DAVIES, MATTHEW WILLIAM (1882 - 1947), musician

Born at Neath, Glamorganshire, August 1882 the son of Richard and Catherine Davies, Neath Abbey. As a child he learnt the Tonic Sol-fa, securing the A.C. certificate at the age of 12, and matriculating at 15. In 1890 he attended a course in London under Dr. David Evans (1874 - 1948) and when the latter was appointed to the chair of music at the university college at Cardiff, his pupil aged 20 won a scholarship of £40 a year for three years at the college. He graduated Mus. Bac. in 1905 and B.A. in 1906. After a year of special training in London he settled as music teacher at Neath and was appointed organist and choirmaster of Bethlehem Green Calvinistic Methodist Church. He conducted the Neath Operatic Society for 36 years, and also the Neath Male Voice Choir. He was conductor of the choir when the national eisteddfod was held at Neath in 1934. He was in constant demand as an adjudicator and conductor at singing festivals. He composed a large number of part-songs, anthems, and hymn-tunes for children, and for congregational singing. He composed the hymn-tune ' Bethlehem Green ' specifically for Y Caniedydd Cynulleidfaol Newydd, 1921. He died 23 November 1947, and was buried in Lantwit juxta Neath cemetery.

Author

• Robert David Griffith, (1877 - 1958)

Sources

• Y Cerddor, August 1907
• Neath Guardian, 28 November 1947
• H. Williams, Tonau a'u Hawduron cyfrol gydymaith i "Llyfr emynau a thonau y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd a Wesleaidd" (1929) (Caernarfon 1967)

Further Reading

• Wikipedia Article: Matthew W. Davies

Additional Links

• VIAF: 63690907
• Wikidata: Q20821439

Published date: 2001

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