3-008-576 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Professor Sterndale Bennett, 1862. Portrait from a photograph by John and Charles Watkins. 'Having formed an intimate friendship with Mendelssohn, Bennett, in 1836, went, on his friend's invitation, to Leipsic, where several of his works were performed at the Gewundhaus Concerts, under Mendelssohn's direction. On his return from Germany he began his professional career in London, and has gradually risen to the highest rank among English musicians. In 1856 he was appointed the conductor of the Philharmonic Society's Concerts...In the same year he was elected to the chair of music in the University of Cambridge, and the degree of Doctor of Music was conferred on him by that University. When the arrangements were made for the inauguration of the Great International Exhibition, it was resolved that the art of music in Italy, Germany, France, and England should be represented...by four of the most eminent artists of those countries. Professor Bennett was chosen as the representative of England...Bennett's contribution to the inauguration music - the ode of which the poetry was written by Tennyson - turned out to be a grand and sublime piece of choral harmony, which was performed with immense effect, and has added to his already high reputation'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.