John Richards

RICHARDS, John (‘Isalaw’). b. Hirael, Bangor, Caernarfonshire 13 July 1843; d. 15 September 1901. He attended a school in Birmingham, where he began to learn music. On returning to Bangor he worked as a newspaper proof-reader, established a Tonic Sol-fa* class, wrote on musical subjects for newspapers and periodicals, and acted as a copyist and editor of the music of others. His own compositions include part-songs and anthems, but he is now best remembered for his hymn tune SANCTUS, set to ‘Glân gerwbiaid a seraffiaid’, a Welsh version of Richard Mant*’s ‘Round the Lord in glory seated’ (see ‘Bright the vision that delighted’*). The tune is popular with congregations and in an arrangement...