0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:09 > 0:00:14- The Gower Peninsula is the resting - place of a talented Welsh musician.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19- Morfydd Llwyn Owen...
0:00:19 > 0:00:24- ..was one of the most important - composers of the early 20th century.
0:00:25 > 0:00:30- This religious girl experienced - a colourful and amorous life.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34- She exploited - and enjoyed romances...
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- ..with a string of male companions.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42- Men appeared overnight - before she moved on to the next one.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51- Her character was often - a topic of conversation.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54- I don't think she realized - that she hurt people.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59- And she did hurt people.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- Her music is a legacy to treasure.
0:01:02 > 0:01:08- She transformed the way - I looked at singing in Wales.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18- It's been a century since the death - of Morfydd Llwyn Owen.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24- Her incredible beauty, - melancholic music...
0:01:24 > 0:01:28- ..and mysterious final years - still enchant us.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51- Morfydd is often described - as an enigma.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56- She was an incredibly beautiful girl - with raven hair, sparkling eyes...
0:01:57 > 0:02:01- ..and olive skin reminiscent - of an exotic Romani figure.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- However, there was nothing exotic - about her upbringing.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- She was born in the industrial - South Wales Valleys...
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- ..at the end of the 19th century.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22- Morfydd was born - on this street in 1891...
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- ..to William and Sarah Owen.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29- Her father was an accountant - in Cardiff and her mother a draper.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35- They had enough money to holiday - in Llandrindod and Switzerland.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41- She came from a - middle class background.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46- They were a strict Puritan family.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50- She had two older brothers - who were twins.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54- She was beautiful, intelligent...
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- ..and terribly spoilt.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- This affected her - throughout her life...
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- ..as she wasn't responsible enough - to care for herself.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12- Morfydd's talent became apparent - from a very young age.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16- She composed music - before she had even left school.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- This is her earliest - surviving composition.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- It was composed in 1908 - when she was 17 years old.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- It's a minuet for the piano.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- The school, chapel and Eisteddfod - provided a stage for her music.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39- Everyone in the area wanted - to take advantage of her talent.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44- But Morfydd knew that her future - didn't lie in Treforest.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52- William Owen was the head of the - family and was quite the dictator.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55- Morfydd left Treforest...
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- ..and escaped to a more - liberal society in the big city.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06- She was the first recipient - of the Caradog Scholarship...
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- ..to study music - at Cardiff University.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15- Morfydd wasn't the only female - student but she paved the way...
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- ..for other women - like Grace Williams.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23- Professional female musicians - were very rare at that time.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- We can put this into - a wider international context.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32- Vienna's Symphonic Orchestra didn't - allow females until recently...
0:04:32 > 0:04:36- ..and there are still - very few women in today's orchestra.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- The professional music world - was only seen as a place for men.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49- Whilst at college, - Morfydd met Eliot Crawshay-Williams.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- At the time, Eliot - was a married Member of Parliament.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- Like most men, - he was charmed by Morfydd.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- She enjoyed male company.
0:05:00 > 0:05:06- She boasted about her string - of male companions.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11- Men appeared overnight - before she moved on to the next one.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17- It was no wonder - that she enjoyed their company...
0:05:17 > 0:05:20- ..as she'd been raised - in a very strict household.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- Her father was quite a tyrant.
0:05:23 > 0:05:29- He didn't allow any man to cross the - threshold at Wain House, Treforest.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35- Her friendship with Eliot Crawshay - lasted her whole life.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39- Their letters show - a close relationship.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- "Eliot, my soul, what should I do...
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- "..if no-one but you would - satisfy me the whole of my life?
0:05:48 > 0:05:50- "The very thought kills me."
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- She was very fond of Eliot Crawshay.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57- However, he didn't feel - the same way towards her.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03- She could be herself around him, - more than anyone else.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- I believe - that she was in love with him.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- Eliot encouraged Morfydd - to further her studies in London.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- Treforest and Cardiff - were very proud...
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- ..when she was accepted - into the Royal Academy of Music.
0:06:19 > 0:06:25- Here, she composed, performed - as a singer and truly prospered.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- When did you first encounter - Morfydd's music?
0:06:29 > 0:06:35- I was in the Royal College of Music - preparing for my final recital.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- The theme was women.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- My tutor, David Owen Norris, - insisted that I chose one composer.
