DAVIES, THOMAS (Trithyd; 1810? - 1873?), musician and composer

Born in Carmarthenshire about 1810. As a young man he started farming in the neighbourhood of Llantrithyd, Glamorganshire, where he remained for many years. There he took up the study of music, and, having become a competent musician, rendered great service to the neighbouring districts by going round teaching singing. About 1853 he moved to Cwmavon, Glamorganshire, where he continued his musical activities. He composed a number of hymn-tunes which are to be found in Caniadau Seion (Mills) and Telyn Seion (R. Beynon). In April 1854 he published Y Blwch Cerddorol, which comprised eighty-nine hymn-tunes, sixteen anthems, ninety temperance pieces, six hymn-tunes for family worship, and one duet - all being the work of Welsh composers. This book contained an introductory essay on ' The Nature, Essence, and Aims of Music.' The only one of the tunes in this collection which is still in use is ' Dyffryn Bacca,' composed by David Richards of Pontardawe, Glamorganshire, of whom nothing seems to be known except that he emigrated to the U.S.A. soon after 1854. Towards the end of his life he opened a shop at Cwmavon. He died in great poverty at Aberavon about 1873.

Author

• Robert David Griffith, (1877 - 1958)

Sources

• Y Diwygiwr, 1854
• M. O. Jones, Bywgraffiaeth Cerddorion Cymreig (1890)
• Edward Jones, Rhestr gyda nodiadau byrion, o Enwogion Cymreig o 1700 i 1900 (1908)

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20734433

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-RUU/1.0/