Haydn Morris

Haydn Morris was born on 18 February 1891 in Llanarthney (Wales). His parents were coalminers and Haydn Morris had to work in the coalmine as well since he was 12 years old. His parents died when he was 15. Despite his tough childhood Haydn Morris developed an interest in music very early. He took music lessons with local teachers, later under David Vaughan Thomas in Swansea. At the age of 16 Haydn Morris quit his work at the coalmine and focused on a career as a musician. He attended the Royal College of Music and finished as an ARCM in 1918. Haydn Morris continued his studies at the Royal Academy of Music with a scholarship from the National Eisteddfod. He studied under Frederick Corder (composition), Stanley Merchant (organ), William John Kipps (piano), Ernest Read (sight-singing and ear-training) and James Bates (voice training). During his studies he received the Oliveria Prescott Prize (in 1919), an award for distinguished composition students. It is said that Edward Elgar commended Haydn Morris for his compositions. In 1923 Haydn Morris completed his studies with a Bachelor of Music. Later, in 1943, he also received a Doctor in Music from the New York University.

Then Haydn Morris were offered teaching positions at the Royal Academy of Music and in Canada. He declined these posts and devoted his career to Wales and the Welsh music tradition. As a musician he became organist and choirmaster of the Capel Heol Undeb in Carmarthen (1923-1926), Soar Chapel in Merthyr Tydfil (1926-1928) and Capel Als in Llanelli (1928-1960).

As a composer Haydn Morris had a strong emphasis on the Welsh traditional music. He composed a collection of piano pieces for students, exclusively using modal scales based on Welsh tradition (Celtic Pianoforte Tutor, 1924). Haydn Morris also researched, taught and composed for Cerdd Dant, the traditional singing improvisation over a given harp melody. During the early 20th century only few professional musicians were interested in this genre. Haydn Morris arranged a collection of Cerdd Dant melodies which won a prize at the Eisteddfod festival in 1937. This resulted in a publication in 1939 and 1940 of own compositions of Cerdd Dant melodies (Hen Ganu'r Cymry), that rose the interest and supported the gain of popularity in this old Welsh tradition. Haydn Morris later published further collections of Cerdd Dant melodies and so became one of the most important contributors to this genre.

Haydn Morris also composed a large body of other compositions. His work catalogue contains operas, operettas, part-songs, cantatas, solos, and pieces for brass bands, piano, strings and orchestra. Overall a total of around 450 compositions. More than 60 of his works won prizes at the National Eisteddfod.

Haydn Morris died in December 1965 in Llanelli (Wales).

Haydn Morris Archive

In my possession is a large collection of autograph manuscripts of compositions by Haydn Morris:

1) Sonata dramatigue

The Sonata dramatigue (sic!) is a large piano composition with the movements 1. Allegro drammatico, 2. Andante cantabile, 3. Scherzo: Allegro scherzando and 4. Rondo: Tempo di marcia: molto animato. The manuscript is not dated and I have no information about a performance.

2) Brythonic Rhapsody

The Brythonic Rhapsody for orchestra was composed in 1926 and is constructed around 4 well-known Welsh national airs: "The Little Fountain", "The Camp", "The Fold of the Lambs" and "Captain Morgan's War March". It was premiered on 4 August 1926 at the National Eisteddfod. The next year the Brythonic Rhapsody was played again at the Eisteddfod, at that time by the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Haydn Morris himself.

3) The Cambrian Concerto

The Cambrian concerto is scored for piano and orchestra. The manuscript is not dated, but has Haydn Morris' address in Llanelli on the fly leaf. Therefore the composition dates from after 1928.

4) The four kings

The composition "The four kings" is scored for orchestra and subtitled "Festival Overture". It consists of four movements, each dedicated to a specific person and titled "Picture". It seems likely that this work was composed for one of the National Eisteddfod, giving tone poem for each of the following characters:

1. Syr. Owen M. Edwards (Arloeswr) - refers to Owen Michael Edwards (1858-1920)
2. Elfed (Emynydd a Baradd) - refers to Howell Elvet Lewis (1860-1953)
3. I. D. Hooson (Bardd a chyfaill plant cymru) - refers to Isaac Daniel Hooson (1880-1948)
4. D. Vaughan Thomas (Cyfansoddwr) - refers to David Vaughan Thomas (1873-1934)

In this archive is the autograph full score of this composition.

