Wales’ finest: 15 of the best Welsh musicians

Wales has given us some of the greatest musicians of the 20th and 21st century. Here are just a few of our favourites.

1. 

   1. Bryn Terfel (b.1965)

   Initially associated with the roles of Mozart, bass-baritone Terfel has successfully moved into heavier roles, including in operas by Wagner. His albums have crossed over to include collections of songs by Lerner and Loewe and Rodgers and Hammerstein. As a promoter of the Welsh language and culture, he has been made a member of the Gorsedd of Bards, created in 1792. In 2006 he was the second recipient of the Queen's Medal for Music and in 2017 he was given a knighthood. Photo by Simon Fernandez.

2. 

   2. Karl Jenkins (b.1944)

   Well-known for such works as 'The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace' and 'Palladio', Jenkins initially made his mark as a jazz and progressive rock musician. After achieving great success writing music for TV commercials, his' 'Adiemus' topped the charts around the world and launched him on a hugely popular classical career. He was given a knighthood in 2015. Picture: Richard Johnson

3. 

   3. Sir Geraint Evans (1922-1992)

   One of the Royal Opera's biggest ever stars, the Welsh bass-baritone was acclaimed for more than 70 roles including Mozart's Figaro - which he sang more than 500 times - Papageno in ‘The Magic Flute’, and the title roles in ‘Falstaff’ (pictured) and ‘Wozzeck’. He was the first British singer to appear at La Scala Milan after the war. He was knighted in 1969 and called his autobiography 'A Knight at the Opera'.

4. 

   4. Katherine Jenkins (b.1980)

   After winning singing competitions in her youth, Jenkins studied at the Royal Academy of Music. She came to wide public attention in 2003 when she sang at Westminster Cathedral in honour of Pope John Paul II's silver jubilee. Since 2004, she has released numerous hit albums. Her albums were named Album of the Year in the Classic BRIT Awards in 2005 and 2006. In 2017 she was named the biggest-selling artist of the past 25 years in the Ultimate Classic FM Chart.

5. 

   5. Aled Jones (b.1970)

   The Classic FM presenter shot to fame as a boy treble, known for his cover version of ‘Walking in the Air’, written for ‘The Snowman’, which reached No. 5 in the pop charts in 1985. Over the next few years he sold more than six million albums, and sung for the Pope, HM The Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales in a private recital. Most recently he released a trilogy of albums called 'One Voice', in which he performed with his younger, boy soprano self.

7. 

   6. Wynne Evans (b.1972)

   The tenor shot to fame as Gio Compario in the Go Compare insurance adverts on TV. Evans enjoys a close association with Welsh National Opera, The Royal Opera, and English National Opera. He sang in the 25th Anniversary production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'The Phantom of the Opera' at the Royal Albert Hall and has sung at more than 30 Welsh International rugby matches.

8. 

   7. Osian Ellis (b.1928)

   Ellis was the first harpist of the Melos Ensemble, Principal Harpist of the LSO, and closely associated with Benjamin Britten who wrote the harp parts in several of his major pieces with Ellis in mind. He appears in many first recordings of Britten's pieces, often with the composer conducting. Ellis's own compositions include settings of Welsh folksongs for tenor and harp.

9. 

   8. Catrin Finch (b.1980)

   Harpist Finch won the Young Concert Artists International Auditions in New York City in 2000, subsequently performing at London's Wigmore Hall. She was the Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales from 2000 to 2004 and is Visiting Professor at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and the Royal Academy of Music. She has given many recitals at different venues throughout the world. Picture: Tim Ireland/PA

10. 

    9. Dame Gwyneth Jones (b.1936)

    Jones shot to fame in 1964 when she stood in for Leontyne Price in Verdi's 'Il trovatore' at the Royal Opera. She went on to appear at almost every major opera house in the world, including 93 appearances at the Met, singing 11 parts in 10 operas. She was made a CBE in 1976 and a Dame in 1986. She is pictured here in 1984 singing 'Turandot' with Plácido Domingo in Los Angeles.

11. 

    10. Charlotte Church (b.1986)

    The soprano rose to fame in childhood. Her first album, ‘Voice of an Angel’, sold millions worldwide and made her the youngest artist with a No. 1 album on the British classical crossover charts. Her self-titled second album also included operatic, religious and traditional tracks. By 2007, she had sold more than 10 million records worldwide including more than five million in the United States.

13. 

    11. Arwel Hughes (1909-1988)

    Best remembered for his music for chorus and orchestra, the Welsh conductor and composer studied under Vaughan Williams at the Royal College of Music. He directed the first performances of many works by Welsh composers and composed, arranged and orchestrated music for live radio broadcasts. He was appointed OBE in 1969 for his services to Welsh music and for organising the music for the Investiture of the Prince of Wales that year.

14. 

    12. Owain Arwel Hughes (b.1942)

    The son of composer Arwel Hughes, Owain was born in Cardiff. He is Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, and the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. He became well known after a rousing televised performance of William Walton's 'Belshazzar’s Feast', which won the praise of the composer himself. Hughes is the Artistic Director of the Welsh Proms. He was given an OBE in 2004 and a CBE in 2009. Picture: Richard Johnson

15. 

    13. Paul Mealor (b.1975)

    Paul Mealor is acclaimed for his contemporary choral music, including the motet 'Ubi Caritas et Amor', performed at the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. That same year, his song 'Wherever You Are' was the Christmas number one for the Military Wives and the following year, it was the highest new entry in the history of the Classic FM Hall of Fame chart.

16. 

    14. William Mathias (1934-1992)

    A child prodigy, Mathias studied at the Royal Academy of Music. He was professor of music and head of department in the University of Wales, Bangor, from 1970 until 1988. His works include an opera, three symphonies and three piano concertos. He composed the anthem 'Let the people praise Thee, O God' for the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.

17. 

    15. Alun Hoddinott (1929-2008)

    One of the first Welsh composers to win international recognition, Hoddinott's music was championed by some of the 20th century’s most distinguished musicians. His style evolved from neo-classical to dark, brooding atonality. Karl Jenkins was a pupil. Hoddinott is pictured here in 2004 receiving an Arts Council of Wales Lifetime Achievement Award from The Prince of Wales.

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