Charles Villiers Stanford

Charles Villiers Stanford

Sir Charles Villiers Stanford was an Irish composer, music teacher, and conductor of the late Romantic Era. Stanford composed a substantial number of concert works, including seven symphonies. His best-remembered pieces are his choral works for church performance, chiefly composed in the Anglican tradition.

About Charles Villiers Stanford in brief

Summary Charles Villiers StanfordSir Charles Villiers Stanford was an Irish composer, music teacher, and conductor of the late Romantic Era. Born to a well-off and highly musical family in Dublin, Stanford was educated at the University of Cambridge before studying music in Leipzig and Berlin. He was instrumental in raising the status of the Cambridge University Musical Society, attracting international stars to perform with it. As a conductor, Stanford held posts with the Bach Choir and the Leeds triennial music festival. Stanford composed a substantial number of concert works, including seven symphonies, but his best-remembered pieces are his choral works for church performance, chiefly composed in the Anglican tradition. None of his nine completed operas has endured in the general repertory. Some critics regarded Stanford, together with Hubert Parry and Alexander Mackenzie, as responsible for a renaissance in music from the British Isles. However, after his conspicuous success as a composer in the last two decades of the 19th century, his music was eclipsed in the 20th century by that of Edward Elgar as well as former pupils, such as Ralph Vaughan Williams and Ignaz Moscheles. He died at the age of 89 in London, and is buried at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. He is survived by his wife, Mary, née Henn, and their three children, Michael, Mario and Mario.

He also leaves behind a son, Michael Stanford, and a daughter, Mary Stanford, who were all born in Dublin and went on to become prominent musicians of their own. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. In the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. For confidential. support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 909090 or click here. For confidential support on suicide matters call the Salvation Army on 0800 555 111 or  visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1 800 457 909090.  For confidential help in the United States, call the United States on 8457 90 9090 or visit the U.S.-based Samaritans, see http www. Samaritans. Online resources for help and information on how to get to their doorsteps in the UK or the National Suicide  Prevention lifeline on 0800 273 8255.  In the UK and Europe, contact the Samaritan Samaritans by clicking here. In the UK and Europe, click here for information on how to get involved in the UK and Europe and the European Union on their respective jurisdictions and countries.