Parry's music experiencing a renaissance
by Colin Burrow
Although born at Bournemouth, Charles Hubert Parry was very much a man of Gloucestershire. He spent his formative years at Highnam Court and took residence there after his mother's death in 1896.
His father, Thomas Gambier, was an art collector and distinguished painter.
Eminent in the late Victorian and Edwardian musical establishment, Parry became a sort of pre-messianic figure: his work fostered a climate in Britain, 'the land without music', where the talents of Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Holst and others could flourish.
A prolific composer, Parry's music has suffered much unjustified neglect, but there may be a renaissance - his Fifth Symphony was given a rare outing at this year's BBC Proms.
Highnam Church is an entirely appropriate setting for Parry's music. Here, the composer worshipped many times and its interior is lavishly decorated with his father's strikingly colourful frescoes.
Parry's fine Songs of Farewell have rightly retained a place in the repertoire of a cappella choirs. They were the single work performed by St cecilia Singers in this short concert.
The novelty was the presence of a narrator, chronicler of local music Anthony Boden. His excellent commentary offered succint illuminating biography and placed the songs in historical perspective.
The songs were meticulously prepared by the Singer's young conductor Ashley Grote. Close attention to detail resulted in clarity of both diction and parts.
Sombre music might be anticipated, as the title 'farewell' refers to loss of mortal coils. However the performance revealed the variety in the six songs and their peculiar exultation.
Expressive singing covered a spectrum from hushed pianissimo to ear-tingling incisive potency. If the music on occasion seems overly elaborate, as in Never Weather Beaten Sail, heard in this context, the cumulative effect has the power to move.
More Parry please. The festival is, of course, a vehicle for choral music, but perhaps room might be found for a Parry symphony when the festival comes back to Gloucester.
