Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

1841

Death

:

1903

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Joseph Parry was a Welsh composer and musician who is best known for his contributions to Welsh music. He was born on May 21, 1841, in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, to a family of musicians. His father, Daniel Parry, was a musician and conductor, and his mother, Elizabeth, was a singer. Joseph Parry showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. Parry's musical education began at the age of nine when he was sent to study with William Thomas, a local musician. He quickly showed a talent for music and began composing his own pieces. In 1854, he was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied under William Sterndale Bennett and Charles Lucas. After completing his studies, Parry returned to Wales and began working as a conductor and composer. He quickly became known for his compositions, which were heavily influenced by Welsh folk music. In 1865, he composed his most famous work, "Myfanwy," which is still a popular Welsh song today. Parry's career continued to flourish, and he became a professor of music at the University College of Wales in Aberystwyth in 1874. He also served as the conductor of the Aberystwyth Choral Society and the Welsh National Eisteddfod. In 1888, he was appointed the first professor of music at the University of Wales in Cardiff. Throughout his career, Parry composed a wide range of music, including operas, cantatas, hymns, and songs. His works were often inspired by Welsh history and mythology, and he was known for his use of Welsh folk melodies in his compositions. One of Parry's most famous works is his opera "Blodwen," which premiered in 1878. The opera tells the story of a young Welsh girl who falls in love with a prince from a neighboring kingdom. The opera was a huge success and was performed throughout Wales and England. Another notable work by Parry is his cantata "Aberystwyth," which was composed in 1884. The cantata tells the story of the founding of the University College of Wales in Aberystwyth and features a number of Welsh folk melodies. Parry's contributions to Welsh music were significant, and he is often referred to as the "father of Welsh music." His compositions helped to establish Welsh music as a distinct genre and inspired a new generation of Welsh composers. Joseph Parry died on February 17, 1903, in Penarth, Wales. His legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and celebrated in Wales and beyond.

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