April 13 - William Sterndale Bennett (The Musical Birthday Series)

William Sterndale Bennett (13 April 1816 – 1 February 1875) was an extraordinarily talented musician, admired and befriended by Mendelssohn and Schumann, whose natural caution prevented the full blossoming of his gifts.  He was also important as a pianist, educator, and musical administrator. A few of his piano pieces and several songs still cling to the most precarious of footholds in the repertoire.

Backward Glances

William Sterndale Bennett was

So musically conservative,

Even Robert Schumann was too much.

His view of composition grew

Essentially preservative,

And with each passing day more out of touch.