0:06:41 > 0:06:47- It was Morfydd Llwyn Owen so I chose - Gweddi Y Pechadur and I was hooked!
0:06:47 > 0:06:51- She transformed the way - I looked at Welsh music.
0:06:52 > 0:07:00- # I once heard of Jesus
0:07:00 > 0:07:09- # And that he continues
0:07:09 > 0:07:15- # To accept publicans
0:07:16 > 0:07:24- # And the great sinners #
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- It's very rare to be able - to sing with such honesty.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- She was obviously - an incredible woman...
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- ..to go to the depths of her soul...
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- ..to use these words and - team them with these harmonies...
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- ..that are dark and mature.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- # With them #
0:07:44 > 0:07:49- It was easy to empathize - with her love of music and poetry.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- When I sing her songs, - I channel her.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- It sounds strange - but I feel like I'm possessed.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- I lose myself in the music - and the lyrics.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03- I love the harmonies and melodies.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08- There's strength in Morfydd's music - and that comes out of me.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- Morfydd treasured her time - at the Royal Academy.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- She blossomed - out of her father's shadow.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- She experienced success, praise - and won all sorts of prizes.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31- It was unusual to find a woman - who composed music.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- There was hardly anyone in Wales...
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- ..who composed on the same - creative and ambitious level.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- She led the way for Grace Williams, - Dilys Elwyn Edwards...
0:08:44 > 0:08:47- ..and many more female composers.
0:08:50 > 0:08:55- Moving to London wasn't easy for - this 20-year-old from the Valleys.
0:08:55 > 0:09:00- She lived in a flat in Maida Vale - and Eliot was there to support her.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- Morfydd greatly appreciated - his support.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- "Do you know, I really - shall never, never forget...
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- "..how perfectly sweet you were - to me when I first came to London.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- "You were a real darling, - really you were.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18- "Long live Eliot!"
0:09:18 > 0:09:24- The Welsh society and the Charing - Cross Chapel were important to her.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- That's where she met...
0:09:27 > 0:09:31- ..the Member of Parliament, - Herbert Lewis and his wife, Ruth.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- Their grandchild, Nest - remembers Morfydd.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- Morfydd was introduced to London...
0:09:39 > 0:09:41- ..and knew nobody there.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- My grandmother took pity on her...
0:09:43 > 0:09:48- ..and basically adopted her - whilst she was in London.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54- She decided she wasn't - suitably clothed for London society.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- She had a French dressmaker - who she was very proud of...
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- ..and she sent her - to this French dressmaker.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- You can imaging this gypsy - being sent to a dressmaker.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- It worked out very well - and she was very pleased with it.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15- I think she probably relied - on my mother a great deal...
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- ..to learn how she should behave.
0:10:19 > 0:10:25- Over time, Morfydd and Nest's family - grew apart.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31- To this day, there is still - a feeling of betrayal and shame.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- I got the impression - that she would do anything...
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- ..to get what she wanted - and never mind hurt.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- I don't think she'd even be aware - of how much she hurt people.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- She did hurt people.
0:10:46 > 0:10:52- Both my mother, grandmother and my - grandfather to a certain extent...
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- ..were left not actually knowing - what they could have done...
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- ..to have helped her more...
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- ..and bitter regret - at what happened...
0:11:04 > 0:11:06- ..and the way she died.
0:11:10 > 0:11:10- .
0:11:12 > 0:11:12- Subtitles
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:18 > 0:11:20- At the start of World War II...
0:11:21 > 0:11:26- ..Morfydd Llwyn Owen was a prominent - composer and performer in London.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- She was a leading figure - of the city's Welsh social scene.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- She'd also discovered - the freedom of bohemian living.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- Who were the bohemian set in London?
0:11:39 > 0:11:41- They were mainly artists.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- Think of Puccini's opera, La Boheme.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49- These bohemians led a carefree life.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54- They were painters, writers, - poets and musicians.
0:11:54 > 0:12:00- They didn't fit into a respectable - and law-abiding society.
0:12:01 > 0:12:07- They could dress differently - and smoke in public without worry.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- Their relationships - with one another...
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- ..didn't follow those - strict and conservative rules...
