Elegie (1918)

Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 1st Baronet (27 February 1848 – 7 October 1918) was an English composer, teacher and historian of music.

As a composer he is best known for the choral song "Jerusalem", the coronation anthem "I was glad", the choral and orchestral ode Blest Pair of Sirens," and the hymn tune "Repton", which sets the words "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind". His orchestral works include five symphonies and a set of Symphonic Variations.

He was a contributor to Grove's massive Dictionary of Music and Musicians in the 1870s and 80s, and then in 1883 as professor of composition and musical history at the Royal College of Music, of which Grove was the first head. In 1895 Parry succeeded Grove as head of the College, remaining in the post for the rest of his life. He was concurrently Heather Professor of Music at the University of Oxford from 1900 to 1908. Stanford rated him as the finest English composer since Henry Purcell. Edward Elgar learned much of his craft from Parry's articles in Grove's Dictionary, and among those who studied under Parry at the Royal College were Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst, Frank Bridge and John Ireland.

This fine and noble "miniature" has an interesting story, that is detailed in full in the notes with the score.

It was composed in March of 1918, but had remained unpublished until Jonathan Clinch of the Royal College of Music made this fine edition in March of 1918, the year that marked the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.

As it says in the remarks, "The Great War had a tremendous effect on Parry." The weight, and darkness are present here, but so is nobility and hope.

Parry himself passed away only one month before the end of the war.

I was completely unaware of this piece, but found it by accident 2 days ago.

It is permissible to share the score, which I have done, attaching it below, as well as 3 photos of Parry, taken throughout the range of his very significant life.