Cofiant Dr. Joseph Parry Mus. Doc. (1841-1903)/O Lundain i Landudno ac yn ol
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Dinas y Llyn Halen |
XXII. O Lundain i Landudno ac yn ol.
Hunan-gofiant:
1896: Bythgofiadwy fydd cyngerdd y Roseberry Hall ynglŷn â'm tysteb genedlaethol: naw o gorau bechgyn goreu'r De a thua naw mil o bobl. Pery effeithiau y corau'n cydganu i adsain yn fy nghlustiau hyd nes y disgyn llen olaf y bywyd hwn.
Derbyniaf fy nhrydedd gomisiwn gan yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol "Cambria " yn Llandudno—llwyddiant arall; er fod côr yr Eisteddfod mewn perigl o beidio rhoi datganiad canmoladwy, eto sicrheais i'r gwaith lwyddiant a derbyniad da.
Cyflwynir i mi dysteb genedlaethol (£630)—swm a ddefnyddir i brynu fy nhrigle presennol, "Cartref," Penarth. Byddai'r hanes yma'n anghyflawn pe gadewid allan enw'r anrhydeddus Anthony Howells, gan mai efe oedd trysorydd y Parry Fund gyntaf (1866—71) yn Youngstown, Ohio, yn gystal â'r Parry Testimonial Fund; ac yr oedd llwyddiant y ddwy'n ddyledus i raddau helaeth i'w ymdrechion cyson a diflin ef. Y mae'r natur ddynol dlawd hon yn wan a chyfnewidiol gyda llawer, ond nid felly ynnoch chwi, fy nghyfaill ffyddlon, tuag ataf fi.
1897 Daw fy nghorau Tonic Solfa, o Dde a Gogledd Cymru, yn rhifo 3000 o leisiau, i'r Crystal Palace i ddatganu detholiadau o'm gweithiau. Rhoddir hefyd fy Sain—Bryddest (Tone—Poem) i gorws, organ, cerddorfa, a phedair seindorf bres. Drwg gennyf orfod dywedyd nad oedd y corau wedi hanner dysgu'r miwsig.
YN nechreu 1896 ymgeisiodd Dr. Parry am y swydd o Brifathro yn y Guildhall School of Music, Llundain, fel olynydd i Syr Joseph Barnby. Gan ei fod yn awr yn bymtheg a deugain oed, ac wedi dal
Y goleu llym sy'n curo ar orsedd teyrn
am lawer blwyddyn, y mae ei dystysgrifau ar yr achlysur yn rhai y gellir dibynnu arnynt. Dangosant hefyd ei fod wedi dysgu llawer oddiar 1883 yn y mater o ddewis ategwyr, er ei fod o hyd yn methu gwrthod rhai amherthnasol. Oblegid hyn rhaid i ninnau ddethol.
Beth bynnag yw gwerth cerddorol y dystysgrif a ganlyn oddiwrth gorfforaeth Caerdydd, y mae ganddi hawl i le yn y Cofiant; gan y meddai'r aelodau hawl i siarad amdano "fel dyn, dinesydd, a chymydog," ac hefyd fel addysgydd, gan ei fod ers dwy flynedd yn cynnal dosbarthau hwyrol lluosog (dros gant mewn rhif) dan y Technical Instruction Committee—mewn cerddoriaeth wrth gwrs.
To the Chairman and Committee of the Guildhall School of Music, London.
Gentlemen,
We, the undersigned, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors of the County Borough of Cardiff, being informed that Dr. Joseph Parry is a Candidate for the post of Principal of the Guildhall School of Music in succession to the late Sir Joseph Barnby, beg to most strongly recommend him for the appointment.
"Dr. Parry sustains the highest reputation and is universally esteemed as a musician. He has distinguished himself as an educationist and as a conductor and composer in all the varied and highest forms of musical composition, and he combines most happily the numerous qualifications essential for the complete tuition of musical students.
As a man, a citizen, and a neighbour he is greatly beloved, and he is ever ready to devote himself most assiduously to any work he is called upon to perform."
Arwyddwyd gan y Maer (Lord Windsor) a deuddeg ar hugain o henaduriaid a chynghorwyr.
Y Prifathro Viriamu Jones a ddywed:
"Dr. Joseph Parry is, I understand, a candidate for the post of Principal of the Guildhall School of Music. He has been Lecturer in Music at this College since October, 1888, and I gladly take the opportunity of bearing testimony to his power as a teacher, and to the success which has attended his work here. Dr. Parry is a musician of very varied attainments, and very large experience as a teacher. Others more fitted to pronounce on such a point than I am will speak of his musical compositions, and the power and originality by which they are characterized. He is a man of high character, and he will, I feel convinced, always devote himself with self-sacrificing ardour to any work he may undertake.
