16 January 1833

Royal Society of Musician’s Ceremony for the Testimonial of John Parry

London: Freemasons’ Tavern

———————————

Moscheles: …‘there was an amusing performance, for old Parry, dressed in the costume of a Welsh bard, carrying his harp, sang his national melodies. He is a favorite with us musicians, who gave him a complimentary dinner and a present of silver plate, in recognition of his many years’ services as one of our guild, and in token of his efforts on behalf of poor musicians. His gratitude and emotion were very touching’. 

RMM, 192-193.

Reviews

The Morning Post (January 18, 1833): 3.

TESTIMONIAL TO MR. JOHN PARRY. 

The Members of the Royal Society of Musicians having voted a piece of plate to Mr. PARRY, the Composer, as a reward for his exertions in promoting the interest of the Institution, the ceremony of presentation took place at the Freemasons’ Tavern on Wednesday last, when the Committee and a few musical friends dined. Mr. HORSLEY in the Chair, and Mr. CALKIN Vice-President. 

The testimonial consisted of a very elegantly chased silver coffee-pot and a massive sugar howl, with rich and finely-executed serpent handles, manufactured by Mr. ELLIS, of John-street, with the following inscription:— 

“Presented by the Members of the Royal Society of Musicians to Mr. JOHN PARRY, Honorary Treasurer, in testimony of their regard for him, and of the high sense they entertain of his unwearied and valuable services in behalf of the Institution.— January, 18.”

Mr. HORSLEY addressed Mr. PARRY in a very eloquent manner, and in such terms as could not but be highly flattering to his feelings. Among other encomiums paid was, that Mr. PARRY had been the means of adding to the funds of the Society upwards of 60l. per annum for the last twelve years. 

The following Gentlemen were present:—Mr. HORSLEY, Sir G. SMART, Messrs. J. B. CRAMER, MOSCHELES, HAWES, T. COOKE, HARLEY, LYON, MACKINTOSH, HAWES, ANDERSON, CALKIN, SIMCOKC, WEIPPRET, FITZWILLIAM, PARRY, jun., and a few private friends. A variety of glees, etc., were sung in the course of the evening, and some excellent comic songs by HARLEY, T. COOKE, and FITZWILLIAM. MOSCHELES delighted the company by a most masterly extemporaneous performance on the pianoforte. In short, the evening was passed in the most social manner; and the proceedings, Mr. PARRY observed, “would cling to his memory, with pleasurable remembrance, until it pleased God to gather him to his fathers.”

The Globe and Traveller (January 19, 1833): 3.

The members of the Royal Society of Musicians have presented an elegant piece of plate to Mr. John Parry, the composer, for his exertions in promoting the interest of the Institution.

The Courier (January 21, 1833): 3.

The members of the Royal Society of Musicians have presented an elegant piece of plate to Mr. John Parry, the composer, for his exertions in promoting the interest of the Institution.

The Morning Chronicle (January 21, 1833): 3.

The members of the Royal Society of Musicians have presented an elegant piece of plate to Mr. John Parry, the composer, for his exertions in promoting the interest of the Institution.

The Morning Post (January 21, 1833): 3.

At the Dinner given to Mr. PARRY on Wednesday last, when he received a piece of plate from the Members of the Royal Society of Musicians, five Gentlemen gave their names as life subscribers of ten guineas each to the Institution, one of whom was Mr. MOSCHELES, whose talents have been repeatedly displayed, for the benefit of the Society, at its annual festivals.

The Harmonicon, vol.11, (February 1833): 38.

[Extras from the Diary of a Dilettante]

…18th [January]. The Royal Society of Musicians have presented Mr. John Parry, the well-known secretary of the Association for the encouragement of Welsh Poetry and Music, with an elegant piece of piece of plate, as an acknowledgment of his zealous and disinterested services, which, it was stated by the chairman of a dinner given on the occasion, had been the means of adding, for the last twelve years, upwards of 60l. per annum to the funds of that benevolent and useful society. Such instances of active liberality are worthy of being recorded.