Daniel Protheroe
Encyclopedia
Daniel Protheroe was a Welsh
composer
and conductor
, born at Cwmgiedd near Ystradgynlais
, Brecknockshire
. After success at the National Eisteddfod
at a young age, he emigrated to the USA, where he was educated. He is best known for composing Calvinist Methodist
hymns.
Eisteddfod, winning the choir prize. Aged 19, he emigrated to the USA, settling in Scranton, Pennsylvania
. There he took courses in music conducting, and was tutored by Parson Price, Dudley Buck
and Hugo Karn. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music
degree from Toronto, later becoming a Doctor of Music
.
Protheroe remained in Scranton until 1892, and for eight years was the conductor of the Cymmrodorion Choral Society. He moved to Milwaukee, conducting several choirs, before moving again, this time to Chicago
. He continued conducting for various choirs, and taught at the Sherwood Music School. While in Chicago he mentored Rhys Morgan
("The Welsh Tenor" 1892-1961) and Haldor Lillenas
(1885–1959).
Protheroe would take frequent trips to Wales, and adjudicated at several National Eisteddfodau. He wrote several works, including Arwain Corau (1914) and Nodau Damweiniol a D'rawyd (1924), ans in 1918 he edited the hymnal Cân a Mawl for the Calvanistic Methodists of North America. He composed many or arranged hymn
al works, especially for the male voice, including 'Price', 'Bryn Calfaria
', 'Cwmgiedd' and 'Nidaros'. He also composed two string quartet
s and a symphonic poem
.
He died in Chicago in 1934, and in 1954 a memorial plaque was unveiled at his birthplace in Ystradgynlais.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, born at Cwmgiedd near Ystradgynlais
Ystradgynlais
Ystradgynlais is a town on the River Tawe in south west Powys; it is the second largest town in Powys, Wales. The town grew around the iron-making, coal-mining and watch-making industries....
, Brecknockshire
Brecknockshire
Brecknockshire , also known as the County of Brecknock, Breconshire, or the County of Brecon is one of thirteen historic counties of Wales, and a former administrative county.-Geography:...
. After success at the National Eisteddfod
National Eisteddfod of Wales
The National Eisteddfod of Wales is the most important of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales.- Organisation :...
at a young age, he emigrated to the USA, where he was educated. He is best known for composing Calvinist Methodist
Calvinistic Methodists
Calvinistic Methodists are a body of Christians forming the Presbyterian Church of Wales and claiming to be the only denomination of the Presbyterian order in Wales which is of purely Welsh origin.-Early history:...
hymns.
Biography
Protheroe was born to Daniel and Eleanor Protheroe, and was instructed in music from a young age. He entered the National Eisteddfod in 1880 and 1881, before his voice broke, winning prizes in both festivals. Aged 16, 16 he conducted the Ystradgynlais Choir at the LlandeiloLlandeilo
Llandeilo is a town in Carmarthenshire, Wales, situated at the crossing of the River Towy by the A483 on a 19th century stone bridge. Its population is 1,731.The town is served by Llandeilo railway station on the Heart of Wales Line.- Early history :...
Eisteddfod, winning the choir prize. Aged 19, he emigrated to the USA, settling in Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton is a city in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, United States. It is the county seat of Lackawanna County and the largest principal city in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area. Scranton had a population of 76,089 in 2010, according to the U.S...
. There he took courses in music conducting, and was tutored by Parson Price, Dudley Buck
Dudley Buck
Dudley Buck was an American composer, organist, and writer on music. He published several books, most notably the Dictionary of Musical Terms and Influence of the Organ in History, which was published in New York in 1882. He is best known today for his organ composition, Concert Variations on the...
and Hugo Karn. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
degree from Toronto, later becoming a Doctor of Music
Doctor of Music
The Doctor of Music degree , like other doctorates, is an academic degree of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music...
.
Protheroe remained in Scranton until 1892, and for eight years was the conductor of the Cymmrodorion Choral Society. He moved to Milwaukee, conducting several choirs, before moving again, this time to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. He continued conducting for various choirs, and taught at the Sherwood Music School. While in Chicago he mentored Rhys Morgan
Rhys Morgan
Rhys Morgan, while aged 15 and still at high school, was one of the people involved in the toxicity of an unproven treatment known as Miracle Mineral Supplement....
("The Welsh Tenor" 1892-1961) and Haldor Lillenas
Haldor Lillenas
Haldor Lillenas was "one of the most important twentieth-century gospel hymn writers and publishers" and is regarded as "the most influential Wesleyan / Holiness songwriter and publisher in the 20th century"...
(1885–1959).
Protheroe would take frequent trips to Wales, and adjudicated at several National Eisteddfodau. He wrote several works, including Arwain Corau (1914) and Nodau Damweiniol a D'rawyd (1924), ans in 1918 he edited the hymnal Cân a Mawl for the Calvanistic Methodists of North America. He composed many or arranged hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
al works, especially for the male voice, including 'Price', 'Bryn Calfaria
Bryn Calfaria
Bryn Calfaria is a Welsh hymn tune written in 8,7,8,7,4,4,4,7,7 meter. The melody, written by William Owen, is used as a setting for several hymns, most notably the English "Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor" and the Welsh hymn "Laudamus"...
', 'Cwmgiedd' and 'Nidaros'. He also composed two string quartet
String quartet
A string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
s and a symphonic poem
Symphonic poem
A symphonic poem or tone poem is a piece of orchestral music in a single continuous section in which the content of a poem, a story or novel, a painting, a landscape or another source is illustrated or evoked. The term was first applied by Hungarian composer Franz Liszt to his 13 works in this vein...
.
He died in Chicago in 1934, and in 1954 a memorial plaque was unveiled at his birthplace in Ystradgynlais.
External links
- National Library of Wales Profile of Daniel Protheroe