"I recommend his candidature very heartily to the most careful consideration of the Electing Body.
J. VIRIAMU JONES, M.A. (Oxon.), B.Sc. (Lond.), F.R.S.,
Principal."
Ei gyd-athrawon eto:
"Learning that our colleague, Dr. Parry, is a candidate for the Principalship of the Guildhall School of Music, we desire heartily to support his application. Of his abilities as a musician we are not entitled to speak, but, from long intercourse with Dr. Parry, we are able to testify, as we do with great pleasure, to the many qualifications, both as a man and as a teacher, which he possesses for such a position as he now seeks.
Dr. Parry is a man of untiring energy and perseverance; to these qualities, directed by a great power of initiative, he owes in a great measure his present position in the musical world, a position which he has attained in the face of very great difficulties. As a student he has put before himself a high ideal of excellence, which he has spared no pains to realize; and as a teacher he has always endeavoured to awaken in his pupils a similar aspiration, and, as far as we can judge, he has succeeded in a marked degree. Dr. Parry is entirely devoted to music ; and it would be difíìcult to find any one of whom it could be more truly said that he lives for his art. Moreover, his enthusiasm is not limited to the compositions which have created his distinguished reputation in Wales and outside; he is no less enthusiastic as a teacher, and he has for many years laboured indefatigably for the advancement of musical knowledge among all classes in the Principality. With beginners, as young composers, vocalists, and pianists, he has always shown much sympathy. Should he be appointed to the post for which he is now a candidate, we feel quite certain that he would apply himself to its duties with the same energy, the same generous devotion, and the same buoyant enthusiasm which have hitherto characterized his work. We venture to add, that in all personal relations Dr. Parry would be found a most pleasant and genial colleague. We beg very strongly to recommend his candidature to the favourable consideration of the electors.
A. L. Selby, M.A., Assistant Prof. of Physics, formerly
Fellow of Merton College, Oxford.
G. Chatterton Richards, M.A ., Prof. of Greek, late
Fellow of Hertford College, Oxford.
Claude M. Thompson, M.A ., D.Sc., Prof. of Chemistry.
R. Seymour Conway, M.A., Prof. of Latin, late Fellow
of Caius College, Cambridge.
H. W. Lloyd Tanner, M.A.,
Prof. of Maths. and Astronomy.
R. H . Pinkerton, M.A., Assistant Lecturer on Maths.
F. T. Arnold, M.A ., Lecturer in German and Comparative Philology.
D. Tyssil Evans, M.A., B.Sc., Lecturer in Hebrew.
T. Raymont, M.A., Normal Master.
A. G . Little, M.A ., Lecturer in History.
Thomas A. Powell, M.A ., Professor of Celtic.
W. N . Parrer, Ph.D., Professor of Biology.
O. Yaughan, M.A ., Professor of English.”
Ei ddisgyblion:
"We, the past and present students of the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire and of the South Wales School of Music, hereby desire to express our great esteem and appreciation of Dr. Parry, both as a musician and teacher, in his candidature for the Principalship of the Guildhall School of Music.
"We sincerely hope he may be successful, although the loss to us would be very great, and his departure from Wales would be much regretted.
"As a musician and teacher we have always found him most energetic and most thorough, and we believe him to be fully competent to fill so important a post.
Signed on their behalf,
IVOR JOHN, Normal Department.
KATE SAWLE, Technical Department.
D. EVANS, Mus. Bac. (Cantab.), Composition Class.
D. C. WILLIAMS, Orchestral Class.
W. O. JONES, Counterpoint.
A. GERTRUDE DUCKERS,
MABEL H. DAVIES, Form Class
ETHEL LEE, Form Class
W. J. EVANS, Harmony Class.
QUEENIE MARTIN, Harmony Class.
A. M. SETTER, Pianoforte.
CLAUDE THORNEY, Vocal."
A'r "Orchestral Society"
"The Committee of the Cardiff Orchestral Society has much pleasure in testifying to the conspicuous ability displayed by Dr. Joseph Parry during the three years in which he acted as conductor of the Society. The great improvement under his conductorship was acknowledged by the press and the public generally.
- On behalf of the Committee,
- W. A. MORGAN."
- On behalf of the Committee,
Signor Manuel Garcia:
"Dear Dr. Parry,
If you think that the expression of my great respect and regard for you will in any way assist you to obtain the post of Principal of the Guildhall School of Music, I am too happy that you should make use of it. I hope to hear that the Directors have availed thcmselves of the opportunity of securing your services. I also have great pleasure in stating that you were my pupil in the Royal Academy of Music for three years, and that you not only understand the cultivation of the voice, but have attained a high degree of proíìciency in other musical studies, and through your long experience have thoroughly qualified yourself for the post you desire.
