John Hughes (1873–1932)

This article is about Welsh composer John Hughes (1873–1932) who wrote "Cwm Rhondda". For Welsh composer Landore John Hughes (1872–1914) who wrote "Calon Lân", see John Hughes (1872–1914).

John Hughes (22 November 1873 in Dowlais, Wales – May 14, 1932 in Llantwit Fardre, Pontypridd, Wales) was a Welsh composer of hymn tunes. He is most widely known for the tune Cwm Rhondda.

Hughes was brought up in Llanilltud Faerdref (in English: Llantwit Fardre). At age 12 he began work in Glynn Colliery in his home town and subsequently became a clerk at the Great Western Colliery Pontypridd where he worked for over 40 years. He served as a deacon and leader of the congregational singing in Salem Baptist Chapel in Llanilltud Faerdref.[1][2]

The first version of his famous tune Cwm Rhondda, named "Rhondda", was written in 1905 for the Cymanfa Ganu (hymn festival) in Pontypridd, when the enthusiasm of the 1904–1905 Welsh Revival still remained.[3] The present form was developed for the inauguration of the organ at Capel Rhondda, in Hopkinstown in the Rhondda valley, in 1907.[4] Hughes himself played the organ at this performance, using the English translation of William Williams' words because of the large number of English-speaking industrial workers who had immigrated to the area.[5] A number of his other compositions were popular during his lifetime, but have not lasted. The name was changed from RHONDDA to CWM RHONDDA by Harry Evans (composer), of Dowlais, to avoid confusion with another tune by M. O. Jones.

As described by William Jensen Reynolds, Hughes worked his entire life in secular jobs, his worldwide fame as a hymntune composer being the result of a hobby he pursued on the side. Like his father, who had profound effect on him, Hughes participated actively as member and deacon in Llantwit Fardre's Salem Baptist Church.[6]

Notes

  1. ↑ "Cydymaith Caneuon Ffydd", Delyth G Morgans, 2006, ISBN 978-1-86225-052-9 pp 316, 555
  2. ↑ 'Emynau Cymru / The Hymns of Wales', Gwynn & Ifor ap Gwilym, 1995, ISBN 0-86243-362-2
  3. ↑ "Caniadau'r Diwygiad", Noel Gibbard, 2003, ISBN 1-85049-195-X
  4. ↑ "Cwm Rhondda chapel's history celebrated", BBC News, 24 January 2003
  5. ↑ H2G2 Hitchhikers’ Guide—Cwm Rhondda
  6. ↑ Reynolds, William Jensen (1964). Hymns of our faith: A handbook for the Baptist Hymnal. Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman Press. p. 322.
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