John Thomas (1 March 1826 – 19 March 1913) was a Welsh composer and harpist. The bardic name Pencerdd Gwalia (Chief of the Welsh minstrels) was conferred on him at the 1861 Aberdare Eisteddfod. [1] He was born in Bridgend on Saint David's Day, son of a tailor, also named John Thomas, a clarinetist in the amateur town band.

In 1862 John Thomas gave his first London concert of Welsh music. In 1871 he was appointed harpist to queen Victoria and teacher of the harp at the Royal Academy; he also formed, in that same year, the London Welsh Choral Union - the choir also instituting the John Thomas scholarship at the Royal Academy.

John Thomas became harpist to the Royal Italian Opera in 1850. The season ran from March to mid-July, so the appointment gave him the liberty to tour the Continent as a soloist during the winter months.

Apr 20, 2023 · Yesterday, a Blue Plaque commemorating the life of the Royal Harpist, John Thomas, was unveiled in his hometown of Bridgend. Having worked on this with Bridgend Town Council, to accompany the...

John Thomas became harpist to the Royal Italian Opera in 1850. The season ran from March to mid-July, so the appointment gave him the liberty to tour the continent as a soloist in the winter months.

Welsh-born harpist and composer John Thomas performed for audiences throughout Europe serving as the harpist to Queen Victoria of England. He was trained in London at the Royal Academy of Music, yet remained loyal to his Welsh heritage throughout his life.

Thomas’s ‘Grand Duet’ is in three movements, marked Allegro con brio, Andante and Allegro con spirito. There is an elegant symmetry to Thomas’s construction of this work. In the first movement the harp is effectively the ‘soloist’, accompanied by the piano.

John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia, 1826-1913), harpist, was born on St David's Day 1826 in Bridgend, Glamorgan. At the age of twelve, he won the prize of a new triple-strung harp at the 1838 Abergavenny National Eisteddfod.

Feb 25, 2023 · John Thomas (1826-1913) was a Welsh harpist and composer known by his bardic name 'Pencerdd Gwalia.' He played the triple harp and was admitted to the Royal Academy of Music at the age of 14. He wrote several pieces of music for the harp, an opera, a symphony, two harp concertos, overtures, chamber music, and two cantatas.

John Thomas (1 March 1826 – 19 March 1913) was a Welsh composer and harpist. The bardic name Pencerdd Gwalia (Chief of the Welsh minstrels) was conferred on him at the 1861 Aberdare Eisteddfod. Life