Believe me,
Faithfully yours,
Manuel Garcia."
Mr. E. H. Turpin:
"Although I have previously expressed my interest in connection with certain candidature for the important post of Principal of the Guildhall School of Music, I desire to be permitted to write that I consider my friend, Dr. Joseph Parry, of Cardiff, Professor of Music, University College of South Wales, to be a most desirable candidate for that office. Dr. Joseph Parry is the composer of many important works and the author of several compositions, as oratorios, operas, cantatas, of artistic importance. He is the recognized leader of inusic in Wales and has earned the high esteem in which he is held by his admirable musicianship, his marked skill and success as a teacher, and by the eamestness and diligence he has displayed in all the. responsible work placed in his hands, He would make an excellent Principal of thc great City Music School.
E. H. Turpin."
Ceir y tystiolaethau canlynol oddiwrth bersonau oedd erbyn hyn wedi meirw: Sir George Grove : "Dr. Joseph Parry’s musical abilities and achievements are too well-known to require any testimonial."
Sir G. A . Macfarren: "I have heard a performance of his oratorio “ Emmanuel/ which is a work of high merit, and have inspected other music by him, which also shows remarkable talent."
Sir John Stainer: "Dr. Joseph Parry has proved himself to be an able and sound musician."
H. Weist Hill (Principal, Guildhall School of Music): "I have the pleasure to certify from personal knowledge that Dr. Parry possesses the highest qualifications as a theoretical musician, composer, and excellent conductor. Having heard Dr. Joseph Parry's oratorio Emmanuel,' conducted by him in St. James's Hall, London, I can conscientiously speak of him as a most accomplished musician."
Signor Randegger: "I have watched your career with much interest ever since you were a distinguished student at our Royal Academy of Music, and I consider that as a composer, a conductor, and a learned and enthusiastic musician, you are not only an honour to the Institution where you received your musical education, but also to the principality, which is so rich in musical notabilities."
Yr oedd deunaw ar hugain o ymgeiswyr, ac yn eu plith— heblaw Parry—Lee Williams, Caerloyw, a Roland Rogers, Bangor. Daeth Parry a Lee Williams allan ymysg y deg uchaf yn y pleidleisiad cyntaf; ond y pump a ddewis— wyd wedyn allan o'r deg hyn oedd: W. H. Cummings, A. J. Caldicott, W. H. Thomas, E. H. Turpin, ac F. Sawyer. Yr oedd y balot terfynol rhwng Cummings a Thomas, ac o'r ddau hyn etholwyd Cummings.
Ni wyddom gan ba deimlad neu amcan yr ysgogid Parry i ymgeisio am y swydd hon. Ni allwn ddychmygu am foment ei fod yn troi ei gefn ar Gymru a'i buddiannau'n fwy na llawer o Gymry eraill sydd yn byw'n y Brifddinas; ond efallai y teimlai'n siomedig am na welai obaith sylweddoli ei ddelfryd o addysg gerddorol, nac ychwaith o'i godi yntau o fod yn ddarlithydd i fod yn athro. Beth bynnag am hyn, gallwn fod yn sicr mai hyfryd ydoedd iddo droi ei gefn ar wrthodiad y Saeson o'i wasanaeth, a mynd i Landudno ychydig yn ddiweddarach i dderbyn prawf mewn tysteb o werthfawrogiad ei gyd—genedl o'i wasanaeth iddi hi yn y gorffennol. Datganwyd ei gantawd "Cambria," a chyflwynwyd y dysteb iddo yn yr un cyngerdd, a'r ddau gyda brwdfrydedd. Swm y dysteb oedd £630; ac er nad oedd hyn yn swm mawr i'r genedl, yn neilltuol pan gofiwn i Gymry America gyfrannu dros £100, ni dderbyniwyd hyd yn oed y swm hwn mor ddigymell ag a ellid ddymuno. Bu'n rhaid i'w gyfeillion drefnu nifer o gyngherddau mewn gwahanol fannau i ddod â'r swm i fyny i hyn. Bu'r cyngherddau hyn, fodd bynnag, yn dra llwyddiannus ymhob ystyr. Dywedai'r papurau am un a gynhaliwyd yn y Rosebery Hall, Caerdydd, ei fod y mwyaf, a'r mwyaf llwyddiannus a fu erioed yn y ddinas. Bernid fod tua deng mil yn bresennol, a chymerid rhan gan gorau meibion Abercarn, Aman, Cynon, Hen Feibion (Porth), Pontycymmer, Porth a Chymmer, Rhondda, Treherbert, a Threorci, tra yr unai'r oll o'r rhain ar y diwedd dan arweiniad Caradog i ganu'r "Soldiers' Chorus (Gounod), gyda chyfeiliant milwrol ac offerynnol cyflawn.
