Hubert Parry

Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, born on February 27, 1848, in Bournemouth, England, was a composer who played a significant role in the English musical renaissance of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Parry is best known for his choral works, which include the widely celebrated anthem "Jerusalem," based on a poem by William Blake, and "Blest Pair of Sirens," a setting of John Milton’s ode "At a Solemn Musick." He was also renowned for his output of orchestral and chamber music, including five symphonies and a set of characterful piano works.

An educator as much as a composer, Parry served as the head of the Royal College of Music, where his influence shaped a generation of English musicians, including notable students like Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst. His authoritative book "The Evolution of the Art of Music" is an indication of his scholarly approach to music. Parry's work, which displayed his interest in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven, aimed to uplift the cultural level of English music and steer it away from the Germanic influence dominant at the time. His music navigates the realms of romanticism with a distinctly English character, contributing to a national musical identity. Parry passed away on October 7, 1918, in Rustington, Sussex, leaving behind a robust legacy that includes both his compositions and his impact as a teacher and musicologist.

Genres

Anglican Liturgy

British Modern Classical

Late Romantic Era

Victorian Britain

Related Artists

Gustav Holst

Edward Elgar

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Charles Villiers Stanford

Frederick Delius

William Walton

Gerald Finzi

George Frideric Handel

Franz Schubert

Johannes Brahms

John Ireland

Frank Bridge

Latest Release

I Was Glad

Hubert Parry•

The Choir of Christ's College, Cambridge

Album - 11 Tracks - Released September 4, 2024