5) Laughter & Love

Laughter & Love is a Suite for orchestra with the three movements 1. (Prelude) In Springtime, 2. (Serenade) Summer Moon and 3. (Country Dance) Rustic Revels.  The first movement is preceded by the quote "Life, love, springtime and laughter / lead me on to love of you". On the book cover the work is numbered as op.31, the only work with an opus number in my archive. The manuscript is not dated and again shows the address in Llanelli, so it was very likely written after 1928.

6) The Seasons

The Seasons is a work that is a bit obscure. In my archive are two bound books that include the manuscripts. One book contains three movements for orchestra, but no title of the work. And only the third movement is titled "Rustic revels" (no similarities to the movement of "Laughter & Love), the titles of the other movements are scratched out. The first movement ends abruptly and is continued in the second book which has the embossed title "The Seasons / Orchestral Suite" on the cover. According to that second book the work should consist of four movements (for each season), but there are only three.

My impression is that the work once had the title "The seasons" but was revised significantly, making it an orchestral suite with three movements. Due to the lack of a title I name it with its original title.

7) Sextet

The sextet is scored for 3 violins, viola and 2 cellos. According to the manuscript the work was submitted to the National Eisteddfod chamber music competition in Swansea in 1964. I have no information if the work won a prize. Considering the look and condition of the manuscript I assume that the work was composed earlier than 1964, but I cannot give a more detailed statement.

8) Pro Patria

The work Pro Patria was composed in 1938 and is subtitled "Ballad for chorus and orchestra". It sets a poem by A. G. Prys Jones to music and won the first prize at the Eisteddfod in 1938. As a result the piano reduction of "Pro Patria" was printed by the Press Board of the University of Wales and received a first performance on 11 August 1939 by the Cardiff Orchestra under Hopkin Evans at the Eisteddfod in Denbigh.

In my possession is the autograph full score as well as the printed piano reduction.

9) Rhapsody for violin, cello and piano

The manuscript of the Rhapsody for violin, cello and piano is not dated. According to some handwritten entries in the manuscript the work was submitted to the Eisteddfod composition competition at some time.

10) Poem to a nightingale

This is a composition for men's choir and orchestra. It sets the poem "Ode to a nightingale" by John Keats to music. In the archive are two manuscripts of this composition: The autograph full score which provides the original title "Cerdd i Eos" as well as the piano reduction. The piano reduction was once submitted to the Eisteddfod composition competition and I assume for that reason it has the prosaic title "Darn i Gorau Cymysg Gyda chyfeiliant i Gerddorfa lawn" (Piece for mixed choir with orchestra accompaniment).

11) Bethlehem Ephrath

The "Bethlehem Effrata" is a collection of 18 songs for voice or choir with piano accompaniment. The included songs are 1. Myfyr Simeon, 2. Can yr angel, 3. Gloria in excelsis, 4. A'i gwyr y newydd rhyfedd hwn, 5. Beth yw'r seren, 6. Am ddoethineb, 7. Suo-gan y forwyn fair, 8. Siglwn, 9. Dyma'r preseb, 10. Hwiangerdd mair, 11. Dyma'r baban, 12. Cyflwynidd y baban, 13. Can herod, 14. Ir arglwydd rhoddaf glod, 15. Gwelodd fy llygaid, 16. Llef o rama, 17. Ira oedd herod and 18. Cyfododd duw.

12) Dewis Brenhines

This work is a children operetta in three acts with a libretto by G. Brynallt Williams. The work was composed in 1931 and received several performances in the next years in Llanelli, Lampeter or Gorseinon. The score was published in 1931 by the publishing house James Davies in Lllanelli. In my archive is autograph piano reduction of the work.

13) Etifedd Arberth

The operetta "Etifedd Arberth" (Heir of Narberth) is based on the play by Wil Ifan who wrote it in 1937. It is very likely that the operetta was composed shortly afterwards. In the archive is the autograph full score of this composition.

