Role

:

Composer

Death

:

January 13, 2012

 

Dilys Elwyn Edwards was a Welsh composer and pianist who was born on 16th June 1918 in Pontypridd, Wales. She was the daughter of a Welsh-speaking family and grew up in a musical environment. Her father was a choirmaster and her mother was a singer, and they both encouraged Dilys to pursue music from a young age. Dilys began her musical education at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, where she studied piano and composition. She later continued her studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied with the renowned composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. During her time at the Royal Academy of Music, Dilys developed a deep love for Welsh folk music and began incorporating it into her compositions. She also became interested in the poetry of Welsh poets such as Dylan Thomas and R.S. Thomas, and many of her works were inspired by their writings. Dilys's early compositions were mainly for solo piano, and she quickly gained a reputation as a talented pianist and composer. In 1946, she won the prestigious Cobbett Prize for her Sonata for Piano, which was described by the judges as "a work of great originality and distinction." In the 1950s, Dilys began to focus more on vocal music, and she became known for her beautiful settings of Welsh poetry. Her most famous work in this genre is perhaps her cycle of songs based on the poetry of Dylan Thomas, entitled "Poem in October." The cycle was premiered in 1956 and has since become a staple of the Welsh art song repertoire. Dilys also wrote several operas, including "The Witch" and "The Golden Valley," both of which were based on Welsh folk tales. Her operas were praised for their lyrical beauty and their ability to capture the essence of Welsh culture. In addition to her compositions, Dilys was also a respected music educator. She taught at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama for many years and was known for her dedication to her students. Many of her former students have gone on to successful careers in music. Dilys received many honors and awards throughout her career, including the OBE in 1987 and the Queen's Medal for Music in 2004. She continued to compose and perform well into her 80s, and her music remains an important part of the Welsh classical music tradition. Dilys Elwyn Edwards passed away on 5th April 2012 at the age of 93. She left behind a rich legacy of beautiful music that continues to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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