| Dr. Joseph Parry |
1841
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1903
Dr. Joseph Parry, Welsh-American musician and
composer (most famous of his works include
'Myfanwy'; 'Aberystwyth'; "Make New Friends But
Keep the Old" and the first opera with Welsh words,
Blodwen') was born in Merthyr Tudful, Wales, on
May 21st 1841.
When he was 12, his father immigrated to Danville,
Pennsylvania, to seek a better life. The rest of the family
followed in 1854.
The entire family became United States Citizens in 1859
Joseph and his family lived a 'Welsh' life in Danville,
attending the Congregational Chapel and the Sunday
school, competing in the eisteddfod, and working hard
in the Rough and Ready iron works on Railroad Street.
composer (most famous of his works include
'Myfanwy'; 'Aberystwyth'; "Make New Friends But
Keep the Old" and the first opera with Welsh words,
Blodwen') was born in Merthyr Tudful, Wales, on
May 21st 1841.
When he was 12, his father immigrated to Danville,
Pennsylvania, to seek a better life. The rest of the family
followed in 1854.
The entire family became United States Citizens in 1859
Joseph and his family lived a 'Welsh' life in Danville,
attending the Congregational Chapel and the Sunday
school, competing in the eisteddfod, and working hard
in the Rough and Ready iron works on Railroad Street.
By his teens, Joseph's musical talents were becoming so well known that
money was raised in Wales and America to send him for three years to the
Royal Academy of Music in London to further his studies. Joseph returned to
Danville in 1871--with a Bachelor of Music degree--to work as a professional
musician and set up his 'Danville Musical Institute'. In 1874 he was invited
to return to Wales as the first Chair of Music at the new University of Wales
at Aberystwyth.
money was raised in Wales and America to send him for three years to the
Royal Academy of Music in London to further his studies. Joseph returned to
Danville in 1871--with a Bachelor of Music degree--to work as a professional
musician and set up his 'Danville Musical Institute'. In 1874 he was invited
to return to Wales as the first Chair of Music at the new University of Wales
at Aberystwyth.
He stayed as the Professor of Music from 1874 to 1881, a controversial period when his
extrovert whims clashed with the University Council's conservatism!
Under a cloud of controversy, he left for Abertawe (Swansea) where he stayed until 1888.
There he further developed his music skills before moving to Caerdydd (Cardiff).
As 'Lecturer in Music' at the University of Wales at Cardiff, he finished his life's commitment
to music with many and varied contributions to music in Wales and beyond.
Joseph married Jane Thomas, the sister of his good friend Gomer Thomas.
The Thomas’ parents had emigrated from Blaenavon, and along with the Roderick family, and
many others from Merthyr and Blaenavon formed a tightly knit community in Danville.
Gomer was the first publisher of Joseph’s music, and became the Organist at the Episcopal
Church whilst Joseph became the organist at the Mahoning Presbyterian church.
Joseph and Jane had five children, Joseph Haydn, Daniel Mendelssohn, William Sterndale,
Annie Edna, and Dilys Joseph.
Joseph died on the 17th February 1903 at the age of 61.
His music remains a part of the rich tradition of Wales
Joseph Parry is remembered every year at the Mahoning Presbyterian Church in Danville,
when the Susquehanna Valley Welsh Society hold a Cymanfa Canu in his honour.
The Cymanfa is always held on the Sunday closest to his birthday May 21st.
extrovert whims clashed with the University Council's conservatism!
Under a cloud of controversy, he left for Abertawe (Swansea) where he stayed until 1888.
There he further developed his music skills before moving to Caerdydd (Cardiff).
As 'Lecturer in Music' at the University of Wales at Cardiff, he finished his life's commitment
to music with many and varied contributions to music in Wales and beyond.
Joseph married Jane Thomas, the sister of his good friend Gomer Thomas.
The Thomas’ parents had emigrated from Blaenavon, and along with the Roderick family, and
many others from Merthyr and Blaenavon formed a tightly knit community in Danville.
Gomer was the first publisher of Joseph’s music, and became the Organist at the Episcopal
Church whilst Joseph became the organist at the Mahoning Presbyterian church.
Joseph and Jane had five children, Joseph Haydn, Daniel Mendelssohn, William Sterndale,
Annie Edna, and Dilys Joseph.
Joseph died on the 17th February 1903 at the age of 61.
His music remains a part of the rich tradition of Wales
Joseph Parry is remembered every year at the Mahoning Presbyterian Church in Danville,
when the Susquehanna Valley Welsh Society hold a Cymanfa Canu in his honour.
The Cymanfa is always held on the Sunday closest to his birthday May 21st.
| Contributions to this article were made by Dulais Rhys and by Fiona Siobhan Powell |