Tynnodd y fath amlygiad o frwdfrydedd—yn dod yn fuan ar ol siomedigaeth Llundain—y datganiad a ganlyn oddiwrth Parry fel cyfran o un o'i ysgrifau i'r "South Wales Daily News": "Gymrodyr Cymreig,—Y mae'r arddangosiad nodedig a wnaethoch y Sadwrn diweddaf o barch a mawrygiad ohonof fi fel cerddor Cymreig yn hynod yn hanes cerddoriaeth ein hannwyl wlad, ac wedi cyrraedd hyd at gysegr nesaf i mewn fy enaid, fel na allaf ganiatâu iddo basio heb yr ychydig eiriau eiddil hyn o ddiolchgarwch oddiwrthyf fi. Gadewch i ni gredu fod y mudiad cenedlaethol hwn i dalu gwarogaeth i fywyd a llafur un meidrolyn tlawd a'i ymdrechion gwylaidd yn cael ei ysgogi gan Allu Uwch, ac y bydd ei duedd i'n symbylu a'n harwain i wneuthur mwy eto, ac i ennill llawryfau gwell i'r wlad a garwn mor annwyl. Y mae i'n bywydau eu Gethsemane a'u Mynydd Carmel; ac y mae y fath arddangosiad cenedlaethol ag un y Sadwrn yn creu ac yn taflu pelydrau o lawenydd a diddanwch i ddyfnderau tywyll glynnoedd pruddaidd galar ein bywyd presennol."
Yng Ngwyl Gerddorol Caerdydd yr un flwyddyn, rhoddwyd ei "In Memoriam " dan ei arweiniad ef, ond nid gyda llwyddiant, am nad oedd y cantorion wedi meistroli'r gwaith. Yr un peth raid ddywedyd am y datganiad o'i weithiau yng Ngŵyl Cymdeithas y Tonic Solfa yn y Palas Grisial yn 1897. Yn 1896 neilltuwyd cyfran o'r wyl i ddatganu cerddoriaeth Gymreig, yn bennaf "Psalm of Life" yr Athro Jenkins, a throdd yr anturiaeth allan yn llwyddiant digymysg. Ond nid felly 1897, oblegid gwaith Parry'n trefnu rhaglen fratiog o rannau o'i weithiau, ac esgeulustod arweinwyr a chorau i'w dysgu, ynghyd ag esgeulustod rhywrai i'w gyrru i'r corau mewn pryd. Ynglŷn â hyn daw diffyg callineb Parry i'r golwg—ac wrth gallineb y golygwn ystyriaeth o amgylchiadau fel ag i bartoi ar eu cyfer. Dyma iaith callineb arweinydd yr ŵyl flaenorol (1896) "Ar y dechreu yr oedd gennym amcan go dda beth allasai yr arweinyddion wneuthur oeddem wedi ddewis, ynghyda'r lleisiau oedd yn y dosbarthau; ac y mae'r perfformiad wedi profi ein bod yn iawn. Yr oedd ffyddlondeb yr arweinyddion, ac eiddgarwch y cantorion tuhwnt i amheuaeth, ac ar hyn yr oedd y cwbl yn ymddibynnu.
"Y mae yna ffaith arall wedi dod i'r golwg, nad oes rhaid i gerddorion Cymreig ymddibynnu ar y rhai a ystyria eu hunain yn brif gorau am berfformiad teilwng o'u gweithiau."
Ond yn 1897, er yr hysbysid y rhifai y côr 4000, y gerddorfa 250, ac y byddai wyth seindorf bres yn canu; ni ddaeth ynghyd ond tua 2500 o leiswyr, a phedair o seindyrf, tra yr oedd y gerddorfa ymhell o fod yn llawn. Yn anffodus, hefyd, mynnai Parry rannu'r lleisiau, yn lle eu cadw'n gyfangorff cryf, fel y gwneir yng Ngŵyl Handel, —yr unig ddull effeithiol yn y lle. Ac yn olaf ni fu'n gall yn ei ddewisiad o arweinyddion a chantorion; meddyliai gynhyrchu effaith mawr yn ddiau gyda'i luoedd, ond y gwaethaf yw, nid oeddynt wedi dysgu'r darnau, yn neilltuol Cambria." Ond aeth y "Tone—poem " yn dda, ynghyd â'r darnau adnabyddus "Cytgan y Pererinion," a "Thoriad Dydd ar Gymru."
Yn 1897 y cyfansoddodd ei operetta ddigrif, "Cap and Gown," ddisgrifiadol o fywyd coleg.