Person Open DS/UK/6703 Thomas; John (1 March 1826-19 March 1913); Welsh composer and harpist Thomas John 1 March 1826-19 March 1913 Welsh composer and harpist Male Pencerdd Gwalia Bridgend, Wales (born_

Welsh Musician; Harp / Composer Spouse of Joan Francis Denny Former spouse of Alice Ann Keate Former partner of Désirée Artôt (Belgian soprano) Heterosexual John Thomas 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. He taught at the Royal College of Music, where he eventually became professor, and at the Guildhall School of Music. He wrote many pieces for the harp that are popular today and are used in the exam syllabus. He also wrote an opera, a symphony, two harp concertos, overtures, chamber music, and two cantatas – Llewellyn (1863) and The Bride of Neath Valley (1866). He played one of his own harp concertos at a Philharmonic concert in 1852. In 1872, he was appointed harpist to Queen Victoria. International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) 2nd edition - ICA 2004 ISBN 2-9521932-2-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 Yes RAHSkeyte 8/8/2013 Rachael.Fragola 3/1/2022 ddd69dc2-a694-4738-996b-3a8bfeb06ffc