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- ..that were inherently part - of a Christian Welsh life.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25- Hampstead Heath was one of the - bohemian set's favourite places.
0:12:25 > 0:12:31- She socialized with notable figures - like D H Lawrence and Ezra Pound.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- How bohemian was her life in London?
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- Now there's a question!
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- There are many theories - about her life.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- However, I'm not sure - if she stayed out late...
0:12:48 > 0:12:53- ..and associated with others - in a way that pushed her boundaries.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- We must remember - that she was a keen chapel-goer.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- Breaking free...
0:13:02 > 0:13:06- ..was more of a dream - than a reality.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14- Her bohemian friends - introduced her to Ernest Jones.
0:13:14 > 0:13:20- He was a controversial psychoanalyst - and a great friend of Sigmund Freud.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- She fell in love with him - on the first night they met.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- She attended a party - with another man...
0:13:28 > 0:13:34- ..but their eyes met across the room - and it was very romantic.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- They were both from Wales and - he longed to be more of a Welshman.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43- Being married to a Welsh woman - meant a lot to Jones.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- They both had similar personalities.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49- There were differences...
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- ..but they also shared - similar interests.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01- After three months, - Morfydd and Ernest wed in secret.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- Not a single wedding photograph - has survived.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08- This is Ernest and Morfydd's - wedding certificate.
0:14:08 > 0:14:13- This is our most detailed account - of this unusual wedding.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17- Ernest and Morfydd didn't leave - any more information.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23- Morfydd - was a professional composer...
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- ..but this box has been left empty.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- I wonder if she always knew - that she'd have to choose...
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- ..between a marriage and composing.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39- Did your grandmother try to stop her - from marrying Ernest Jones?
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- Everybody tried to stop her - from marrying him.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45- They didn't like him.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- They thought - that he was trying to mould her...
0:14:49 > 0:14:53- ..into what he expected - a good wife to be.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- He was an intelligent man.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58- He had a power...
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- ..and a hold over Morfydd.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- Her friends hated him.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- Ernest Jones - wasn't a respectable man.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13- He had strong German connections - during the war against Germany.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- I wanted to know - how he felt about Morfydd.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- These two letters - were sent by Ernest Jones...
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- ..to his tutor and mentor, Freud.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- "Since my last letter...
0:15:27 > 0:15:31- "..I have news to give - that I got married last week...
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- "..and just returned from a - week's honeymoon in West Cornwall.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- "She is Welsh, young, 23...
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- "..very pretty, intelligent - and musical.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- "After a degree in music...
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- "..she studied for four years - at the Academy.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52- "She sang at her first and last - concert the week I captured her."
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- That's very interesting.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58- "She has also composed - some promising works."
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- He also promises that Freud - would meet Morfydd after the war.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- What was Ernest Jones' status?
0:16:08 > 0:16:13- He was the international leader - of the Freud movement for decades.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18- Nobody else could match him - in terms of status.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23- In my opinion, - he could have superseded Freud...
0:16:23 > 0:16:28- ..but his great respect for him - stopped him from doing such a thing.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34- At the time, the work of Freud and - Ernest Jones was very controversial.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- Psychoanalysis - was a new and alien field.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- When Ernest Jones - came on to the scene...
0:16:41 > 0:16:46- ..my grandfather tried to find out - as much as he could about him.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- He was so concerned...
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- ..that this still - fairly wild young woman...
0:16:53 > 0:16:58- ..was marrying somebody - so much older than her...
0:16:58 > 0:17:01- ..and completely - the opposite of her.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03- He was an atheist...
0:17:04 > 0:17:09- ..and there was general opposition - towards Freud's followers.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13- He was labelled a dirty old man - for his views about sex.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- They didn't realize...
0:17:16 > 0:17:21- ..that Freud was referring to the - significance of these sexual acts.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23- There's a great difference.
0:17:25 > 0:17:31- After the wedding, the pair settled - in Ernest's Sussex home, The Platt.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- Ernest worked - from his Harley Street clinic...
0:17:35 > 0:17:40- ..whilst Morfydd juggled her work - at the Academy with being a wife.
0:17:40 > 0:17:45- She reveals her feelings in her - final letter to Eliot Crawshay.
