Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

April 13, 1816 in Sheffield, England

Death

:

February 1, 1875 in London, England

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

William Sterndale Bennett was a prominent English composer and pianist of the 19th century. He was born on April 13, 1816, in Sheffield, England, to Robert Bennett and Elizabeth Sterndale. His father was a musician and organist, and his mother was a singer. Bennett showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. He received his first formal music lessons from his father and later studied with the organist and composer John Baptist Cramer. Bennett's talent as a pianist was recognized early on, and he made his public debut at the age of nine. He was soon performing in concerts throughout England and Europe, and his virtuosic playing earned him a reputation as one of the finest pianists of his time. In 1836, he was appointed professor of music at the University of Cambridge, a position he held for over 20 years. As a composer, Bennett was heavily influenced by the German Romantic tradition, particularly the music of Mendelssohn and Schumann. His early works, such as his Piano Sonata in F minor and his Symphony in G minor, show a strong sense of melody and a mastery of classical forms. However, it was his choral music that brought him the most acclaim. His cantata The May Queen, written in 1858, was a huge success and established him as one of the leading composers of his time. Bennett's output was prolific, and he composed in a variety of genres, including chamber music, orchestral works, and operas. His Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, written in 1832, is considered one of his finest works and is still performed today. His Symphony in C minor, written in 1837, is also highly regarded and shows his skill in orchestration and his ability to create dramatic and emotional music. In addition to his work as a composer and pianist, Bennett was also a respected conductor and music educator. He conducted the Philharmonic Society in London and was instrumental in the founding of the Royal Academy of Music, where he served as principal from 1866 until his death in 1875. Despite his many accomplishments, Bennett's music fell out of favor in the years following his death. However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in his work, and his music is once again being performed and recorded. In conclusion, William Sterndale Bennett was a highly talented and influential composer and pianist of the 19th century. His music, which shows a strong sense of melody and a mastery of classical forms, was heavily influenced by the German Romantic tradition. His choral music, in particular, brought him great acclaim, and his Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor and Symphony in C minor are still performed today. Bennett's contributions to music education and his work as a conductor also had a lasting impact on the musical world.

More....