A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Parish-Alvars, Elias

PARISH-ALVARS, Elias, was of Hebrew descent and born at Teignmouth in 1816 [App. p.738 "Feb. 28, 1808"]. He studied the harp under Dizi, Labarre, and Bochsa, and became one of the most distinguished performers on that instrument. He was also an excellent pianist. In 1831 he visited Germany, and performed at Bremen, Hamburg, and other places, with great success. In 1834 he went to Upper Italy and gave concerts at Milan. In 1836 he went to Vienna, where he remained for two years, occasionally visiting London. From 1838 to 1842 were occupied by a journey to the East, where he collected many Eastern melodies. He returned to Europe and gave concerts at Leipsic in 1842, and at Berlin, Frankfort, Dresden and Prague in 1843. In 1844 he went to Naples, where he was received with enthusiasm. In 1846 he stayed some time at Leipsic, where his association with Mendelssohn produced a sensible improvement in his style of composition. In 1847 he settled at Vienna, where he was appointed chamber musician to the Emperor; and there he died, Jan. 25, 1849. His compositions consist of concertos for harp and orchestra, and numerous fantasias for harp and pianoforte, and harp alone. He was remarkable for his assiduity in seeking for new effects from his instruments, in some of which he anticipated Thalberg's most characteristic treatment.

[ W. H. H. ]