Sir Richard Rodney Bennett

about

Sir Richard Rodney Bennett (born March 29, 1936, Broadstairs, Kent, England—died December 24, 2012, New York, New York, U.S.) was a prolific and highly versatile British composer and pianist known for his innovative approach to 12-tone and serial composition—particularly in his concert works. He also won acclaim for his film scores and was widely recognized for his solo and collaborative work as a jazz musician. Bennett was born into a creative family. His father wrote children’s books, and his mother was a pianist, vocalist, and composer who had studied with the well-known British composer Gustav Holst. Bennett showed an extraordinary aptitude and affinity for a broad range of musical styles at a very young age, and in 1953 he received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London. While a student, Bennett composed a number of noteworthy pieces, including Sonata for Piano (1954), which was published when he was still a teenager. In 1957–59 he lived in Paris, having received a scholarship from the French government to study with the French composer Pierre Boulez. Upon his return to England, Bennett began to emerge as one of the most versatile and talented of the avant-garde British composers. His works include chamber, solo vocal, and choral music; operas, symphonies, and concertos; and scores for films and television. Looking to expand his musical horizons, he moved in 1979 to New York City, which remained his home for the remainder of his life, except for a period

top songs

albums

Gershwin: Songs

That Certain Feeling - Richard Rodney Bennett plays Gershwin, Kern and other show-music greats

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Murder on the Orient Express

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Sir Richard Rodney Bennett: Murder on the Orient Express . Lady Caroline Lamb [original soundtrack recordings]

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British Composers: Best of British

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British Composers - A Celebration

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That Certain Feeling: Richard Rodney Bennett plays Gershwin, Kern and Other Show-Music Greats

Billion Dollar Brain (original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

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Movie Memories - Music from the Greatest Films

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Bennett: Letters to Lindbergh

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I Never Went Away …

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Four Weddings and a Funeral: Songs From & Inspired by the Film

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