Sir Hubert Parry became a well-known public figure in his lifetime, celebrated as composer of the anthem I was Glad for the Coronation of Edward VII in 1902, and the song Jerusalem, written during the First World War, as well as numerous other works. Because of his aristocratic background and inherited wealth, he was typically imagined as a conservative landowner and pillar of the establishment, but this was mistaken. Parry was a social radical with a secular and deeply humanitarian outlook. His wife was a fervent supporter of the suffragist cause, and Parry was happy in 1918 to dedicate Jerusalem to the Women’s Movement. Although Parry was recognised with public honours and titles, he was increasingly troubled and sometimes depressed as he grew older, particularly during the First World War. His family life brought much sadness, and, as a great admirer of German culture he was appalled by the horrors of the war.
The Songs of Farewell, completed in 1915, were Parry’s last significant composition and may be seen as a distillation of a lifetime’s work and thought, as well as a commentary on the troubled years during which he worked on the songs. Sadly, Parry himself never heard the whole group of songs performed in his lifetime, and they are only rarely sung as a complete group today.
On 29 March Cantores Chamber Choir, directed by Simon Harper, will perform all the Songs of Farewell in the setting of Highnam Church, built and lavishly decorated by his father Thomas Gambier-Parry. This concert will be preceded by a talk on Parry given by Toby Thacker, who has worked with Parry’s private papers, and written about his experience of the First World War.
On 5 April the choir will perform the Songs of Farewell in St. Philip’s and St. James’ Church in Cheltenham, along with selected works by Stanford, Elgar, Holst, Frank Bridge, and Howells.
Saturday 29 March 2025 at the Holy Innocents Church, Highnam (7:00pm) tickets including talk, limited to 100 Saturday 5 April 2025 at St Philip & St James Church, Leckhampton, Cheltenham (4:00pm) tickets tea & cake availableTickets £15 (U18s & Students £5).