Messages

A CD of the long awaited revival of Sterndale Bennett's sixth and final piano concerto in A minor (WO48) plus a piano concerto for two pianos written jointly with his fellow student George MacFarren (WO29) has just been released by Lyrita on SRCD448. This includes a new performance of the fourth piano concerto in F minor Op 19.  It is attracting very favourable reviews particularly praising Simon Callaghan and Martin Yates.   

My unclear wording. You are correct. Howard Shelley has just recorded PCs I, 2 and 3.  The original was done by Malcolm Binns some 30 years ago.   

Talking to those who organised the bicentenary I can report that during 2016 there have been just over 100 concerts in the UK and in 7 countries abroad featuring his works, 14 articles in musical journals, several lectures mainly at the behest of the Federation of Recorded Music Societies, displays at the RAM and the Bodleian in Oxford,  He was featured on BBC Radio 3 as Composer of the Week 11-16 April which drew much interest not least in four little known anthems recorded specially for the occasion by the BBC Singers.  The first three piano concertos have been re-recorded by Howard Shelley for Hyperion due for release in 2017 as is the Piano Sonata No 1 Op 13 played by Hiro Takenouchi for Artelinna.

I know of three new CD's being negotiated and will provide details as soon as they are confirmed.
It will not include the 6th piano concerto as this remains unavailable

Members may like to know that the bicentenary will be marked by several events notably at the Holywell Rooms Oxford on 5th February and 13th April; the RAM on 11th, 18th, 26th, 29th February and 1st March; CUMS in Cambridge 1st March; Orpington Symphony Orchestra on 5th March; Conway Hall on 10th April; The Sterndale Singers Sheffield on 16th April; Marlow URC on 21st April; Hatchlands on 23rd April and 4th May; Woking Concert Society 8th May; an RCM Study Day on 30th June and several lectures to member groups of the Federation of Recorded Music Societies through the year. 

He will be the subject of Composer of the Week 11-16th April on BBC Radio 3 and articles will appear in BBC Music Magazine, Choir & Organ, The Journal of the British Music Society, BRIO and Nineteenth Century Music Review.