Stanford , Sir , Charles Villiers , 1852-1924 , Knight , composer and conductor

Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, born Dublin, 30 Sep 1852; educated, Henry Tilney Bassett's school, Dublin; entered Queens' College, Cambridge, as choral scholar, 1870; elected assistant conductor to Cambridge University Musical Society (CUMS), 1871; appointed organist of Trinity College, 1873; third class in classical tripos, 1874; studied in Germany with Carl Reinecke, Robert Papperitz and Friedrich Kiel, 1874-1876; received acclaim for a number of his compositions, including his First Symphony (second prize, Alexandra Palace competition, 1876) and incidental music for Tennyson's play Queen Mary (1876); resumed as conductor of CUMS, 1877; used CUMS to bring major artists to Cambridge, performed as pianist in chamber concerts there and conducted first English performances of works by Brahms; as organist of Trinity (resigned 1892), composed some of his most well known sacred music including his Morning, Communion and Evening Services in B flat (1879) and was responsible for bringing major performers to Trinity for organ recitals; appointed Professor of Composition and conductor of the orchestra, Royal College of Music, 1883; appointed Professor of Music, Cambridge University, 1887; oversaw centenary celebrations for CUMS, 1893; conductor of the Bach Choir, (1886-1902), Leeds Philharmonic Society (1897-1909) and Leeds Triennial Festival (1901-1910); knighted, 1902; died, London, 29 Mar 1924. Selected publications: Studies and Memories (London, 1908); Musical Composition: a Short Treatise for Students (London, 1911); Brahms and his Music (London, 1912); Pages from an Unwritten Diary (London, 1914); Interludes, Records and Reflections (London,1922).