Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1903-02-19
DIR. PARRY
IS DEAD

DR.. Joseph Parry, the great musica
composer, and Director of the Soutl
Wales School of Music, died on Tues
day. Nothing is known on this side
| of the Atlantic as to the nature OF the
malady which carried off the famou:
man. \ despatch from London print
ed in the morning newspapers OF this
country yesterday barely set forth the
| fact of his death, omitting all details.
| DR.. Parry was one of the most eel,
ebrated musical composers of his gen.
Grafton. He was of humble birth and
his sudden rise from obscurity to a
! position of the greatest eminence III
the musical world had about it all
the elements of romance and gave
evidence Of genius such as only a few
, men have been gifted with.
His remarkable career possesses a
special interest to the people of Dan
Vile, for It was here that he lived and
moved among the common people
here that his genius was discovered
aud where he received his first start
on his upward career.
Born in Wales Joseph Parry with
his parents came to America in 1854,
when he was l3 years OF age. While
a boy he was employed in the Rough
and Ready Iron Works of this city.
Among the employees were Abel Jones,
John Price and Thomas Davis, all fine
musicians. During resting spells it
as customary for the trio to indulge
III singing. Young Parry was always
an Interested listener and by and by
he began to fall in with the singers.
and his extraordinary musical talent
were discovered. Abel Jones, who was
thorough bass musician, encouraged
the boy to write an original score.
Stimulated by the three musicians of
the rolling mill he developed rapidly
and was finally induced, when but 10
years Of age, to write in competition
for an eisteddfod held III Wales. Com
petition was not open to the United
States, but his music under different
assumed names, was submitted to the
eisteddfod through an uncle living in
Wales. There were six first class
premiums ont of which lie took three.
He competed again the following
year, when six first class premiums
were offered, three for anthems. He
took four of these including both the
anthems. The board of adjudicators
were under the impression that the
writer was man of middle life and
ripe experience and were surprised i'll
the extreme to learn that he was only
a youth of twenty years.
They then demanded to know who
the remarkable young man was and
whore he was located, stating that if
he should happen to be outside the
boundary the circumstance should not
count against him. Thus it was that
Joseph Parry became known to the
musicians on the other side of the
Atlantic.
The Royal Academy of Music was
finally attracted to him and he was
offered free tuition.
Mr.. Parry, who had married just
about this time, was not financially
able to bear the expenses incidental
to a course in the Royal Academy, but
his friends in Danville and a few
towns came to his rescue.
A series of concerts for his benefit
were held in Danville, Plymoath and
Wilkesbarre, by which considerable
sum of money was realized.
Accompanied by his wife Mr.. Parry
went to London and took a four years
course in the Royal Academy. Dur
ing his last year he appeared before
the Queen three times at her special
Each time at the Queens re-
quest he played only his own produc
tions.
On the occasion of his graduation he
was signally honored. Mrs Gladstone
at her request was permitted to pre-
sent him with his diploma. While do
ing so she handed him a gold chrono-
meter watch for himself and soli-
taire diamond ring for.his wife. Sir
Brinley Richards Of the faculty gave
it as his opinion that DR.. Parry in the
scope of his talents came more nearly
up to Haydn, Mozart, Handel and
Beethoven than any others who have
lived since those famous old masters.
Sir Brindley Richards further said that
Parry was equally fitted for the stage
or as writer. The accuracy of this
fattering view was we'll domonstrat-
ed by the brilliant composers sub
sequent career.
DIR. Parry returned to America in
1871, remaining three years, and spend
ing the greater part of the time III
Danville.
During the fall of 1899 DR.. Parry
with a quartette of artists of the very
first order came to America and gave
concerts in the first cities OF the coun
try as well as one in Danvillo, a town
which he never neglected to honor
with every opportunity.
DR.. Parry's wife is sister of Pro
fessor Conner Thomas Of this city.
His homo was in Cardiff, Solth Wales.
He is survived by his wife, one son,
Mendelssohn, and two daughters, Mrs.
W. +. Waite and Miss Dilys, all of
whom live in Wales.