TRIBUTES have been paid to a globally-renowned harpist from Flintshire who has died at the age of 92, Dr Osian Ellis CBE, who started playing again as he approached his 90th, collaborated with leading British composer Benjamin Britten and performed at the world’s finest concert venues. In 2018 he was honoured at the Wales International Harp Festival in Caernarfon when a new work was premiered to celebrate his 90th birthday. Dr Ellis, a native of Ffynnongroyw who later lived in Pwllheli, leaves his son, Richard and his daughter in law, Glynis; two grandchildren, David and Katie, and his sister, Mrs Elfrys Hughes.
TRIBUTES have been paid to a globally-renowned harpist from Flintshire who has died at the age of 92, Dr Osian Ellis CBE, who started playing again as he approached his 90th, collaborated with leading British composer Benjamin Britten and performed at the world’s finest concert venues. In 2018 he was honoured at the Wales International Harp Festival in Caernarfon when a new work was premiered to celebrate his 90th birthday. Dr Ellis, a native of Ffynnongroyw who later lived in Pwllheli, leaves his son, Richard and his daughter in law, Glynis; two grandchildren, David and Katie, and his sister, Mrs Elfrys Hughes.
Osian Ellis, harpist known for his association with Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears – obituary
Britten wrote several works for him and he later became the regular accompanist for Pears, rethinking piano accompaniments for the harp
Osian Ellis
Osian Ellis, who has died aged 92, was a dynamic Welsh harpist best known for his association with Benjamin Britten, who wrote several works either for Ellis or featuring his instrument.
After Britten’s heart surgery in 1973 Ellis became the regular accompanist for Britten’s partner, the tenor Peter Pears, rethinking the composer’s original piano accompaniments for the harp.
Ellis’s involvement with Britten’s circle had begun on January 4 1959, when he played the harp part in a performance of the composer’s A Ceremony of Carols conducted by George Malcolm in central London.