14) Merch y bryniau

The operetta "Merch y bryniau" (The girl from the hills) was composed in 1933 on a libretto by Wil Ifan. The work received a handful of performances in the late 1930s, for example in 1934 in Cwmafan. In my possession is the autograph piano reduction of this operetta.

15) Three Choral Dances

The Three Choral Dances are scored for chorus and orchestra. The work consist of three parts: 1. Bolero fantastigue, 2. The fairy reel and 3. Vikings sword dance. In my possession are both the full score and the piano reduction. None of the two autographs provides information about the authors of the used texts. These are the first words from each movement:

   1. By the orange groves of Solero, there we'll dance the Bolero.

   2. On the way at close of day to meet the fairy queen.

   3. Vikings bold, draw your sturdy swords, flash them out in the gleaming sun!

16) Plant y pentref

According to some newspaper articles the work "Plant y pentref" (Children of the village) seems to be a children's musical play composed in 1932 or earlier. In my archive is only the manuscript of the musical accompaniment with a string quartet. The manuscript consists of 25 small sections for string quartet, all with a title and a note about the related singing character.

17) Y delyn aur

Y delyn aur (The golden harp) is subtitled "Variations for full orchestra". The manuscript is not dated, but has Haydn Morris' address in Llanelli on the fly leaf. Therefore the composition dates from after 1928.

18) Y storm

The work "Y storm" (The storm) is scored for men's chorus and orchestra. The manuscript gives no information about the origin of the used text. The first words are "Now dawns! Now dawns the harvest day, the sun inspires the reapers lay". This archive holds the autograph full score of the work.

19) Hyfrydwch yr ifang

The composition "Hyfrydwch yr ifang" (Joys of youth) is scored for orchestra and subtitled "Overture". The autograph full score provides no information about the year when it was composed.

20) Jesu, ein ceidwad

"Jesu, ein ceidwad" (Jesu, our saviour) is a work for soprano, chorus and orchestra. The work sets the poem "The beautiful snow" to music, a poem first published in the 1860s and for which the authorship is unclear so it seems. In my possession is the autograph piano reduction of the work.

21) Gipsy Dances

The Gipsy Dances for orchestra consist of the three movements 1. Moonlight dance, 2. Twilight dance and 3. Rustic dance. In my possession is the autograph full score.

22) Mesia'r Plant

The work "Mesia'r plant" (The children messiah) is a set of 20 songs for voice or chorus and piano with words by Daniel John Davies (1885-1970). The songs are:

1. Arweingerdd
2. Proffwyd
3. Angylion y Proffwydi
4. Myfyrdraeth Mair
5. O! Henffych well
6. O! Brydferth Galilea
7. Mawrygerdd
8. Pawb a aethant i'w trethu
9. Mair a Joseph
10. Lletywr
11. Bugeiliaid
12. Yr angel
13. Awn hyd Bethlem
14. A'i clywsant a Ryfeddasant
15. Doethion yn Jerusalem
16. Herod
17. Herod a'r Doethion
18. Doethion i Fethlem
19. Yr un yw Ef o Hyd
20. Dyfod Heddiw

23) unknown operetta

In my possession is the autograph piano reduction what seems to be an operetta. Unfortunately there is no title given. The manuscript immediately starts with the first song of the work "Dowch a tylwyth teg", then the second one "O dowch yn hy" and finishes with song number 26 "Rhown Hip! Hwre!"

24) The Gwalia Suite

The Gwalia Suite is a work for brass band. In my possession are the autograph parts of the work.

Further documents

In addition to the autograph manuscripts by Haydn Morris mentioned above, the collection also contains a few other items:

• Printed score of "Dymuniad plentyn" for children's choir (Snell & Sons, 1939)
• Printed libretto of "Iesu o Nazareth" for baritone, chorus and orchestra (Snell & Sons, 1932)
• a photo of Wyn Morris, the son of Haydn Morris
• a special pass to the Arwisgiad Tywysog Cymru in 1969 issued to Wyn Morris

from an newspaper article in 1926

Haydn Morris in 1961