Parker, James Cutler Dunn

1828-

Distinguished American teacher and composer. Doctor of Music of Alfred University. He was born at Boston, where his father was an active member of the Handel and Haydn Society. James loved music from his child hood, and, after being graduated from Harvard in 1848 and studying law, he yielded to his natural inclination and took music lessons for a time in Boston. He was   one of the earliest of American musicians to be educated abroad, having gone to Leipsic in 1851, where for three years he studied under Moscheles and Plaidy in piano, Hauptmann in theory and Richter and Rietz in composition. On returning to Boston he became concert pianist of the Mendelssohn Quintet Club. His successful career as a teacher began in 1854, and many of his pupils have become famous. He was at one time professor in the College of Music of the Boston University, and since 1871 has been a member of the faculty of the New England Conservatory, where he has taught organ, piano and harmony. About 1897 he gave up his active work there but continues as examiner. From 1864 to 1871 he was organist and choirmaster of Trinity Church. Was also organist for several years of the Boston Handel and Haydn Society, for whose festival in 1877 he wrote his Redemption Hymn, a cantata with words taken from the 51st chapter of Isaiah. He has also appeared successfully as a pianist at the Harvard Symphony concerts. Has written an excellent Manual of Harmony and a Treatise on Theoretical and Practical Harmony, as well as a translation of Richter's work on harmony. As a composer he is most favorably known. His works include the cantata, The Blind King; St. John, a sacred cantata, with orchestra; the oratorio, The Life of Man, probably his best work; also piano

music; part-songs; church services and sacred music; and some orchestral pieces. His work shows a fine balance between the classic and the popular.