Grace Williams (1906 - 1977)
One of the most distinctive and influential Welsh composers of the twentieth century, Grace Williams was born in Barry, South Wales, in 1906. Encouraged by a musical family, she studied at University College, Cardiff, before continuing her education at the Royal College of Music, London, under Ralph Vaughan Williams, and subsequently in Vienna with Egon Wellesz.
After returning permanently to her native Barry in 1947, she developed an increasingly individual musical language, drawing inspiration from the Welsh landscape, the sea, and the rhythms and cadences of Welsh poetry. Her output encompasses symphonies, concertos, chamber music, choral works and songs, including such celebrated compositions as Sea Sketches, Penillion, Fantasia on Welsh Nursery Tunes and Missa Cambrensis.
Oriana Publications offers an extensive and growing catalogue of Grace Williams's music, including newly prepared and restored editions of works previously unavailable in print. Scores are available for purchase in printed form and, increasingly, as PDF downloads, with performing materials for selected works available on hire.
