Llewela Davies

Llewela Davies (February 1871 – 1952) was a Welsh pianist and composer who toured with Dame Nellie Melba.[1]

Welsh pianist and composer Llewela Davies, c. 1896, in a flowery hat and gown.

Early life and education

Llewela Tegwedd Davies was born at Talgarth, near Brecon, in South Wales.[2] Her father was Rhys Davies, a justice of the peace.[3][4] At age 10 she won a medal and a cash prize at the National Eisteddfod, and earned a scholarship to attend the North London Collegiate School for Girls.[5]

She attended the Royal Academy of Music on a John Thomas Welsh scholarship awarded in 1887, and as a student there won many awards for composition and musicianship,[6] including the "Worshipful Company of Musicians Medal for the Most Distinguished Student in the Academy."[7][8] As a pianist Llewela Davies was often an accompanist for student vocal recitals during her college years.[9] She later earned a music degree from London University.[10]

Her instructor at the Royal Academy, Walter Macfarren, was the brother of composer George Alexander Macfarren and brother-in-law of composer Emma Maria Macfarren; his other students included notable musicians Agnes Zimmermann, Dora Bright, and Stewart Macpherson.[11]

Career

Llewela Davies' most prominent performances were with Nellie Melba; Davies and her husband toured with the singer, though North America, Australia, and New Zealand.[12][13] She performed twice at the Three Choirs Festival, and as a pianist at the National Eisteddfod. She also performed at the Annual Reid Concert in Edinburgh in 1899.[14] She was welcomed in Welsh villages as a guest performer at special events.[3]

Davies taught at London University after earning her degree there.[10] Compositions by Llewela Davies include Three Sketches (for orchestra), a string quartet, and a sonata for violin and piano.[13]

Personal life

Miss Davies married fellow Welsh musician Frederic Griffith (or Griffiths) in 1898,[15][16] and lived in London thereafter. She was widowed when Frederic Griffith died in 1917. She died in London in 1952.[14]

References
  1. "Welsh Musicians on Tour" Evening Express (December 30, 1897): 3.
  2. "Keeping up the National Reputation: A Brilliant Young Welsh Girl Who Has Attracted Attention as a Musician" Chicago Tribune (October 24, 1891): 16.
  3. "Miss Llewela Davies: Cordial Reception at Llangranog" South Wales Echo (August 12, 1893): 3.
  4. "Death of Mr. Rhys Davies, J. P., Brecon" South Wales Echo (March 18, 1899): 3.
  5. Frederic Griffith, ed. Notable Welsh Musicians of Today (F. Goodwen 1896): 122–123.
  6. "Miss Llewela Davies" Bruce Herald 24(2516)(October 3, 1893): 3.
  7. "Annual Prizes, Female Department" Overture: A Monthly Musical Journal 6(4)(October 1893): 94–95.
  8. "A Brilliant Student" Cambridge Chronicle (December 1, 1894): 11.
  9. "Invitation Students Concert: Saturday, July 1, 1893" and "Fortnightly Concerts," Overture: A Monthly Musical Journal 6(4)(October 1893): 100.
  10. "Lady Instrumentalists" Strand Musical Magazine (1895): 91.
  11. Walter Macfarren, Memories: An Autobiography (Walter Scott Publishing 1905): 268.
  12. "Madame Melba: The Farewell Concert" The Advertiser (17 November 1902): 6. via Trove
  13. Henry Saxe Wyndham and Geoffrey L'Epine, eds., Who's Who in Music: A Biographical Record of Contemporary Musicians (I. Pitman & Sons 1915): 75–76.
  14. "Annual Reid Concert 1899" Reid Concerts: Concerts at the University of Edinburgh from 1841
  15. "Forthcoming Marriage of Mr. F. Griffiths; Engaged to a Brecon Artiste" South Wales Daily Post (March 28, 1898): 4.
  16. "Marriage of Llewela Davis" Scranton Republican (April 23, 1898): 3. via Newspapers.com
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