Posted: 5 May 2002
On 14th April 2002 English Sinfonia, conducted by Philip Ellis, performed Bush's Homage to William Sterndale Bennett for String Orchestra Op. 27 (1947) in a programme which included music by Haydn, Mozart and Weber.
Formed in the early 1960's, by the conductor Neville Dykes, the orchestra has been based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, since 1997. It deservedly enjoys a good reputation and an enthusiastic following.
The orchestra, led by Janice Graham (violin), played Bush's lyrical piece very well and all the works were warmly received by the audience.
Bush's work is based on a theme from the Piano Sonata "The Maid of Orleans", composed by Sterndale Bennett who was Principal of the Royal Academy of Music in the mid-19th century.
The work was first performed at the Wigmore Hall on 9th February 1946 by the London String Orchestra, conducted by the composer. The Times Critic wrote at the time: "If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Bush must surely share Schumann's admiration for this rarely played composer...his music has so captured...Bennett's own virginal romanticism as to be almost indistinguishable from it". The Observer described the work as "a most charming and wistful fantasy on motives from this forgotten romantic composer". How ironic that Sterndale Bennett's music is now enjoying a revival, whilst Bush's work is neglected!
