[This is a continuation of my post about the Guild of One-Name Studies' Education Seminar in June, since that post was becoming quite long.]
I'm sure I say this after every seminar, or the Conference, but one of the best features about attending Guild events is the opportunity to meet up with other members. It was good to catch up with a few of the Warwickshire contingent face-to-face at the seminar, rather than just via our zoom meetings. It was also lovely to see members from elsewhere around the country, some of whom I have known for over twenty years now.
And I'm always grateful when one of them has taken the trouble to record a PARRY that they've come across.
So, thank you to Bob Cumberbatch for this photograph of the grave of Hubert PARRY, from St Paul's Cathedral, in London.
Although frequently known as Hubert, this is actually Sir Charles Hubert Hastings PARRY. As a non-musician, I hesitate to even comment about the contribution to music that he made, but I do hope readers will at least recognise the song, "Jerusalem", which comes from a poem by William Blake, called "And did those feet in ancient time," that Hubert set to music.
I don't normally spend much time researching, or trying to write about, "famous" PARRYs. There is already so much information available about them, there seems little point in rehashing it. But I did look at Hubert's family tree some years ago, after reading the book "The Parrys of the Golden Vale."1
The "Golden Vale" is the Golden Valley in Herefordshire, from where a particular PARRY family originated, which had several 'high profile' members, such as Blanch PARRY, lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth I. Since my own family trace back to the border area of South Wales with Herefordshire, and I've always found the Elizabethan period interesting, the book was worth reading.
Some of Hubert's relatives claimed descent from this Herefordshire family - but there was a lack of genealogical evidence. The claim seems to have mainly been based on the family owning some items with the relevant coat of arms on. But, at the same time, they thought their great grandfather had tried to hide his parentage.
Now, that seems an interesting contradiction, hiding one's parentage, while at the same time displaying a coat of arms.
Unless, of course, the two don't match. ☺
It is some years since I researched the family, so perhaps it is time I took another look, in case there is more information available on them now.
But, to go with Bob's photograph, I thought I would transcribe a newspaper report of Hubert's funeral, along with some other tributes to him from the same newspaper2. As you can see, there was a very impressive list of attendees.
The Late Sir Hubert Parry.
BURIED IN ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL.
The funeral of Sir Hubert Parry, Bt.. C.V.O., D.C.L., Mus.Doc. Director of the Royal College of Music, took place on Wednesday afternoon at St. Paul's Cathedral. in the presence of a large congregation. The officiating clergy were the Archdeacon of London, Canon Alexander, and Canon Newbolt. With Sir Walter Parratt presiding at the organ, in the absence, through ill-health, of Mr. Charles Macpherson, there were present as conductors Major H. Walford Davis (organist to the Temple Church) and Dr. H. P. Allen, Professor of Music at Oxford University, the last-named conducting a performance of the dead composer's six-part unaccompanied motet, " There as an old belief." The hymn was " Brief life is here our portion," and to this succeeded Stanford's setting of "I heard a voice from heaven." In addition to Bach's choral prelude. " Jesu, priceless Treasure," which, ere the service began, the organist coupled with Parry's " As pants the hart," there was heard Bach's " Passion " chorale, " Commit thy ways to Jesus." Last of all came the choral prelude for organ which Parry founded upon Croft's "Ye boundless realms of joy," and the service closed with the Benediction pronounced by the Arch-bishop of Canterbury.The King was represented by Mr. Harry Verney, Queen Alexandra was represented by Earl Howe, the Prince of Wales by the Hon. Sir Sidney Greville, and Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, by Colonel Vernor Chater. The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London were present in State, attended by the Macebearer and the