William Parsons (composer)

Sir William Parsons (* 1745 or 1746 ; † July 19, 1817 in London ) was an English musician and composer . Since 1786 he held the title of Master of the Queen's Music .

life and work

William Parsons, possibly born in London, was a choirboy at Westminster Abbey . Before 1768 he applied unsuccessfully for an engagement at Covent Garden and then traveled to Italy to further develop his singing and composing skills. No further details are known about this stay, but after his return to England he worked successfully as a teacher for singing and harpsichord. In 1783 he became a member of the Royal Society of Musicians . In 1784 he was assistant director in organizing the celebrations for the 100th birthday of George Frideric Handel in London. After the death of John Stanley in 1786 he received the honorary title of Master of the Queen's Music at the court of George III. transfer. In 1795 he was the first professional musician in the UK the accolade as a Knight Bachelor . In addition to his musical duties, William Parsons was also employed as a judge at a police court.

Only a few compositions have survived by Parsons, whose circle of friends included Joseph Haydn , including ballads, incidental music, arrangements and solfeggi for vocal training. Most of the music that William Parsons composed on behalf of the court seems to have been lost.

literature

• LM Middleton, rev. David J. Golby: Parsons, Sir William (1745 / 6-1817). In: Henry Colin Gray Matthew, Brian Harrison (Eds.): Oxford Dictionary of National Biography , from the earliest times to the year 2000 (ODNB). Oxford University Press, Oxford 2004, ISBN 0-19-861411-X , ( oxforddnb.com license required ), As of 2004, accessed February 19, 2020.

Individual evidence

1. ^ William Arthur Shaw: The Knights of England . Volume 2. Sherratt and Hughes, London 1906, p. 303.