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Sterndale Bennett with appointments in Cambridge and London becomes a national treasure, presented by Donald Macleod.

Reckoned by some as the most distinguished English composer of the Romantic School, Sir William Sterndale Bennett first made a significant name for himself in Germany as a composer and concert pianist. He became close friends with Mendelssohn and Schumann, and once his career started to develop back in England, he rose to become one of the country's most eminent musicians teaching at Cambridge, Principal of the Royal Academy of Music, and a Director of the Philharmonic Society. Dr Peter Horton discusses the importance of Sterndale Bennett's piano music, whilst the composer's great-great-grandson Barry Sterndale Bennett introduces the listener to scores, letters and diaries held at the Bodleian Library.

William Sterndale Bennett had made it to the pinnacle of musical society in England. Appointed professor of music in Cambridge, he soon also found himself principal of the Royal Academy of Music. He still continued to compose in the last twenty years of his life, including a commission for his overture The May Queen, to celebrate the opening of Leeds Town Hall by Queen Victoria. Also, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Philharmonic Society Bennett wrote a programmatic work, his fantasy overture Paradise and the Peri. When Sir William Sterndale Bennett died in 1875, his status in the land was such that he was buried in Westminster Abbey, not far from Purcell.

The May Queen, Op 39 (Overture)
´óÏó´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra
James Feddeck, conductor

Paradise and the Peri Fantasy Overture, Op 42
´óÏó´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra
James Feddeck, conductor

God is a Spirit, Op 44 (The Woman of Samaria)
´óÏó´«Ã½ Singers
Stephen Cleobury, conductor

Lord, to thee our song we raise, WoO 70
´óÏó´«Ã½ Singers
Stephen Cleobury, conductor

The Maid of Orleans, Sonata in A flat major, Op 46 (1st and 2nd mvt)
Ian Hobson, piano

Symphony in G minor, Op 43 (4th mvt)
Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra
Douglas Bostock, conductor

Producer Luke Whitlock.