Swordbearer, and occupied seats in the choir.The family mourners included: Lady Maud Parry (the widow), Mr. Arthur Ponsonby, M.P. and Mrs. Ponsonby (son-in-law and daughter) Mr. H. Plunket Greene and Mrs. Plunket Greene (son-in-law and daughter) and their children, Mrs. E. T. Cripps and Master William Cripps (Cirencester), Lady Mary von Hugel, the Dowager Countess of Pembroke. the Countess of Pembroke. Lady Herbert. the Misses Gambier Parry, Mr. T. Gambier Parry, Mr. Mark Parry, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Parry, Lieut. Richard Gambier Parry, Miss Joan Gambier Parry, Mr. and Mrs. Oxley Parker, the Hon. Mrs. Ernest Gambier Parry, the Hon. George Herbert, and Mr. Sidney Herbert. Major E. Gambier Parry was prevented by illness from attending the funeral.Nine boys from Eton College acted as pall-bearers, headed by the Keeper of the Field, which Sir Hubert Parry formerly was, with four Oppidans and four Collegers. They were Mr. S. S. Burt, K.S., Mr. G. W. Wrangham, K.S., Mr. W. L. Runciman, K.S., Mr. O. G. Bowlby, K.S., Mr. C. V. N. H. Hely-Hutchinson, K.S., the Hon. Charles Baillie-Hamilton (captain of the Oppidans), Mr. D. O'B. E. ffrensh-Blake, Mr. H. M. Strickland-Constable, and Lord Morven Cavendish-Bentinck.Among those present in the congregation were: Earl Beauchamp (Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire), the Headmaster of Eton, Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (representing the Vice- Chancellor of Cambridge University), Lord and Lady Rayleigh, Lord Stanmore, Lady Delia Peel, the Hon. Lady Reid, Clara Lady Vincent, Sir Edward Poynter, Sir Alexander Mackenzie, Lord Muir Mackenzie, Lord Stuart of Wortley, Mr. Justice Younger, the Dean of Windsor, Canon Edgar Sheppard, Sub-Dean of the Chapels Royal, the Archdeacon of Salisbury, Lady Cynthia Colville, Lady Olga Montagu, the Hon. Norah Dawnay, Lady Parratt, Sir Frederic Cowen, Mr. Landon Ronald, Miss Muriel Foster, Sir Charles Nicholson, M.P. Sir George Donaldson, Sir Homewood Crawford, the Hon. Robert Lyttelton, Sir Francis Champneys, Sir Charles Metcalf, Sir Ernest Palmer, Mr. Lionel Benson, Dr. C. Harford Lloyd, Mr. Montague Muir Mackenzie, Mr. Howard Morley, Mr. Bruce Richmond, Sir Robert Morant, General Sir Desmond O'Callaghan, Sir Walter Raleigh, Dr. Robert Bridges, Sir Sidney Colvin, Mr. Adolphus Liddell, Mrs. Andrew Lang. Sir George Greenwood, M.P., Sir Louis Mallet, Sir William Richmond, Sir Edward and Lady Elgar. Sir Frederick Bridge, Mrs. George Lillie Craik (representing members of the Fynes-Clinton family), Mr. Basil H. Philpott (Chapel Royal, Hampton Court), Prof. H. H. Turner, Mr. Leonard S. Lush Mr. Arthur F. Hill, Dr. R. M. Going, Dr. Gerald Harper. Mr. Herman Klein (representing the music critics' circle of the Institute of Journalists), Mr. C. Partridge, an old member of the choir at Highnam, Canon Park, Mr. W. H. Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Eels (Highnam), Mr. Fred Haine and Mr. and Mrs. King (Over), Mr. J. H. Jones (Gloucester), and Mr. Arthur Grove. There were also present representatives from the Royal Academy of Music, Associated Board R.A.M. and R.C.M., Guildhall School of Music, Trinity College of Music, Royal Choral Society, Royal Philharmonic Society. Royal College of Organists, Bach Choir, Royal Albert Hall Corporation Handel Society, Royal Society of Musicians, People's Concert Society, Musical Association, Music in War-time, Incorporated Society of Musicians, Worshipful Company of Musicians, National Orchestral Association, Staff Sight Singing College, Tonic Sol-fa College, Elizabethan Madrigal Society, Society of British Composers, Cambridge University Musical Society, Cambridge University Musical Club, Welsh Folk Song Society, Three Choirs Festival, Kneller Hall (Royal Military School of Music), Bristol Madrigal Society, Bristol Musical Society, Oxford University Musical Club, Royal College of Music Union Royal College of Music Magazine, Royal Academy of Arts, Oxford University, Cambridge University, London University, Trinity College, Dublin (Dr. P. C. Buck), Oxford University Dramatic Society, Royal Geographical Society, Royal Yacht Society, the Literary Society, the Society of Authors, Queen Alexandra's House, Windsor and Eton Choral Society, and the Professional Classes War Relief Council.The Archdeacon of Bristol was unavoidably absent.
