Osian Ellis

From 1959 onwards, Ellis had a close professional partnership with Benjamin Britten that lasted to the latter's death. He was often first to perform and record Britten's works.

• Name — Osian Ellis • Birth Name — Osian Gwynn Ellis • Born — 8 February 1928 • Birthplace — Ffynnongroew, Flintshire, Wales • Died — 5 January 2021 • Occupation — * Harpist • Composer • Academic teacher • Education — Royal Academy of Music • Organizations — * Royal Academy of Music • London Symphony Orchestra • Melos Ensemble • Wales International Harp Festival

Osian Gwynn Ellis was born in Ffynnongroew, Flintshire, in 1928, the son of the Rev. Tomos Ellis, a Welsh Methodist minister, and his wife Jenny (née Lewis), a harpist, and spent the first four years of his life at Llys Myfr on Llinegr Hill. As a boy Ellis was obsessed with playing the harp and playing football. In 2018 he recalled: "I chose the harp because we had one at home. My mother, Jennie, was a good amateur harpist. We did spend some years living in Denbigh and I was the goalkeeper for Denbigh County School. I taught myself to play the harp to some degree and was encouraged by my mother." He studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Gwendolen Mason, whom he later succeeded as professor of harp from 1959 to 1989. He joined the London Symphony Orchestra in 1961 and became principal harpist. He recalled: "I did two Royal Variety Performances in the pit at the London Palladium involving Bob Hope and many other top stars. I also joined the Wally Stott Orchestra and we played on the original Goon Shows starring Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers and, for a short time, Michael Bentine." He was a founding member of the Melos Ensemble and also formed the Osian Ellis Harp Ensemble. Ellis's 1959 recording of Handel's harp concertos (with Thurston Dart) won the Grand Prix du Disque. In 1962, the Melos Ensemble with Ellis released what is considered by musicologist Paul Loeber the finest rendition ever of Ravel's Introduction and Allegro, playing with flautist Richard Adeney, clarinettist Gervase de Peyer, violinists Emanuel Hurwitz and Ivor McMahon, violist Cecil Aronowitz and cellist Terence Weil. The record, released on the L'Oiseau-Lyre label, OL 50217, included works by three other French composers — Debussy: Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp; Albert Roussel: Serenade for Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello and Harp; and Guy Ropartz: Prelude, Marine and Chansons for Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello and Harp. He also took part in the ensemble's recording of Peter Maxwell Davies's cantata Leopardi Fragments.

Osian Ellis is recorded as having received Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The authorities additionally record the heading Osian Gwynn Ellis.