Richard Rodney Bennett 1936-2012

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Sad news that Richard Rodney Bennett passed away in New York yesterday.

Here's a Guardian profile of him from last year:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2011/jul/22/richard-rodney-bennett-life-music-film

[Roehre]

Very sad news indeed.
As I started listening to classical music (from December 1970 onwards), RRB's work from the 1960s were the most "modern" I got and (then) were not easy to get grip on (especially his Symphony from -iirc- 1962).
Times have changed a bit in that respect, but RBB always held a special place in my appreciations.

RIP Richard Rodney Bennett

[Hornspieler]

For me, when I met him in 1967, RRB was the most talented and musically competent of the "Manchester School" of contemporary composers.
His musical vision was unwavering in its beliefs and he deserved the approbation that he received in those early years.

R.I.P

[Bryn]

Very sad news indeed.
As I started listening to classical music (from December 1970 onwards), RRB's work from the 1960s were the most "modern" I got and (then) were not easy to get grip on (especially his Symphony from -iirc- 1962).
Times have changed a bit in that respect, but RBB always held a special place in my appreciations.

RIP Richard Rodney Bennett

In the early '60s RRB was very much of the avant-guarde tendency, along with his piano partner of the time, Cornelius Cardew. He abandoned the avant-guarde over a decade before Cardew did, however, and for very different reasons. I must admit my fondest memories of RRB are of his Billy Mayerl performances. I'd love to hear a recording of him and Cardew playing Boulez's Structures, Book 2 again though. Sorry to hear of his passing.

[AjAjAjH]

'Murder on the Orient Express' a great film score.

RIP

[Richard Tarleton]

I was at the first performance of his guitar concerto with Julian Bream and the Nash Ensemble in the QEH in November 1970, he came on stage afterwards. He also wrote a fine Sonata for Bream.

[bluestateprommer]

Tribute from Charlotte Higgins in The Guardian is here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/dec/25/composer-richard-rodney-bennett-dies

The one time I saw RRB live was in the 1990s, in his cabaret show with the late Mary Cleere Haran. I got to meet both of them in the lobby afterwards.

[moeranbiogman]

Richard Rodney Bennett RIP

Another blow for the music world.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/dec/25/composer-richard-rodney-bennett-dies

[Serial_Apologist]

Without going to the extent of repeating this item on another thread, jazz singer and Jazz Line-Up presenter Claire Martin, who has worked in duet with Sir Richard for several years now, will be most saddened at this news.

[Mandryka]

The most distinguished composer ever to write incidental music for Doctor Who.

His score for Nicholas And Alexandra is pretty good, too.

[Petrushka]

I was at the first performance of his guitar concerto with Julian Bream and the Nash Ensemble in the QEH in November 1970, he came on stage afterwards. He also wrote a fine Sonata for Bream.

I was at the first performance of RRB's Violin Concerto in Birmingham in 1975 played by Ralph Holmes and the CBSO under Louis Fremaux. This was the only time I saw him. Scandalously, this score still hasn't been recorded.

Another of RRB's pieces crying out for a recording is Actaeon, a 1977 Proms commission for horn and orchestra, written for Barry Tuckwell, which would suit David Pyatt down to the ground. Chandos where are you?

Another lovely score is his music for the TV drama Enchanted April. This was issued on a BBC MM CD long ago coupled with the Partita for Orchestra

[Roehre]

Another blow for the music world.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012...y-bennett-dies

Very true

See thread http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...nett-1936-2012

[bluestateprommer]

I was at the first performance of RRB's Violin Concerto in Birmingham in 1975 played by Ralph Holmes and the CBSO under Louis Fremaux. This was the only time I saw him. Scandalously, this score still hasn't been recorded.

For Petrushka, actually, there is a recording of RRB's Violin Concerto, on the KOCH International Classics label, with Vadim Gluzman as soloist, and the Monte Carlo Philharmonic, James DePriest conducting. Link from Amazon.co.uk:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rodney-Bennett-Diversions-Sir-Richard/dp/B000001SJ3/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1356472202&sr=1-1

[Petrushka]

For Petrushka, actually, there is a recording of RRB's Violin Concerto, on the KOCH International Classics label, with Vadim Gluzman as soloist, and the Monte Carlo Philharmonic, James DePriest conducting. Link from Amazon.co.uk:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rodney-Benne...6472202&sr=1-1

Many thanks for this, BSP, an issue that must have completely passed me by. A little pricey maybe so one for the wish list.

[Lordgeous]

I was at the first performance of his guitar concerto with Julian Bream and the Nash Ensemble in the QEH in November 1970, he came on stage afterwards. He also wrote a fine Sonata for Bream.

I was page turning for JB at that concert, though to my best recollection it was in the RFH with the LSO conducted by Previn (I could be wrong!). I got caught in a downpour on the way there and had to sit beside JB, facing the audience, my sopping wet long hair dripping onto the stage, forming quite a puddle!

I was lucky enough to have been a composition pupil of Richard in the 1960s and I owe him a great deal, musically and personally. Very many great memories, eg being played the theme from the Orient Express one day, which he had just finished; playing piano duet with him in a piece of mine in the Islington Festival; attending many broadcasts, concerts, recordings and film sessions at his invitation... A kinder and more generous guy you couldn't wish to meet. And what a musician! Was lucky enough to see him with Claire Martin a few months ago when they were on tour in the UK. Sadly missed, Richard. At least we still have the music.