Parke

English family of musicians. John (1745-1829) and his brother William Thomas (1762-1847) were both oboists in London. William Thomas, the more eminent, extended the oboe's upper range and composed concertos, overtures and songs; he was also a flautist. He left a valuable set of memoirs (1830). John's daughter Maria Hester Park(e) (1775-1822) was a singer, pianist and composer (of keyboard music and glees) and a friend of Haydn during his years in London.