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WJ Evans 1866-1947

Dangosodd William John Evans ddawn gerddorol gynnar a feithrinwyd gan ei dad Rhys Taylor, ei hun yn gerddor medrus. Prentisiodd William fel teiliwr tra'n dilyn ei ddiddordebau cerddorol a phenodwyd ef yn organydd Capel Siloa, Aberdâr. Canai ar yr organ ledled de Cymru a daeth hefyd yn feirniad cyson mewn eisteddfodau gan ennill poblogrwydd hefyd fel arweinydd.


Cyfansoddodd yn helaeth ar gyfer eisteddfodau lleol a chenedlaethol ac yn 1906 arweiniodd Gôr Meibion Cynon i fuddugoliaeth yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Caernarfon a chafodd groeso arwr ar ei ddychweliad i Aberdâr.


Cynhwyswyd pump o donau Evans yn emyn cynulleidfaol 1921 Y Caniedydd Cynulleidfaol Newydd, a gyd-olygodd, a’r enwocaf ohonynt yw Rhys a ysgrifennwyd er cof am ei ddiweddar dad, sydd wedi parhau’n safon annwyl yn emynyddiaeth Gymraeg. Evans gyfansoddodd y darn ar gyfer yr emyn Rho i'm yr Hedd gan Elvet Lewis.

ENG

William John Evans displayed an early musical talent which was nurtured by his father Rhys Taylor, himself an accomplished musician. William apprenticed as a tailor while pursuing his musical interests and was appointed organist of Siloa Chapel, Aberdare. He gave organ recitals throughout south Wales and also became a regular adjudicator at eisteddfodau and also gained popularity as a conductor.

Evans composed extensively for local and national eisteddfodau and in1906 he led the Cynon Male Voice Choir to victory at the National National Eisteddfod in Caernarfon and received a hero's welcome on his return to Aberdare.

Five of Evans’ hymn-tunes were included in the 1921 Welsh congregational hymnal Y Caniedydd Cynulleidfaol Newydd, which he co-edited, the most famous of which is Rhys written in memory of his late father, has remained a beloved standard in Welsh hymnody. Evans composed the piece for the hymn Rho i'm yr hedd by Elvet Lewis.

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