HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Hubert Parry

Born on 27 February 1848 in Bournemouth, England, Charles Hubert Hastings Parry was the gentleman indeed, his father an artist and art collector, having inherited no small wealth originating in his family with the East India Company prior to the 19th century. The obscure Parry majored in conservative church and choral music, also composing songs, pieces for keyboard or chamber, as well as orchestral works such as incidental music. He also wrote several books on music. Parry played and studied organ in church capacities as a youth. Beginning in 1856 he attended preparatory schools in Malvern and Twyford until enrolling in Eton Collage in 1861. 'A Little Piano Piece' is thought to have emerged in 1862 along with a set of variations [Cooper].

Parry composed the anthem, 'In My Distress', in 1863. Works thought written in 1864 include 'Grand Fugue with Three Subjects' in G and the anthem, 'Blessed is He', the latter published in 1865 as well as 'Prevent Us, O Lord'. 'Prevent Us, O Lord' is the incipit of 'The Collect' from 'Forms of Prayer to Be Used at Sea' in the 'Book of Common Prayer'. The 'Book of Common Prayer' was first completed under the reign of King Edward VI of England in 1549. It was revised in 1604 under King James. Its standard version arrived in 1662 under Charles II. William Byrd is the first to have set 'Prevent Us, O Lord' to music circa 1585.

'Prevent Us, O Lord' E-flat major Anthem by Sir Hubert Parry

Published 1865

Text from 'The Collect' of 'Forms of Prayer To Be Used at Sea' from 'The Book of Common Prayer'

Hamoritai

Score

Upon earning a bachelor degree in music at Eton in 1867, Parry left for Exeter College in Oxford to study, not music, but law and history. Parry published the song, 'The River of Life', in 1870 either before or while working as an underwriter for Lloyd's of London from 1870 to 1877. Other works composed during that period include several songs, a few pieces for pianoforte, the lost overture titled 'Vivian' and choral works including an oratorio.

Parry wasn't able to arrive to success in insurance because he spent his time studying music and composing to escape it. He had also begun writing articles in 1875 for George Grove's huge 'Dictionary of Music and Musicians', that first published in 1878 [IMSLP]. Works for chamber and orchestra began to appear in 1878, but Parry wasn't to become a rock star of classical composing. Albeit strong with choral works, he owned lesser interest in orchestration. His only opera, 'Guinevere', circa 1885-86, was rejected by the Carl Rosa opera company.

'Symphony No.1' G major Sir Hubert Parry

Composed 1878–82

London Philharmonic Matthias Bamert

'Symphony No.3' ('The English') C major Sir Hubert Parry

Premiere 23 May 1889 at St. James Hall in London w Parry conducting

London Philharmonic Matthias Bamert

IMSLP Portobello Orchestra

Parry published 'The Art of Music' in 1893, expanded to 'The Evolution of the Art of Music' in 1897. He assumed a professorship at Oxford University in 1900 from which he resigned in 1908 for medical causes. His place in the annals of classical music is singularly preserved by his hymn, 'Jerusalem', composed during World War I (1914-18) and first performed in London on 28 March 1916.

'I Was Glad' Anthem by Sir Hubert Parry

Processional written for King Edward VII's coronation of 1902

Text from 'Psalm 122'

Choir of Westminster Abbey w the Choir of Her Majesty's Chapel Royal James O'Donnell

Fanfare Trumpeters of the Band of the Welsh Guards Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Barnwell

Organ: Martin Ford

Classic fM London Concert Choir Rochester Choral

St. Margaret's Debi Simons Wikipedia

'Symphony No.5' B minor Sir Hubert Parry

Premiere 5 Dec 1912 at Queen's Hall in London w Parry conducting

London Philharmonic Matthias Bamert

IMSLP Classical Iconoclast Land of Lost Content

'Fantasia and Fugue' Op 188 G major Sir Hubert Parry

Composed 1877-1912

Organ: Roger Sayer

IMSLP Bonnie Fleming Hyperion

'Jerusalem' Aka 'And Did Those Feet in Ancient Time' Op 208 Anthem by Sir Hubert Parry

Premiere 28 March 1916 in London

Text: William Blake

Royal Choral Society Richard Cooke Organ: Richard Pearce 2022

BBC Classic fM The Conversation The Guardian

Brian Havergal IMSLP Dr. David Vernon Wikipedia

Also of note are Parry's 'Songs of Farewell' written 1916–1918. Parry wrote these melodies during World War I in honor of the soldiers who were losing their lives during that conflict, his own students getting killed.