Parry, (Charles) Hubert (Hastings) (1848-1918)

English composer. His works include songs, motets, and the setting of Milton's ‘Blest Pair of Sirens’ and Blake's ‘Jerusalem’.

He studied at Oxford with George Macfarren and William Sterndale Bennett. He did not make his mark in public until his piano concerto was played by Edward Dannreuther at the Crystal Palace at Sydenham Hill, London, in 1880, and his choral scenes from Shelley's ‘Prometheus Unbound’ appeared at the Gloucester Festival the same year. He was awarded honorary doctorates by Cambridge University in 1883, Oxford University in 1884, and Dublin University in 1891. After examining for London University and teaching at the Royal College of Music, London, he succeeded George Grove as director of the latter in 1894, remaining until his death. He was professor of music at Oxford 1900-08. He wrote several books on music, including a study of Bach and a volume of the Oxford History of Music.

Works Stage opera Guinevere (1885-86); incidental music to Aristophanes' The Birds, The Frogs (1891), The Clouds (1905), and The Acharnians (1914).

Choral with orchestra oratorios Job; six motets, four Songs of Farewell, and two other motets for chorus; scenes from Shelley's ‘Prometheus Unbound’ (1880), ode Blest Pair of Sirens (Milton, 1887), L'Allegro ed il penseroso (Milton), Jerusalem (Blake) for chorus.

Orchestral five symphonies (1878-1912), Lady Radnor's Suite (1894), and An English Suite for string orchestra (1921).

Chamber and songs nonet for wind instruments, four piano trios; sonatas for violin and piano, and cello and piano; organ and piano music; over 100 songs, including 74 in 12 books of English Lyrics (1885-1920).