Gems Of Welsh Melody

Gems Of Welsh Melody

Author: John Owen ("Owain Alaw")

Year: 1860

Gems of Welsh Melody (First and Second Series) Gems of Welsh Melody is one of the most important collections of Welsh music published during the nineteenth century. Edited and arranged by the musician, composer and pencerdd John Owen (1821–1883), the work was issued by the Ruthin publisher Isaac Clarke as a series of volumes between 1860 and 1864. Its purpose was to preserve and popularise the traditional airs, songs, and national melodies of Wales at a time when interest in Welsh cultural heritage was undergoing a remarkable revival. The collection presents Welsh songs with both Welsh and English texts, together with piano or harp accompaniments prepared by " Owain Alaw " (the bardic name of John Owen). In addition to preserving traditional melodies, the volumes introduced many readers to the work of contemporary Welsh poets and musicians. The publication became widely used throughout Wales and contributed significantly to the dissemination of Welsh national music during the Victorian period. The First Series, published in 1860, is of particular historical importance because it contains the first printed appearance of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (" Land of My Fathers "), the future nationa