Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

February 8, 1928 in Ffynnongroew, Flintshire

Death

:

January 5, 2021

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Osian Ellis was born on February 8, 1928, in Ffynnongroew, North Wales. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing the organ and his mother singing in the local choir. At the age of seven, he began playing the harp, and by the time he was 12, he had won several competitions. In 1944, Ellis was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He studied under the renowned harpist, Sidonie Goossens, and graduated with honors in 1948. After graduation, he joined the London Symphony Orchestra as their principal harpist, a position he held for 10 years. In 1959, Ellis was invited to join the newly-formed Melos Ensemble, a chamber group that included some of the finest musicians in the world. He remained with the group for 25 years, during which time they performed all over the world and recorded many acclaimed albums. Ellis was also a soloist in his own right, and he performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic, the Royal Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He was particularly noted for his performances of Benjamin Britten's harp music, and he worked closely with the composer on many occasions. In addition to his performing career, Ellis was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as harpists. Ellis was the recipient of many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1966, he was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to music. In 1985, he was made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), and in 2004, he was awarded the Queen's Medal for Music. Ellis continued to perform and teach well into his 80s. He passed away on March 23, 2021, at the age of 93. He was remembered as one of the greatest harpists of his generation, and a true ambassador for Welsh music.

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