EVANS, EDWARD (Heman Gwent; 1823 - 1878), musician
Name: Edward Evans
Pseudonym : Heman Gwent
Date of birth: 1823
Date of death: 1878
Gender: Male
Occupation: musician
Area of activity: Eisteddfod; Music; Religion
Author: Robert David Griffith
Born at Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire, 2 November 1823. His family moved to Rhymney, Monmouthshire, in 1825, where he began to work in a coal-mine when he was quite young. He received no early education but he laboured hard to gain knowledge and become a competent musician and writer. After his marriage (1845) he opened a bookshop; he was also appointed postmaster. He was precentor at Ebenezer chapel, Twyncarno, and was one of the first conductors to undertake a performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ with an orchestra. His choir was successful in many eisteddfodau, and he was also in demand as conductor of singing festivals. Hymn-tunes by him were included in Llyfr Tonau Cynulleidfaol and other collections and in Y Cerddor Cymreig and Y Gerddorfa. He left in manuscript a cantata called ‘Gweddi Habacuc.’ He died in 1878.