A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Parratt, Walter
PARRATT, Walter, was born Feb. 10, 1841, at Huddersfield, Yorkshire, where his father, Thomas Parratt, was a fine organist and at the head of his profession. The boy displayed much precocity and was thoroughly grounded by his father at an early age. At 7 years old he took the service in church, and at the age of 10 he played on one occasion the whole of the 48 preludes and fugues of Bach by heart, without notice. He thus laid the foundation of that affectionate and intimate knowledge of Bach's music which now distinguishes him. His predilection for the organ was no doubt grounded on his father's example and on his familiarity with Conacher's organ factory, which he haunted when very young. At any rate he was an organist from the beginning. At 11 years of age he held his first appointment at Armitage Bridge Church. After a few months he was sent to school in London, and became a pupil of George Cooper's; but the school was unsatisfactory, and in a short time he was recalled to Huddersfield, and became organist of St. Paul's, where he remained till 1861. In that year he received the appointment of organist to Lord Dudley, at Witley Court in Worcestershire. Here he had time and opportunity for study, of which he availed himself. His next steps were to the parish church, Wigan, in 1868; to Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1872, and to St. George's Chapel, Windsor, his present post, vice Sir G. Elvey, in 1882. In 1873 he took the degree of Mus. Bac. at Oxford, and in 1883 was chosen Professor of the Organ in the Royal College of Music. He is conductor of the Madrigal Society of Windsor, and 'Passed Grand Organist' of the Freemasons.
His publications comprise an anthem, 'Life and Death,' to words by Dean Stanley, a valse-caprice, three songs, and a piece or two for the organ in the 'Organist's Quarterly.' He wrote the music for the performance of 'Agamemnon' at Oxford in June 1880, and to 'The Story of Orestes,' Prince's Hall, June, 1886. Mr. Parratt's gifts are very great. His playing needs no encomium, and in addition his memory is prodigious, and many stories of curious feats are told among his friends. His knowledge of literature is also great and his taste of the finest. He has been a considerable contributor to this Dictionary, and supplied the chapter on music to Mr. Humphry Ward's 'Reign of Queen Victoria' (Longmans, 1887). He is a very hard worker, and the delight of his colleagues, friends, and pupils. Nor must we omit to mention that he is an extraordinary chess-player.[ G. ]