Hubert Parry

• Born: February 27, 1848, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
• Died: October 07, 1918, Knight's Croft, Rustington, Engla
• Genres: Classical

Biography

Parry's education began at Exeter College, Oxford and continued with lessons in composition with E. Dannreuther, who introduced Parry to the music of Wagner and provided him with a place to perform his early chamber works. Publication of his music began in the 1860's, but it was not until the 1880's that his work came to public attention with his cantata, Scenes from Prometheus Unbound. This work was considered to be a call for higher standards in composition, in that it employed a worthy poetic text and displayed a Wagnerian influence. His choral works are known for their wit and vitality, an example of which is I Was Glad, composed for the coronation of Edward VII and sung for every coronation since. Parry was also a music scholar, publishing The Art of Music, the 3rd volume of the Oxford History of Music, The Music of the Seventeenth Century and a biography of J.S. Bach. These and other writings helped to restore music to a place of distinction that it had lost over the previous two centuries. His unofficial leadership in the music world played a greatly influential role in the art world of his time. ~ Lynn Vought, All Music Guide