British composer William Sterndale Bennett (1816-1875) was a contemporary and colleague of Mendelssohn and Schumann–two composers who immediately come to mind when you hear Bennett’s music, deeply rooted as it is in German romanticism. Indeed, his overtures The May Queen, The Naiades, and Parisina sound like Mendelssohn knock-offs (it doesn’t help that all three are in the triple meter favored by the more famous composer). Bennett goes beyond this model in The Wood Nymphs, which despite occasional reminders of Weber, shows the composer to be more of his own man.
The same could be said for the Symphony in G minor. Yes, Schumann’s influence is readily apparent in the music’s motivic construction, but Bennett’s novel melodic and instrumental touches (especially in the scherzo and finale), along with the Romanza’s wistfully beautiful tune, make the Symphony most deserving of occasional revival (it helps that the entire piece lasts just 24 minutes). Nicholas Braithwaite leads polished and stylistically appropriate renditions supported by first-rate playing from the London Philharmonic and Philharmonia (in The Naiades). Listeners with a particular fondness for music of this era will find much to enjoy on this disc, complemented by Lyrita’s clear, spacious recording.
