PARRY
,
JOHN
(‘
The Blind Harpist
’;
1710?
-
1782
), of
Ruabon
;
b. at
Bryn Cynan
, near
Nevin, Caerns.
,
c.
1710
.
Thomas
Price
(
Carnhuanawc
, q.v.)
says that his
harp teacher
was
Robert
Parry
,
Llanllyfni, Caerns.
;
Edward
Jones
(
Bardd y Brenin
, q.v.)
says that he received
lessons from
Stephen Shôn
Jones
,
Penrhyndeudraeth
. He became one of the best
harpists
in the kingdom and took part at concerts given in
London
,
Cambridge
,
Oxford
, and
Dublin
. He was
family harpist
at
Wynnstay
,
Denbighshire
, the home of the
Williams Wynn
family
. His greatest service to
Wales
was rendered by his three publications: (a)
Antient British Music
,
1742
(in the preparation of this work he was assisted by
Evan
Williams
(b.
1706
) (q.v.)
; (b)
A Collection of Welsh, English, and Scotch Airs
,
1761
; and (c)
British Harmony, being a Collection of Antient Welsh Airs
,
1781
. He d. in
1782
— in Nov. according to the
Gentleman's Magazine
, but in Oct. according to
Edward
Jones
(
Musical and Poetical Relics …
). It is believed that he was buried in
Ruabon
churchyard.
Bibliography:
-
Oxford Dictionary of National
Biography
;
-
R. Griffith
,
Llyfr Cerdd Dannau
. [1913.]
;
-
M. O. Jones
,
Bywgraffiaeth Cerddorion Cymreig
,
National Eisteddfod Association publication, 1890
;
-
Groves
,
Groves’ Dictionary of Music and
Musicians
, 4th ed., 1940
;
-
J. Lloyd Williams
,
Y tri thelynor arloeswyr cerddorol Cymru yn
y ddeunawfed ganrif
, 1945
;
-
Y Cerddor
,
Sept. 1889.
Author:
Robert David Griffith, M.A., (1877-1958), Old Colwyn
