Parry

[tjguitar]

I read on the older forum that he is similar to Stanford and I like Stanford...but Chandos has the 3 disc set of the complete Parry Symphonies for a hefty retail price of $50, which is just as much as the Stanford which is 4 discs...I got the Stanford set fairly discounted, but the cheapest I see the Parry is around $40 at overstock.


Is it recommended?  Or nothing special?  Of course if Chandos were to reissue it at midprice or budget, that would be ideal....


TJ

[vandermolen]

The Chandos set is fine but maybe worth waiting until it is available at a cheaper price. I would not, however, be without Boult's Lyrita and EMI recordings of Parry's "Symphonic Variations" and Symphony 5 (EMI). I actually prefer the Parry Variations to those of Elgar. More concise,but just as moving in its understated way.

[sound67]

The Chandos set is fine but maybe worth waiting until it is available at a cheaper price. I would not, however, be without Boult's Lyrita and EMI recordings of Parry's "Symphonic Variations" and Symphony 5 (EMI).

The "Symphonic Variations" may be Parry's orchestral masterpiece. It can hold its own against Brahms's Haydn Variations. The Boult CD mentioned is just great:


http://www.lyrita.co.uk/cgi-bin/lyrita_build.pl?filename=SRCD0220.txt

Thomas

[tjguitar]

would not, however, be without Boult's Lyrita and EMI recordings of Parry's "Symphonic Variations" and Symphony 5 (EMI).

Is the symphony out of print?

Anyways, I forgot to mention that I do have the following CD which has Bamert's recording of the Symphonic Variations:

[vandermolen]

The Lyrita was recently reissued (£10 from MDT in UK)

The Bamert is good but the Boult is better.

[Harry]

I have this one, and think it good!

[PerfectWagnerite]

I have Symphony No. 5; Elegy for Brahms; From Death to Life from the complete Chandos set. I think the music is horribly boring, certainly nothing special. I haven't heard Stanford so I can't comment on whether Parry and Stanford are similar or not.

[sound67]

Wagner fans tend to find music written by composers leaning towards Brahms boring. However, it is not. From Death to Life is a fine tone poem, and No.5 a highly concentrated, eloquent symphony.

Thomas

[PerfectWagnerite]

Wagner fans tend to find music written by composers leaning towards Brahms boring. However, it is not. From Death to Life is a fine tone poem, and No.5 a highly concentrated, eloquent symphony.

Thomas

I love Brahms though.

In any case I much prefer other British composers like VW and Bax. Is the music of Parry pleasant, certainly, but I wouldn't drop a tear if I never get to know it though.

[Scarpia]

Parry doesn't come up often around here.

Listened to the Elegy for Brahms and Symphonic Variations on Bamert's odds and ends disc (shown above) and I'd say the music is well crafted but strikingly derivative of Brahms' style.  There is the major/minor chiaroscuro, and certain traits of orchestration which really bear Brahms' imprint.  But I do like the sound of it and am tempted to seek out at least some of the symphony recordings.  Does Parry show originality in his proper symphonies?

[Elgarian]

But I do like the sound of it and am tempted to seek out at least some of the symphony recordings.  Does Parry show originality in his proper symphonies?

I don't think I know enough to comment on his originality, except by observing that with Parry there's always some Brahms in the background. But even so, Parry does have a distinctive voice in his symphonies, and it's possible to listen to certain passages and think 'that's pure Parry'.

His second (Cambridge) symphony, while not profound, and perhaps a little sweet for some tastes, is actually one of my personal favourite symphonies - full of melody; and the slow movement (one of those 'pure Parry' episodes, has a yearning, romantic quality to it that I like very much, but which won't be everyone's cup of tea.

The third (English) and fourth symphonies are a distinct step forward, and there are passages in them that are so reminiscent of Elgar that one realises that the Elgar 'sound' didn't by any means just appear from nowhere. But the overall tone remains 'Parry', not 'proto-Elgar' (Brahms influence invariably not far away of course). The third and fourth symphonies are both substantial works, and shouldn't have been dismissed from the repertoire in the way they were, and are. I've never quite clicked with the 5th symphony myself, but perhaps I'll warm to it one of these days. The 'Symphonic Variations' (which someone mentioned earlier in this thread) are great fun of course, though I find I exhaust it quickly.

[snyprrr]

What? Parry is so great that he gets a one word Title?

What if I started a "Jones" thread?

[Elgarian]

What if I started a "Jones" thread?

I'm afraid Jones's symphonies are very derivative of Smith's.

[eyeresist]

I'm afraid Jones's symphonies are very derivative of Smith's.

Also Jo(hn) Blow.

[Scarpia]

Listened to Parry's "From Life to Death" (or is it the other way around?).  A very nice piece.  Built from interesting, recognizable themes, which are developed in an interesting way harmonically, and with some moments of true drama and depth.  Based on the date of composition it is clear he was a bit old-fashioned in his day, but wrote with skill and feeling.  I'd say he is a first-rate second-rate composer.  I have his symphony set on order now and have no regrets, after listening to this piece.

[Elgarian]

I'd say he is a first-rate second-rate composer.

That's a pretty fair description, I'd say. (He was also, by all accounts, a very nice chap.)

[secondwind]

All in all, there are much worse things to be than a first-rate second-rate composer and a very nice chap.  I'll have to listen to some Parry to make his acquaintance!

[vandermolen]

All in all, there are much worse things to be than a first-rate second-rate composer and a very nice chap.  I'll have to listen to some Parry to make his acquaintance!

The Symphonic Variations are first rate IMHO.

[Elgarian]

All in all, there are much worse things to be than a first-rate second-rate composer and a very nice chap.  I'll have to listen to some Parry to make his acquaintance!

There certainly are. Among guests at my imaginary artists' dinner, where I'm allowed to invite any composers, painters, and writers from any time, anywhere, Parry is near the top of the list.

If you get the Chandos recording of the second symphony, you also get the Symphonic Variations which, as Vandermolen says, represent Parry in tiptop form.

http://www.amazon.com/Parry-Symphony-Cambridge-Symphonic-Variations/dp/B000000AMY/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1267374279&sr=1-10

[vandermolen]

If you get the Chandos recording of the second symphony, you also get the Symphonic Variations which, as Vandermolen says, represent Parry in tiptop form.

http://www.amazon.com/Parry-Symphony-Cambridge-Symphonic-Variations/dp/B000000AMY/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1267374279&sr=1-10

I actually prefer them to the Elgar Enigma Variations - but maybe that is because I am over-familiar with the Elgar. They are more concise too - but still moving in an understated kind of way. Boult's Lyrita recording is best I think, but you wont go wrong with the Chandos version.