John Parry Ddall
Encyclopedia
John Parry known as Parri Ddall, Rhiwabon (or, in English, Blind Parry of Ruabon
) was born in the Llŷn Peninsula
, Caernarfonshire
, now Gwynedd, in Wales
, and was blind from birth.
His first patron
s were the Griffiths family, of the Cefn Amwlch estate at Bryn Cynan on Pen Llŷn, who provided the young Parry with a Welsh triple harp
. He later became harpist to Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn
at Wynnstay, Ruabon
and became a master of the High Baroque
. He lived on the Wynnstay estate but spent much of his time at the Williams-Wynn's London home where he performed on the Welsh triple harp for London's cultural elite. Parry became a member of the Royal Society of Musicians
in 1763.
He inspired Thomas Gray
to write his 1757 poem, The Bard.. It is also claimed that Parri first wrote down - or dictated to his fellow-compiler Evan Williams - in his manuscript Antient British Music (1741) a then un-named 'aria' which is now world-famous as "Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly". It was subsequently published and named "Nos Galan" (in English, "New Year's Eve") in Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards (1784) by Edward Jones.
Parry remained with the Williams-Wynn family until his death in 1782. He was buried at Ruabon Parish Church on 10 October 1782.
John Parry's son, William Parry
(1742–1791), was an accomplished artist. Many of his works, including portraits of his father, are held by the National Museum Wales
.
Ruabon
Ruabon is a village and community in the county borough of Wrexham in Wales.More than 80% of the population of 2,400 were born in Wales with 13.6% speaking Welsh....
) was born in the Llŷn Peninsula
Llŷn Peninsula
The Llŷn Peninsula extends into the Irish Sea from north west Wales, south west of the Isle of Anglesey. It is part of the modern county and historic region of Gwynedd. The name is thought to be of Irish origin, and to have the same root Laigin in Irish as the word Leinster...
, Caernarfonshire
Caernarfonshire
Caernarfonshire , historically spelled as Caernarvonshire or Carnarvonshire in English during its existence, was one of the thirteen historic counties, a vice-county and a former administrative county of Wales....
, now Gwynedd, in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, and was blind from birth.
His first patron
Patrón
Patrón is a luxury brand of tequila produced in Mexico and sold in hand-blown, individually numbered bottles.Made entirely from Blue Agave "piñas" , Patrón comes in five varieties: Silver, Añejo, Reposado, Gran Patrón Platinum and Gran Patrón Burdeos. Patrón also sells a tequila-coffee blend known...
s were the Griffiths family, of the Cefn Amwlch estate at Bryn Cynan on Pen Llŷn, who provided the young Parry with a Welsh triple harp
Triple Harp
The triple harp, often referred to as the Welsh triple harp , is a type of harp employing three rows of strings instead of the more common single row...
. He later became harpist to Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn
Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 4th Baronet
Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 4th Baronet was a Welsh politician and patron of the arts.Sir Watkin was the eldest son of the second marriage of his father, Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 3rd Baronet, to Frances Shackerley of Cheshire...
at Wynnstay, Ruabon
Ruabon
Ruabon is a village and community in the county borough of Wrexham in Wales.More than 80% of the population of 2,400 were born in Wales with 13.6% speaking Welsh....
and became a master of the High Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
. He lived on the Wynnstay estate but spent much of his time at the Williams-Wynn's London home where he performed on the Welsh triple harp for London's cultural elite. Parry became a member of the Royal Society of Musicians
Royal Society of Musicians
The Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain is a charity in the United Kingdom that supports musicians. It is the oldest music-related charity in Great Britain, founded in 1738 as the "Fund for Decay'd Musicians" by a declaration of trust signed by 228 musicians, including Edward Purcell ,...
in 1763.
He inspired Thomas Gray
Thomas Gray
Thomas Gray was a poet, letter-writer, classical scholar and professor at Cambridge University.-Early life and education:...
to write his 1757 poem, The Bard.. It is also claimed that Parri first wrote down - or dictated to his fellow-compiler Evan Williams - in his manuscript Antient British Music (1741) a then un-named 'aria' which is now world-famous as "Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly". It was subsequently published and named "Nos Galan" (in English, "New Year's Eve") in Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards (1784) by Edward Jones.
Parry remained with the Williams-Wynn family until his death in 1782. He was buried at Ruabon Parish Church on 10 October 1782.
John Parry's son, William Parry
William Parry (artist)
William Parry ARA was a Welsh artist. Primarily a portrait painter, he was unique for attracting extensive patronage in Wales, due to his connections with Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 4th Baronet....
(1742–1791), was an accomplished artist. Many of his works, including portraits of his father, are held by the National Museum Wales
National Museum Cardiff
National Museum Cardiff is a museum and art gallery in Cardiff, Wales. The museum is part of the wider network of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales...
.