Rhydderch Davies was a Welsh classical music artist who was born on October 10, 1929, in the town of Llanelli, Wales. He was the youngest of three children born to his parents, who were both musicians. His father was a conductor and his mother was a pianist, and they both encouraged Rhydderch to pursue a career in music from a young age. Rhydderch began his musical education at the age of six, when he started taking piano lessons with his mother. He quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument, and by the age of ten, he was already performing in public. He continued to study piano throughout his childhood and teenage years, and in 1947, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. At the Royal Academy of Music, Rhydderch studied under some of the most renowned piano teachers of the time, including Harold Craxton and Franz Reizenstein. He also had the opportunity to perform in public regularly, both as a soloist and as part of chamber ensembles. In 1950, he graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with a diploma in piano performance. After graduating, Rhydderch returned to Wales and began to establish himself as a professional musician. He performed regularly in concerts and recitals throughout the country, and also worked as a piano teacher. In 1953, he won the Welsh National Eisteddfod's piano competition, which helped to raise his profile even further. Over the next few years, Rhydderch continued to perform and teach, and also began to explore other areas of music. He became interested in conducting, and in 1957, he was appointed as the conductor of the Welsh National Youth Orchestra. He also began to compose his own music, and in 1960, he won the John Edwards Memorial Prize for his composition "Cantata for St. David's Day." In the 1960s, Rhydderch's career continued to flourish. He performed in concerts and recitals throughout Europe, and also made several recordings. In 1964, he was appointed as the head of the piano department at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, a position he held for over 20 years. He also continued to conduct and compose, and in 1968, he was awarded the OBE for his services to music. One of the highlights of Rhydderch's career came in 1971, when he was invited to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of the Proms concert series. He performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and his performance was widely praised by critics and audiences alike. In the 1980s and 1990s, Rhydderch continued to perform and teach, and also became involved in music education. He was a founding member of the European Piano Teachers Association, and also served as the chairman of the Welsh Music Guild. In 1999, he was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in recognition of his contributions to music education. Rhydderch continued to perform and teach until his death on December 23, 2013, at the age of 84. He was widely regarded as one of Wales' most talented and influential classical musicians, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians.

More....