b. 21 Sept. 1843, at Newcastle Emlyn, Carms. He was apprenticed as a draper's assistant [at Bridgend, Glam.], and began his studies with the help of the scant Welsh musical textbooks available at the time and occasional lessons from John Roberts (Ieuan Gwyllt, 1822-7, q.v.). He gained numerous eisteddfodic successes for composition and became a commercial traveller, at the same time continuing to devote himself to composition, adjudicating, and criticism, under great difficulties of indifferent health and unsettling conditions of travelling. Up to his marriage, he led a migratory life — at Swansea, Cheltenham, and Newtown, Mont.; but in 1878 he m. Anne Elizabeth (Francis), widow of Mynyddog (Richard Davies, 1833-1877, q.v.); they lived for two years at Shrewsbury, then (1880-94) at Hereford, and finally at Cemaes, Mont. His compositions include numerous songs, anthems, glees, part-songs, and hymn-tunes, of which ‘Trewen’ and ‘Eirinwg’ have become well known in Welsh circles. He wrote three extended choral works: ‘Y Tylwyth Teg,’ an operetta in which use is made of Welsh melodies, a cantata, ‘Gweddi'r Cristnogion,’ and a more ambitious work on oratorio lines, ‘Y Caethgludiad.’ He also orchestrated ‘Ystorm Tiberias’ by Edward Stephen (Tanymarian, q.v.), the first Welsh oratorio.
As an editor, critic, and adjudicator, Emlyn Evans made a distinctive contribution to the art of music in Wales. He took part in the editorship of Y Gerddorfa, 1872, Y Cerddor, 1880-1913, and several hymnals, including the Welsh Congregational Caniedydd Cynulleidfaol, 1895, Y Salmydd, and Llyfr Tonau y Wesleyaid. He also edited and harmonized upwards of 500 traditional airs collected by Nicholas Bennett (q.v.), afterwards publishing them as Alawon fy Ngwlad, and brought through press the biography of Welsh musicians, Bywgraffiad Cerddorion Cymreig, by Moses O. Jones (q.v.). His articles in the press (Musical Times, South Wales Weekly News, etc.) greatly influenced Welsh music. He expressed his views fearlessly against the prevailing over-indulgence in glee-writing merely for purposes of eisteddfodic gain, and against the lack of discrimination and taste in hymn-singing in Wales. He published a successful Welsh textbook on harmony, Llawlyfr ar Gynghanedd. He d. [19] April 1913 at Newcastle Emlyn and was buried 24 April [at Llandyfrïog, Cards.]
Professor David Ewart Parry Williams, D.Mus., (1900-96), Bangor