The morning service on Sunday at the Holy Innnocents' Church, Highnam, was of a special Character, memorial being made thereat of the late Sir Hubert Parry. The lessons were taken from Ecclesiasticus, c. 44, and I. Corinthians, c. 15 and the Psalm chosen was the 90th, from the burial office; further portions of that service being read at the end of matins. The Vicar (Canon Park) preached from II. Samuel, c 3, v. 38. his sermon taking the form of an affectionate tribute to the late squire and patron of the church. Additional strength was given to the choir by the welcome presence of Messrs. Rose. F. Trigg, G. Clarke and R. Morgan (the last two being home on leave). Sir H. Parry's exquisite setting to Tennyson's poem "Sunset and Evening Star" and his fine tune to "The roseate hues of early dawn" were sung, and at the close of the service Mr. W. H. Morgan played Beethoven's Funeral March. The service altogether was of a singularly touching as well as appropriate character, and gave expression to the deep feelings of those present at it, for Highnam people fully realise that by the death of Sir H. Parry they have lost not only a great man from their midst, but also one who was a true and genuine friend to all in the parish. Two beautiful laurel wreaths, the gifts respectively of the Staff at Highnam Court Estate and Mr. Morgan and the Choir, were placed on and near that seat in the chancel which the late squire always occupied at public worship. In view of the fact that Sir H. Parry's remains were not to be laid in the church- yard, and also because the Vicar and other leading representatives of the parish had arrangedto attend the public funeral in London on Wednesday, no memorial service could be held on that afternoon at Highnam ; hence it was decided that Sunday morning was the most suitable time for the remembrance to be made of the deceased in his own parish. Wreaths from Highnam were sent from the Vicarage, the servants, and the school teachers and children.
Mr. Muir Mackenzie, hon. secretary of the Royal College of Music. bas receiving (sic) the following letter from Lord Stamfordham :- " Your letter of the 8th inst. announcing the death of Sir Hubert Parry has been laid before the King. His Majesty has received the sad news with deep regret. He regarded Sir Hubert as an old friend, and in his Majesty's successive positions of President and Patron of the College he had opportunity to realise how much it possessed in its gifted and beloved director.The King commands me to convey to the members of the Council the expression of his true sympathy in the irreparable loss which they and the Institution have sustained."
Sir Homewood Crawford writes to "The Times " :-In the various obituary notices which I have read no mention is made of the splendid war work done by Sir Hubert Parry to help to relieve distress in the musical world attributable to the war. Shortly after war broke out the Professional Classes War Relief Council was formed. Sir Hubert Parry, with several other leaders of the musical profession were invited to join the Council, of which the Lord Mayor for the time being is the president. and the Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal Bourne vice-presidents. Major Darwin acting as chairman. Committees were at once set up to deal with the various spheres of the Council's work and Sir Hubert Parry readily accepted the chairmanship of the Music in War-time Committee. For upwards of four years Sir Hubert Parry gave the Committee the benefit of his valuable services, presiding over all committee meetings, and personally investigating and supervising every detail of the work entrusted to the Committee. When I state that the Joint Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John have left to our Committee the organisation of hospital concerts throughout England and Wales it will be readily understood that the task has not been light. Moreover. the alleviation of distress among hundreds of musicians has necessarily involved the Committee—and especially their chairman—in much arduous and anxious work. Sir Hubert Parry never spared himself, and I owe it to his revered memory to make known publicly the increased indebtedness under which the musical profession remains for the never-ending interest taken by him in its welfare. I need hardly say that the important and useful work of the Committee will continue with, if possible, increased vigour, so that the wants of musicians in real distress may not go unrelieved.
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