ROBERTS, JOHN (1806 - 1879), musician

Born at Sarnau, near Bala. After working on farms near his home he moved whilst still a young man to Aberystwyth where he learnt the craft of [ bookbinding; later he became a skilled engraver.] He studied music, became proficient in it, and strove hard to improve the singing in Aberystwyth and surrounding districts. In 1853 he published Perorydd y Cysegr, a collection of a hundred hymn-tunes including that called ' Alexander ' which he had composed in 1824 (at the age of 18) and which had appeared in Greal y Bedyddwyr, 1833. He also published Seraff Cymru, which contains anthems and chants which had been edited by J. Wilks, organist at Aberystwyth. He moved to Aberdare in 1855; there he served as precentor in Pen-pound Baptist chapel for many years. He returned in 1873 to Aberystwyth where he died 18 November 1879. He was buried at Aberystwyth.

Author

• Robert David Griffith, (1877 - 1958)

Sources

• M. O. Jones, Bywgraffiaeth Cerddorion Cymreig (1890)
• Cymru (O.M.E.), 1899
• Y Cerddor, June 1918

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20733645

Published date: 1959

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