From the Archives: Walter Parratt

Walter Parratt (Huddersfield, 10 February 1841 – Windsor, 27 March 1924)

On the centenary of the death of Sir Walter Parratt, Master of the Queen’s Music from 1893 until his death, we display a selection of concert programmes from performances which were conducted by Parratt.

Windsor and Eton Choral Society, founded in 1837, Albert Institute, Windsor, Monday 21 November 1892.  A performance of Handel’s Samson. The orchestra included a good many female performers and the RSM’s John Solomon.

Parratt, a child prodigy, and who had an incredible memory, was foremost an organist, as well as composer and conductor. Parratt had become organist at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in 1882 upon the death of George Elvey. On the opening of the Royal College of Music in the following year he was also principal organ teacher. From 1892 he was private organist to Queen Victoria, and in 1893 was made Master of the Music. In this role he would have chosen and conducted the programmes performed at the private concerts. The two programmes illustrated, from among the thirteen in the RSM’s archive, show his commitment to teaching and opportunities through the inclusion of singers from the Royal College of Music.

Buckingham Palace concert programmes, 28 May 1894 and 22 June 1896

At this similar period the Royal College of Music was moving to its new premises, a new building on Prince Consort Road. Not long afterwards Sir George Grove resigned as Principal, his resignation accepted by Prince Christian (who is noted on the final page of the Windsor & Eton Choral Society programme); names put forward to be Grove’s successor included those of Parratt, Parry and Stanford, among others.

The earlier of the two Buckingham Palace programmes shown includes the soprano Marian McKenzie (afterwards Mrs Smith Williams (1858-1927), RSM Member 00372).

Marian McKenzie by Thomas Benjamin Kennington (1856-1916)