0:17:45 > 0:17:51- "Oh dear, what it is to be married - and run a household establishment.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53- "Married life doesn't seem...
0:17:53 > 0:17:58- "..the easiest thing to adapt to - and has taken up all my time."
0:18:01 > 0:18:02- Despite this...
0:18:02 > 0:18:06- ..Morfydd composed nearly 200 pieces - during her short life.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- She proved - that she was an incredible talent.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- She could compose - idiomatic piano pieces.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- She was a fantastic pianist...
0:18:19 > 0:18:24- ..and had the talent to play - concerti and classical pieces.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- This is a very rare quality - in this day and age.
0:18:28 > 0:18:33- She had taken the time to learn - techniques and extend her knowledge.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40- Her compositions - like Slumber Song to the Madonna...
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- ..can be compared to the best - that you'll find in England.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46- They are classics.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51- In August 1917, Ernest and Morfydd - left their home...
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- ..and travelled to Wales on holiday.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59- The pair came to Ernest's - family home, Craig-Y-Mor.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04- She had a stomach ache and sickness - from the moment she arrived.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- However, she got better...
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- ..and walked the rocks - and lunched with friends.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14- On 24 August, her condition - deteriorated once more.
0:19:14 > 0:19:19- Morfydd developed the lethal - condition, appendix abscess.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24- The treatments of the era...
0:19:24 > 0:19:28- ..were nothing similar - to today's treatments.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- There was no such thing - as a blood transfusion...
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- ..or sending patients - to intensive care units.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- You did all you could - to shake the illness...
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- ..and hope for the best.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51- Two weeks after arriving in Wales - and a year after getting married...
0:19:51 > 0:19:55- ..Morfydd died aged 26 - after undergoing an operation.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01- This is Ernest Jones' - personal diary.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05- There must be a record - of Morfydd's death.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06- Here it is.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- It's September 7 and only reads...
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- "2.00am. Ceased treatment."
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- The time, 8.30am - has been underlined.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21- That was the end of her life.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30- The circumstances of Morfydd's death - have always been questioned.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35- Why wasn't a doctor called earlier - and why did they use chloroform?
0:20:35 > 0:20:39- Some have questioned - whether Ernest killed her.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45- What's your opinion on the theory - that Ernest killed Morfydd?
0:20:45 > 0:20:47- It's complete nonsense.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- There isn't any evidence.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54- I have a theory about what happened.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59- There was such opposition to the - Freud supporters of the world...
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- ..that they used any excuse - to vilify them.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09- Chloroform had been used - instead of ether...
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- ..as there was still a debate - as to which one was best.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18- It's been claimed - that someone gave her chloroform...
0:21:18 > 0:21:20- ..as she would die - as a result of it.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- I don't believe their theory - and it's slanderous.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- What was the family's theory - about her death?
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- They always thought...
0:21:31 > 0:21:36- ..that Ernest Jones hadn't done - as much as he should have done...
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- ..and they held him - directly responsible for her death.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45- My mother particularly, - right until the end of her life...
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- ..used to say...
0:21:47 > 0:21:52- ..how upset she was - at the way she died.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57- There was always - a slight mystery around that.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- I don't think we'll ever know - exactly what happened.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- However, we do know...
0:22:07 > 0:22:12- ..that she underwent an operation on - the kitchen table inside this room.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- Within a few days, she had died...
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- ..aged just 26.
0:22:28 > 0:22:34- Morfydd died young and at the - pinnacle of her composing career.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- We can only imagine - what she could have achieved.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40- She will live on like the sun...
0:22:40 > 0:22:45- ..and the Morfudd - in Dafydd ap Gwilym's poems.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- She will continue - to shine from above.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- I don't understand - why she isn't more famous.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- She was daring, - intelligent and venturesome...
0:22:56 > 0:22:58- ..and this scared people.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03- However, nearly a century has passed - so it's time that we celebrate her.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13- Morfydd rests here in a lonely grave - without a husband or family.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18- It's easy to see why questions are - still being asked about her death.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21- The loss of her beauty - and personality...
0:23:21 > 0:23:24- ..have turned her into a legend.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28- However, it's her talent - that we will remember most...
0:23:29 > 0:23:31- ..and her music will live on.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58- S4C Subtitles by Tinopolis
0:23:58 > 0:23:58- .