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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Charles Villiers Stanford was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1852. He was a brilliant musician and academic, and rapidly  achieved distinction as a performer, teacher, composer and conductor. Charles became organist at Trinity College Cambridge at the age of 21. He was appointed Professor of Composition - teaching composition and conducting the orchestra and operatic class - at the Royal College of Music since the College's inception in 1882. He was appointed Professor of Music at the University of Cambridge in 1887. And he was Conductor of the esteemed 'Bach Choir' from 1885 to 1892. And the equally famous 'Cambridge Music Society'. He was also conductor of several world famous 'Leeds Festivals' after 1901.

Recognised as the country's leading music teacher at the time, his pupils included many of the most promising English composers who also distinguished themselves by producing great (if not greater) works. His students included: Ralph Vaughan Williams, Arthur Bliss, Herbert Howells, John Ireland, Gustav Holst, and Ivor Gurney. His fondly remembered 'gold pencil' was feared by many students, as was his acerbic wit and caustic comments about those who strayed from his exacting standards!

Although Charles was kept extremely busy as a teacher, he also made a significant contribution to the repertory of English music. A prolific composer and a great admirer of Brahms ,he composed seven operas, seven symphonies and many more works including an edited collection of Irish songs, and of course the Songs of the Fleet, and his equally famous Songs of the Sea. Among his operas Shamus O'Brien was very successful, and his Irish Symphony enjoyed great popularity. And Tennyson asked him to write the incidental music for his play Queen Mary. But his larger works have eventually given way to his successors who showed greater originality. A number of his smaller sacred and secular choral works, for example his Service in B flat, The Blue Bird, and his 'Songs of the Sea' and 'Songs of the Fleet' have secured a more permanent place in our hearts and minds.

Charles Villiers Stanford was knighted for his contribution to Music in 1901, and died in London in 1924.

Would you like to hear one of Charles' most enduring and heroic songs - Drake's Drum, and read the story behind it?  If so, Click on the drum-skin.

OR:  Would you prefer to visit the Fleet 'Sailing at Dawn'?

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