One of those impressed by that film was Sam Jones , who was at the time producer of Welsh programmes with the B.B.C. , and after realising that Idris Lewis was a Welshman he succeeded in persuading him to join the B.B.C. in Cardiff , where he became musical director of the Welsh region ( 1936-52 ), the first to be appointed to that post. He d. at his home in Llandaff , 15 Apr. 1952 , and his remains were cremated in Glyntaff .

He is an important figure in the history of Welsh music, chiefly because of his pioneering work in broadcasting orchestral concerts from Cardiff . He was also responsible for arranging several series of popular vocal programmes on sound radio , including ‘ Melys Lais ’; and ‘ Cenwch im yr hen ganiadau ’. Although he was not a prolific composer , he arranged a number of works for male voice choirs , and some of the songs from his setting of ‘ Alun Mabon ’ ( Ceiriog ), which was first broadcast in 1935 , remain popular on eisteddfod and concert platforms. He was the author of a useful volume Cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru ( 1945 ) which was translated into Welsh by Enid Parry .

His brother was D.H. Lewis , Llanelli , author of Cofiant J.T. Rees , and also of a number of articles on Welsh musicians which were published in Y Genhinen and other periodicals.