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Queen of the Harp & The Cockerel

by Nansi Richards (Telynores Maldwyn)

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Pwt ar y Bys 02:21
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Dŵr Glân 01:15
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Pen Rhaw 02:26
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Llydaw 01:03
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Mathafarn 01:12
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Ffidl Ffadl 01:09
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Cainc Dona 01:39
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Fairy Dance 01:19
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Cwrw Melyn 00:41
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Melfyn 02:26
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Ŵyres Megan 01:13
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Cainc Iona 02:24
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Llwyn Onn 01:05
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Rhyd Ddu 00:52
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Caerhun 01:06
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Cader Idris 01:50
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Beibl Mam 02:00
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Nes Atat Ti 02:02
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Y Gaeaf 02:41
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Pwt ar y Bys 00:54

about

Early life and education

Jane Ann "Nansi" Richards was born at Pen-y-bont-fawr, Oswestry. An expert on both the triple and pedal harps, she always maintained that the greatest influences on her life were her father Thomas Richards, the Kale (Welsh Romanies) who stayed on their farm, and Tom Lloyd (Telynor Ceiriog, 1848-1917), who taught her to play the harp. She also studied at the Guildhall School of Music in London, with harpist John Thomas.

Musical career

She won the National Eisteddfod harp competition three times in succession. After a year at the Guildhall School of Music, she toured with American comedian "Happy" Fanny Fields. The two young women devised tricks for Nansi to do while playing the harp, such as playing with her back turned, or playing two harps simultaneously.

Nansi Richards was appointed Royal Harpist to the Prince of Wales in 1911, a title she held until her death; the role remained vacant until it was reinstated in 2000.

Nansi Richards Jones is credited as teaching traditional triple-harp technique to several musicians, including entertainer Ryan Davies, Dafydd and Gwyndaf Roberts of the folk band Ar Log, and triple harpist Llio Rydderch.

In 1972 she published an autobiography, Cwpwrdd Nansi.
A frequently told, but possibly apocryphal, story about Richards involves one of Richards' overseas trips, when she visited the home of corn flakes manufacturer Will Kellogg, who was looking for a marketing idea. Richards suggested the cockerel (later named Cornelius Rooster), inspired by a pun on the name Kellogg and the Welsh word "ceiliog", meaning "cockerel".

Personal life and legacy

Nansi Richards married Cecil Maurice Jones (1902-1963). In widowhood she lived in Penfilia Road, Swansea, a property she had converted from two cottages. She died late in 1979, age 91. Her remains were buried in the churchyard at St Melangell's Church, Pennant Melangell near Llangynog.

There is an annual Nansi Richards Harp Scholarship competition for young harpists.

In 2015, Nansi, a play about the life of Nansi Richards, written by Angharad Price, was staged by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru at the National Eisteddfod...


Nansi Richards Jones, born 14th May 1888 and lived until 21st December 1979, was a decorated Welsh harpist, sometimes known as the “Queen of the Harp” or by her bardic name ‘Telynores Maldwyn’, given to her for her participation and success in the National Eisteddfods.

She won the Eisteddfod harp competition three times in succession and it is widely regarded that played a crucial role in the revival of the triple harp and the popularity of traditional Welsh music in the 20th century overall, according to St. Fagans National Museum of History.

After studying at the Guildhall School of Music, she toured with America, where it was here she made maybe her most legendary of contributions.

KELLOGG’S COCKEREL
Kellogs Cornflakes
On one of her many overseas trips, she was acquainted with and visited the home of William Kellog, the creator of Cornflakes, who was struggling for an idea to market the new product. It was said to be here that Richards suggested the cockerel (who was later named Cornelius Rooster), should be used, as to her the name Kellog inspired images of the farmyard animal, as Kellog sounded like the Welsh word “ceiliog“, meaning “cockerel”.

In thanks to Richard’s for her contribution, William Kellog even coloured the Cockerel in the colours of the Welsh flag.
This special collection released for St Davids Days, covers

credits

released February 28, 2021

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