David Evans (Musician) Papers,

Papers of the composer and musician Prof. David Evans, [1880 x 1948], comprising full and fragment scores of choral music, including orchestral and vocal scores, cantatas, anthems, hymn tunes, carols and other sacred music, arrangements of welsh airs, miscellaneous compositions, compositions by other composers, together with miscellaneous material.

David Evans was born in 1874 in Resolven, Glamorgan. At thirteen years of age he started work in the coalfield, where he remained for five years. He spent his free time studying music and by the age of fifteen had his own choir. He won a three-year Summer School College Scholarship, and attended a two- year course at Cardiff University College, under the tutorship of Dr Joseph Parry. In 1895 he became the youngest Oxford Mus. Bac. in Wales. From 1899 to 1903 he was organist and choirmaster at Jewin Calvinistic Methodist Church, London. In 1903 he succceeded Dr Joseph Parry as lecturer in the Music Department at the University College, Cardiff, and in 1908 became the first Professor of Music at Cardiff. From 1916 to 1921 he edited Y Cerddor, and also edited Llyfr emynau a thonau y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd a Wesleaidd, which was published in 1929. Throughout his lifetime Dr Evans was well known in Wales as an adjudicator at eisteddfodau and conductor of cymanfaoedd canu. He also produced and published many compositions which were extensively performed during his lifetime. He retired in 1939 and died in 1948.

Arranged into the following: choral music; cantatas; anthems; hymn-tunes, carols and other sacred music; arrangement of Welsh airs; miscellaneous compositions; compositions by other composers; miscellaneous material.

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Donated 1977.

David Evans was born in 1874 in Resolven, Glamorgan. At thirteen years of age he started work in the coalfield, where he remained for five years. He spent his free time studying music and by the age of fifteen had his own choir. He won a three-year Summer School College Scholarship, and attended a two- year course at Cardiff University College, under the tutorship of Dr Joseph Parry. In 1895 he became the youngest Oxford Mus. Bac. in Wales. From 1899 to 1903 he was organist and choirmaster at Jewin Calvinistic Methodist Church, London. In 1903 he succceeded Dr Joseph Parry as lecturer in the Music Department at the University College, Cardiff, and in 1908 became the first Professor of Music at Cardiff. From 1916 to 1921 he edited Y Cerddor, and also edited Llyfr emynau a thonau y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd a Wesleaidd, which was published in 1929. Throughout his lifetime Dr Evans was well known in Wales as an adjudicator at eisteddfodau and conductor of cymanfaoedd canu. He also produced and published many compositions which were extensively performed during his lifetime. He retired in 1939 and died in 1948.

Title supplied from contents of fonds.

A hard copy of the catalogue is available at the National Library of Wales. The catalogue can be accessed online.

January 2003

Compiled by Annette Strauch for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: NLW, Schedule of Dr David Evans Papers, Dictionary of Welsh Biography, 1941-1970 (London, 2001).

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Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales