The British Musical Biography

Entry

Parry, Joseph

[E] Parry, Joseph, composer, born at Merthyr
Tydvil, May 21, 1841. Picked up some know-
ledge of music when a child, but had, when
ten years old, to work at a puddling furnace.
In 1854 the family followed the father to
America. Joseph Parry paid one visit to
Wales before he finally returned home. He
still continued his studies, and won Eistedd-
fodic prizes in 1862-3. Through the influence
of Brinley Richards he entered the R.A.M. in
1868, and studied under Bennett, Garcia, and
Steggall. Graduated Mus. Bac, 1871 ; Mus.
Doc, 1878, Cambridge. F.R.A.M. Appointed
Professor of Music, University College,
Aberystwith, 1871 ; and in 1888 to the Musical
Lectureship of University College of South
Wales, Cardiff. He has lectured on Music,
and contributed articles on Welsh musicians,
etc., to the press. At the National Eisteddfod,
Llandudno, July 1, 1896, he was publicly
presented with a cheque for £600 for services
rendered to Welsh music.

[W] Works. — Oratorios : Emmanuel, London,
1880 ; Saul of Tarsus, produced at Rhyl, Sep-
tember 8, and Cardiff Festival, September 23,
1892. Cantatas : The Prodigal Son (prize) ;
Nebuchadnezzar ; and Cambria, Llandudno,
1896. Operas : Blodwen, Aberdare, 1878 ;
Virginia, completed in 1883 ; Arianwen, pro-
duced at Cardiff, June 5, 1890 ; Sylvia, Cardiff,
August 12, 1895 ; and King Arthur, completed
1897. The Druids' chorus. Many anthems,
hymn tunes, songs, etc. Orchestral Ballad,
Cardiff, 1892 ; Overtures ; String quartet.
Sonatas, and other pieces for pf. Editor of
Cambrian Minstrelsie, vols., Edinburgh, Jack.

[+] His son, Joseph Haydn Parry, born at
Pennsylvania, U.S.A., in 1864, studied under
him, and at Aberystwith. In 1884 he won a
prize for a pf. sonata. His comic opera,
" Cigarette," was produced with success at
Cardiff in 1892; and another, " j\Iiami," in
London, October 16, 1893. He finished a third,
" Marigold Farm," the same year, and was
the composer of a cantata for female voices,
" Gwen." He was appointed a professor at
the Guildhall School in 1890. Died at Hamp-
stead, March 29, 1894.

[+] Another son, D. Mendelssohn Parry, is a
pianist, and was for a time at the Harrow
Music School. He is now a concert and
operatic agent.

entry id: 311-L-62

page 311 - view at internet archive

Related Links

Concert Programmes Project

1016 - Parry, Joseph [Rupert.Ridgewell]