Osian Ellis has performed to lavish acclaim all over the world. His numerous recordings of harp music, concertos, chamber music, and songs with harp have received many awards.

Many new works have been written for him, including concertos by William Mathias, Alun Hoddinott, Jorgen Jersild, and Robin Holloway, with solo and chamber music by Benjamin Britten, Malcolm Arnold, Gian Carlo Menotti and William Schuman.

Osian Ellis worked closely with Benjamin Britten from 1959 until the latter’s death in 1976, and appeared in many first performances and recordings of his works. Britten wrote for him the exquisite Harp Suite in 1969, and, when Britten could no longer play the piano, following an unsuccessful heart operation in 1973, Osian Ellis joined Peter Pears to give recitals in Europe and America. Canticle V was the first work that Britten wrote for them in 1974.