The British Musical Biography

[E] Owen, John, Owain Alaw, composer,
teacher, and baritone singer, born at Chester
of Welsh parents, November 14, 1821. He
was brought up to trade till 1844, when he
adopted the musical profession. Organist of
various churches in Chester, and a j)rominent
advocate of musical education. He died at
Chester, January 30, 1888.

[W] Works. — Jeremiah, oratorio, 1878. Habak-
kuk's Prayer, prize cantata (with Ambrose
Lloyd), 1851 ; Prince of Wales, cantata, Car-
narvon Eisteddfod, 1862. This was the first
Welsh secular cantata. Gwalia's Holiday,
cantata, Chester, 1866. Anthems, glees,
songs, etc. He also edited Gems of Welsh
melody, a selection of popular Welsh songs,
Ruthin, 1860. The Welsh Harp, airs arranged
for four voices ; a collection of tunes for
Sunday schools ; a collection of English
airs, etc.

[+] His son, William Henry, was born at
Chester in 1845. He was an organist in
Dublin, and was killed in a railway accident
at Abergele, on August 20, 1868, when re-
turning to his post. Some of his anthems
were published in Welsh by his father, and a
Magnificat by him is in Novello's list.

entry id: 306-L-53