Parrott, Ian

[Sydney Grew]

Ian Parrott was born in London in 1916.

He was given a thorough education at Harrow on the Hill, and then at the RCM and at New College Oxford.

From 1950 until 1983 he occupied the Gregynog Chair of Music at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Among his most successful works are five symphonies and five string quartets.

He also wrote books about Elgar, Cyril Scott and Warlock.

His symphonies:

symphony no. 1, 1946

symphony no. 2, 1960

symphony no. 3, 1966

symphony no. 4, 1978

symphony no. 5, 1979

His concertos:

Piano Concerto, 1948

English Horn Concerto, 1956

Cello Concerto, 1961

Trombone Concerto, 1967

His string quartets:

string quartet no. 1, 1946

string quartet no. 2, 1956

string quartet no. 3, 1957

string quartet no. 4, 1963

string quartet no. 5, 1994

as well as a great deal of vocal music.

It may be my fault, but I cannot find any public examples of his work.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Up until now, I'd never considered Ian Parrott's music's lack of public exposure. I knew of his position at Aberystwyth, but assumed that my lack lack of knowledge of his compositions was merely a failing on my part. But I too have failed to find anything immediately accessible (e.g. YouTube).
However, the Presto website lists a few things, perhaps worth investigating.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/search?search_query=Ian%20Parrott

I've read his Master Musicians book on Elgar, with a rather bizarre and confused solution to the 'Enigma'. The book itself had a short life, being superseded by a more substantial volume by Robert Anderson, whose book was the third attempt at Elgar in the MM series.

[Serial_Apologist]

This is the first I've heard of this composer. It would be ironic were his reputation to have been overlooked because he was thought too imitative of others!

[french frank]

This is the first I've heard of this composer. It would be ironic were his reputation to have been overlooked because he was thought too imitative of others!

Oh, Serial …

He seems to have written a very great deal. I wonder how much was published.