Eleanor, and he died in 1978.
Among the many collections of folk-songs and music published by Gwynn Williams are: Old Welsh Folk-songs (1927); Caneuon Traddodiadol y Cymry (Vol 1: 1961, Vol 2: 1963); Welsh National Music and Dance (four editions: 1932 to 1971) and Harp Tunes of Wales (1962). His compositions include: Tosturi Duw (God's Mercy) (1943), My Little Welsh Home, Breuddwyd Glyndwr (Glendower's Dream) (1950), Dawns y Medelwyr (Harvester's Dance) (1940) and Welsh Playbook (1925).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and in particular Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
music. He was prominent in the foundation of the International Eisteddfod
International Eisteddfod
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a music festival which takes place every year during the second week of July in Llangollen, North Wales. Singers and dancers from around the world are invited to take part in over 20 high quality competitions followed each evening by concerts where...
at Llangollen
Llangollen
Llangollen is a small town and community in Denbighshire, north-east Wales, situated on the River Dee and on the edge of the Berwyn mountains. It has a population of 3,412.-History:...
in 1947 and become its first musical director.
W. S. Gwynn Williams was born at Plas Hafod, Llangollen
Llangollen
Llangollen is a small town and community in Denbighshire, north-east Wales, situated on the River Dee and on the edge of the Berwyn mountains. It has a population of 3,412.-History:...
, the son of the musician W. Pencerdd Williams. He started playing the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
when he was very young and began composing in his teens. When he was 17 he became an Associate of the Tonic Sol-Fa College of Music
Solfege
In music, solfège is a pedagogical solmization technique for the teaching of sight-singing in which each note of the score is sung to a special syllable, called a solfège syllable...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. From 1922 to 1929 he edited the periodical Y Cerddor Newydd (The New Musician); from 1923 he was Director of Music for the Gorsedd of Bards of the National Eisteddfod
National Eisteddfod of Wales
The National Eisteddfod of Wales is the most important of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales.- Organisation :...
; from 1933-1957 he was secretary of the Welsh Folk Song Society and become the Society's chairman in 1957. He was editor of the Society's Journal for thirty years from 1946. In 1937 he founded the Gwynn Publishing Company with the aim to increase the repertoire of traditionally inspired vocal and choral music.
He was married to Elizabeth Eleanor, and he died in 1978.
Among the many collections of folk-songs and music published by Gwynn Williams are: Old Welsh Folk-songs (1927); Caneuon Traddodiadol y Cymry (Vol 1: 1961, Vol 2: 1963); Welsh National Music and Dance (four editions: 1932 to 1971) and Harp Tunes of Wales (1962). His compositions include: Tosturi Duw (God's Mercy) (1943), My Little Welsh Home, Breuddwyd Glyndwr (Glendower's Dream) (1950), Dawns y Medelwyr (Harvester's Dance) (1940) and Welsh Playbook (1925).