David Evans (composer)
Encyclopedia
David Evans was a Welsh
musician and composer.
Evans was born at Resolven
, Glamorgan. He worked in the coal industry as a teenager, but music was always his primary interest. He won a music scholarship and became a pupil of Joseph Parry
, which led to his qualifying at University of Wales, Cardiff
, in 1895. He went on to become organist and choirmaster of Jewin Calvinistic Methodist Church in London. He succeeded Joseph Parry, his former teacher, in the Music department at Cardiff, where he was appointed a professor in 1908. Most of his compositions were of a religious nature, including many hymns. He participated actively in the Eisteddfod movement. Some compositions attributed to him were in fact written by his eldest son, Arthur, who died in the influenza pandemic of 1918.
Evans edited the revised edition of the Church of Scotland
's Church Hymnary in 1927. Notably, it is in this publication that he combined an old Irish folk song
with a versified English
translation of an 8th-century Irish poem to produce the now widely known Christian
hymn
, "Be Thou My Vision
".
Evans died at Rhosllannerchrugog. His papers are held by the National Library of Wales
and some by his grandson, also named David Evans.
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...
musician and composer.
Evans was born at Resolven
Resolven
Resolven is a small village in Neath Port Talbot county borough, Wales. It is located in the heart of the Vale of Neath.- Location :The village is situated in the Vale of Neath, next to the A465 Heads of Valleys Road, and is the main settlement in the community of Resolven...
, Glamorgan. He worked in the coal industry as a teenager, but music was always his primary interest. He won a music scholarship and became a pupil of Joseph Parry
Joseph Parry
Joseph Parry , was a Welsh composer and musician. Born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, he is best known as the composer of Myfanwy and Aberystwyth used in Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika the National anthem of South Africa.The cottage at 4 Chapel Row, Merthyr Tydfil, where Parry was born, is now open to the...
, which led to his qualifying at University of Wales, Cardiff
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
, in 1895. He went on to become organist and choirmaster of Jewin Calvinistic Methodist Church in London. He succeeded Joseph Parry, his former teacher, in the Music department at Cardiff, where he was appointed a professor in 1908. Most of his compositions were of a religious nature, including many hymns. He participated actively in the Eisteddfod movement. Some compositions attributed to him were in fact written by his eldest son, Arthur, who died in the influenza pandemic of 1918.
Evans edited the revised edition of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
's Church Hymnary in 1927. Notably, it is in this publication that he combined an old Irish folk song
Folk music of Ireland
The folk music of Ireland is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres in Ireland.-History:...
with a versified English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
translation of an 8th-century Irish poem to produce the now widely known Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
, "Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou My Vision is a traditional hymn from Ireland, which is commonly attributed to Dallán Forgaill. It is popular among English-speaking churches around the world.-History:...
".
Evans died at Rhosllannerchrugog. His papers are held by the National Library of Wales
National Library of Wales
The National Library of Wales , Aberystwyth, is the national legal deposit library of Wales; one of the Welsh Government sponsored bodies.Welsh is its main medium of communication...
and some by his grandson, also named David Evans.