A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Parry, Hubert

by George Grove

PARRY, Charles Hubert Hastings, born Feb. 27, 1848, was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated Mus. Bac. in 1867 and B.A. in 1870. He passed the examination for the Mus. Bac. while still at Eton. The exercise for the degree (a Cantata entitled 'O Lord, thou hast cast us out') was performed in the Music School according to the regulations. He took a few lessons in harmony from Dr. Elvey, in 1868, and since that time studied with H. H. Pierson at Stuttgart, with Professor Macfarren and Mr. Dannreuther.

A Morning and Evening Service in D (Novello), still a favourite, dates from his Eton days, and so possibly do two anthems for 4 voices (Ditto); three Odes of Anacreon; six Shakespearean and other old-fashioned songs; and 'Characterbilder,' a set of seven PF. pieces. His maturer works are numerous, and consist of:—Sonata for PF. in B♭ (L. Cock); Do. Do. in D minor (Lucas & Weber); Grosses Duo, for 2 PF.s in E minor (Breitkopf); Trio for PF., V., and Cello in E minor (Halle's Recitals 1880); Quartet for PF. and Strings in A minor [App. p.738 "A♭"]; Do. for Strings in G.; Fantaisie-sonata PF. and V. in B; Sonata for PF. and Cello in A; Nonet for Wind Instruments in Bb; Overture for Orchestra 'Guillem de Cabestanh' (performed at the Crystal Palace, March, 15, 1879); Concerto for PF. and Orchestra in F♯ (do. April 3, 1880, and Richter, May 10, 1880); Fantasia and Fugue for Organ; Variations for PF.; Miniatures for do.

His setting of Shelley's 'Prometheus Unbound' for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra, commissioned for the Gloucester Festival, was produced there Sept. 7, 1880.

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App. p.738:

Add that he received the degree of Mus. D. from the University of Cambridge in 1883, and in the next year succeeded Dr. Corfe as Choragus of the University of Oxford, receiving the degree of Mus. D. in the following year. He is Professor of Composition and Musical History in the Royal College of Music. To the list of his works the following are to be added:—Symphony in G, no. 1, Birmingham Festival, 1882; Do. no. 2, in F, Cambridge University Musical Society, 1883, and (in a remodelled form) Richter, 1887; music to 'The Birds' of Aristophanes, Cambridge, 1883; 'Suite Moderne,' Gloucester Festival, 1886, and at a London Symphony Concert in the following winter; Sonata for piano and violoncello in A; Theme and variations for piano in D minor; Partita for piano and violin in D minor; Trio for PF. and strings in B minor; Quintet for strings in E♭; two sets of 'Characteristic popular tunes of the British Isles,' arranged for PF. duet; two sets of English Lyrics, and one set of Shakespearean sonnets (songs); Choral Ode, set to Shirley's words, 'The glories of our blood and state,' from 'The Contention of Ajax and Ulysses,' Gloucester Festival, 1883; Do. 'Blest Pair of Sirens' (Milton) Bach Choir, May 17, 1887, and Hereford Festival, 1888; and Oratorio 'Judith,' Birmingham Festival, 1888. Director of R.C.M. née Grove, 1895. Knighted, Easter, 1898.

[ M. ]