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Title
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- c1894-1900 (Creation)
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1 folder
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Name of creator
Biographical history
William Sterndale Bennett founded the Bach Society in 1849, as part of the growing interest in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in England in the nineteenth century known as the 'Bach revival'. Bennett had had a brilliant early career as a pianist and composer, which included a friendship with Felix Mendelssohn begun in 1836, himself a renowned promoter and perfomer of Bach's music. The first meeting of the Society, on 27 October 1849, at Bennett's house in Russell Place, formulated the objects of the society, which included the collection and promotion, but not publication, of the works of Bach (though the society did publish a volume of the motets, with English text added, in 1851). A number of concerts were given, and at last the St Matthew Passion had its first English performance (with English words) at the Hanover Square Rooms on 6 April 1854, Bennett conducting. Several other important works were revived before the society disbanded in 1870. Charles Steggall (1826-1905), the organist and composer, was a pupil of William Sterndale Bennett at the Royal Academy of Music, 1847-1851, and was also Secretary of the Bach Society throughout its existence. He edited an edition of Bach's motets for the Society (1851).
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Archival history
GB 1249 MS 4992 c1894-1900 Collection (fonds) 1 folder Bennett , James Robert Sterndale , fl 1890-1920 , composer , author
William Sterndale Bennett founded the Bach Society in 1849, as part of the growing interest in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in England in the nineteenth century known as the 'Bach revival'. Bennett had had a brilliant early career as a pianist and composer, which included a friendship with Felix Mendelssohn begun in 1836, himself a renowned promoter and perfomer of Bach's music. The first meeting of the Society, on 27 October 1849, at Bennett's house in Russell Place, formulated the objects of the society, which included the collection and promotion, but not publication, of the works of Bach (though the society did publish a volume of the motets, with English text added, in 1851). A number of concerts were given, and at last the St Matthew Passion had its first English performance (with English words) at the Hanover Square Rooms on 6 April 1854, Bennett conducting. Several other important works were revived before the society disbanded in 1870. Charles Steggall (1826-1905), the organist and composer, was a pupil of William Sterndale Bennett at the Royal Academy of Music, 1847-1851, and was also Secretary of the Bach Society throughout its existence. He edited an edition of Bach's motets for the Society (1851).
Presented to the RCM by Barry Sterndale Bennett in 1984.
Manuscript notes by James Robert Sterndale Bennett on the history of the Bach Society (1849-1870) for his biography of his father Sir William Sterndale Bennett (1816-1875) The Life of William Sterndale Bennett (Cambridge University Press, 1907), comprising 'Short history of the Bach Society' by Charles Steggall; 'Diary of the Bach Society' made with the assistance of Steggall, 1900; various biographical notes on members of the Society.
Usual conditions of the Library of the Royal College of Music apply. See the RCM website or contact the RCM Library for details.
Photocopying is permitted at the discretion of the Archivist for research purposes only.
English.
An entry is given in volume 2 of the Manuscripts catalogue in the library of the Royal College of Music.
Compiled by Robert Baxter as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. Source: Grove Dictionary of Music. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Nov 2001 Bach , Johann Sebastian , 1685-1750 , German organist composer and master contrapuntist Bach Society Bennett , James Robert Sterndale , fl 1890-1920 , composer , author Bennett , Sir , William Sterndale , 1816-1875 , Knight , composer Classical music Clubs Leisure Leisure time activities Music Musical performances Musical styles Religious music Steggall , Charles , 1826-1905 , organist and composer Vocal music Performing arts
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Presented to the RCM by Barry Sterndale Bennett in 1984.
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Manuscript notes by James Robert Sterndale Bennett on the history of the Bach Society (1849-1870) for his biography of his father Sir William Sterndale Bennett (1816-1875) The Life of William Sterndale Bennett (Cambridge University Press, 1907), comprising 'Short history of the Bach Society' by Charles Steggall; 'Diary of the Bach Society' made with the assistance of Steggall, 1900; various biographical notes on members of the Society.
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Usual conditions of the Library of the Royal College of Music apply. See the RCM website or contact the RCM Library for details.
Conditions governing reproduction
Photocopying is permitted at the discretion of the Archivist for research purposes only.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English.
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Finding aids
An entry is given in volume 2 of the Manuscripts catalogue in the library of the Royal College of Music.
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Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
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Language(s)
- English