Charles Hubert Hastings Parry
b. Bournemouth, February 27, 1848
d. Knight's Croft, Rustington, October 7, 1918
Biography
The English composer Sir Hubert Parry began his schooling as a business
major. He studied for three years before changing to music. An accomplished
organist, pianist, and violinist, Parry composed for a variety of genres.
However, he was most well known for his choral works.
He began teaching at the Royal College of Music in 1883. He became a
director in 1894, a post he held until his death. From 1900-1908, he served
as a Professor of Music at his Alma Mater, Oxford.
Parry was one of the most influential English composers since Henry Purcell.
He was strongly rooted in the romantic traditions of such composers as
Brahms, Chopin, and Wagner. This was due in large part to his mentor Edward
Danreuther, with whom he studied in 1873. While teaching at Oxford Parry
inspired such prestigious students as Herbert Howells, Gustav Holst and
Ralph Vaughn-Williams. His organ music successfully fuses European romantic
traditions with distinctly English flavors. His music ushers in a new era in
English composition.
Points of Interest
- Parry was the recipient of three honorary doctorate degrees: Cambridge
(1883), Oxford (1884), and Dublin (1891).
- He was knighted in 1898, and was made a Baronet in 1903.
Works
- Prelude and Fugue in G major (two versions, c. 1882 & 1913)
- Toccata and Fugue The Wanderer
- Chorale Fantasia on an old English Tune When I Survey theWondrous
Cross
- Chorale Fantasia on O God, Our Help
- Chorale Fantasia on The Old Hundredth
- Seven Choral Preludes for Organ Set I
- Seven Choral Preludes for Organ Set II
- Elégie