Osian Ellis (1928 – 2021)

[Pulcinella]

I don't think that I've seen a thread mentioning Osian Ellis, who died recently.

Here's a link to the obituary on the Presto site:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/articles/3738--obituary-osian-ellis-1928-2021

[Roslynmuse]

Thanks for posting. I'd missed this sad news.

I shall dig out my Melos Ensemble disc of French music - an old favourite - later.

[Dave2002]

Sad to hear of this. I heard him live a few times - a very fine artist.

The Ravel Introduction and Allegro recording by the Melos Ensemble is a favourite, though that is one piece I heard live.

OE RIP

[DracoM]

[Keraulophone]

He gave a memorable and moving recital with Peter Pears at my uni not long after Britten’s death. It included A Birthday Hansel, then recently written for them by BB.

R.I.P.

[cloughie]

Thanks for posting. I'd missed this sad news.

I shall dig out my Melos Ensemble disc of French music - an old favourite - later.

Yes, that CD is outstanding. RIP Osian

[Pulcinella]

Yes, that CD is outstanding. RIP Osian

I too have the Decca release, in two incarnations, one of which is probably the one that others have mentioned.
These are the recording details from Presto.

Ravel: Introduction & Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet
10:31
Ivor McMahon (violin), Terence Weil (cello), Richard Adeney (flute), Cecil Aronowitz (viola), Osian Ellis (harp), Emanuel Hurwitz (violin), Gervase de Peyer (clarinet)
Melos Ensemble
Recorded: 1961-10-23
Recording Venue: Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London

But I also have a later EMI recording:

Ravel: Introduction & Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet
10:46
Osian Ellis (harp), Richard Adeney (flute), Terence Weil (cello), Cecil Aronowitz (viola), Emanuel Hurwitz (violin), Gervase de Peyer (clarinet), Ivor McMahon (violin)
Melos Ensemble
Recorded: 1968-07-02
Recording Venue: 2 July 1968, Studio No. 1, Abbey Road London

I must do a side-by-side comparison at some point.

[cloughie]

I too have the Decca release, in two incarnations, one of which is probably the one that others have mentioned.
These are the recording details from Presto.

Ravel: Introduction & Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet
10:31
Ivor McMahon (violin), Terence Weil (cello), Richard Adeney (flute), Cecil Aronowitz (viola), Osian Ellis (harp), Emanuel Hurwitz (violin), Gervase de Peyer (clarinet)
Melos Ensemble
Recorded: 1961-10-23
Recording Venue: Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London

But I also have a later EMI recording:

Ravel: Introduction & Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet
10:46
Osian Ellis (harp), Richard Adeney (flute), Terence Weil (cello), Cecil Aronowitz (viola), Emanuel Hurwitz (violin), Gervase de Peyer (clarinet), Ivor McMahon (violin)
Melos Ensemble
Recorded: 1968-07-02
Recording Venue: 2 July 1968, Studio No. 1, Abbey Road London

I must do a side-by-side comparison at some point.

The EMI I have also as part of the Melos Ens ICON box.

[Pulcinella]

Obituary in today's Times:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/osian-ellis-obituary-h0tlb0n8r?shareToken=11b80a99429c1c38e390a52a5febd5bd

[mikealdren]

He was also the named harpist on Oistrakh's wonderful recording of the Bruch Scottish Fantasia.

[gurnemanz]

Sad to hear of this. I heard him live a few times - a very fine artist.

The Ravel Introduction and Allegro recording by the Melos Ensemble is a favourite, though that is one piece I heard live.

OE RIP

This was a very early LP purchase for me and being part of a nascent collection got a lot of play. I now have it as part of the Melos Icon box. Other recordings: the famous Saint-Saëns Cygne with the 17-year-old Jacqueline du Pré and Holst Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda, which I've just listened to.

RIP