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Scan 55
British Musical Biography, 1897
16 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 43. See the scan on archive.org.
1BENTLEY.
3Works.—Oratorio, King Hezekiah (composed, 1886, produced, Harrogate, 1891); Sacred cantatas, Laudate Dominum; Christ at Nain (which obtained the £50 prize offered by Curwen and Sons, 1895); Cantata, Bottreaux bells (1873); Six school cantatas; The crown of roses, Summer holiday, etc., etc. Jubilee ode, Victoria! Victoria! (1887). Services of song, anthems, school songs, etc. In MS. are two comic operas, King Cophetua (produced, 1881), and Endymion (1883), and a dramatic cantata, The water nymph (1885). Organ music contributed to the "Organist's Quarterly Journal" and other publications, and hymn tunes in the "National Tune Book" (London: Patey and Willis), etc., etc.
5Bentley, John Morgan, composer and organist, born at Manchester, September 3, 1837. Graduated at Cambridge, Mus. Bac., 1877; Mus. Doc., 1879. Was organist successively at St. Philip's, Salford, 1855; St. Stephen's, Manchester, 1860; St. Saviour's, 1866; and of Bowden Parish Church, and Cheadle Abbey Church. During that time he conducted choral societies in those districts, and at Blackburn, Winsford, and Eccles. In 1881 he was appointed local examiner for R.A.M., and in the same year was made Provincial Grand Organist of East Lancashire.
7Works.—Oratorio, What is life? (1879); Dramatic cantata, Gethsemane (1877); Cantatas, Yuletide, and The Golden butterfly—the latter for female voices. Vesper canticles; Psalter pointed, and Psalter chants (Heywood, Manchester). Symphony and other orchestral works in MS. Horae Sacrae, pieces for violin and pf.; The Two violinists, a series of duets for violins, with pf. accompaniment; Songs, etc., etc.
9Benton, Alfred, organist and conductor, born in Leeds. Began his musical career at the age of ten as a choir boy in Leeds Parish Church. His first instructor on the organ and pianoforte was Mr. Wm. Dawson, then deputy organist of the Parish Church. Afterwards he became the pupil of R. S. Burton, and took lessons in counterpoint from W. J. Pritchard (a famous blind organist) and in composition from F. W. Hird. When fourteen years old he obtained the post of organist at All Saints', Leeds, and subsequently was appointed to Windermere Parish Church, Arthington; St. Mark's, Manningham; St. Martin's, Potternewtown; and finally, in 1891, succeeding Dr. Creser as organist and choirmaster of Leeds Parish Church. Here he worthily sustains the high reputation gained for the services. In 1889 he was appointed organist of the Leeds Festival, a position he still retains, with that of chorus-master, since 1895. He has introduced many important works at the Advent and Lent services, including the Requiem by Brahms, Spohr's Last Judgment, and Bach's Matthew Passion. For years past he has been noted as a skilful conductor, societies in Barnsley, Morley, Bramley, and other places being under his direction. A permanent orchestra was formed in Leeds, in 1895, and a choral union also, the conductorship of both being entrusted to Mr. Benton, who now occupies a most responsible and honoured position in Leeds. He has also a high reputation as a teacher of singing, many of his pupils now holding appointments in English cathedrals.
11Berger, Francesco, pianist and composer, born June 10, 1834, in London, where his father, an Austrian, had settled as a merchant. Studied in Italy under Luigi Ricci and Carl Lickl, and at Leipzig under Hauptmann and others. Settled in London, 1855. Appeared at concerts in London and the provinces as solo pianist. In 1868 established the "Après-midi Instrumentales." Was appointed a professor of pf. at the R.A.M. in 1885, and became hon. sec. of the Philharmonic Society in 1887. In 1864 he married Miss Lascelles, contralto vocalist. His works include a mass and an opera; the music to The Frozen deep (Wilkie Collins, 1857); a Suite in G, and other pieces for pf. Cavatina for violoncello and pf. Part-songs: Poor and rich (Leslie's Choir, 1884), and others. Songs: Amor timido; Fair, but fleeting; Only thyself, etc., etc. Author of "First steps at the pianoforte" (Novello).
13Berry, Sarah, contralto vocalist, born at Bamford, near Manchester, where, from her eighth to her seventeenth year, she was a weaver in a mill. She gained the Courtney Scholarship, R.C.M., and pursued her studies under the late Madame Goldschmidt, having lessons also in declamation from Mrs. Kendal. She made her début in Manchester, January 7, 1888, at a concert of M. De Jong, and at once achieved success. In October of the same year, she sung in "Elijah" at Huddersfield, and in that oratorio at the Albert Hall (Royal Choral Society), January 22, 1890. She has also appeared at concerts in Birmingham and other places; and at the Leeds Festival of 1895, created a highly favourable impression. She sang at the Norwich Festival of 1896, and is gaining a good position among the singers of the day.
15Berry, Thomas, organist and composer, born at Shepley, York, June 21, 1850. He settled in Glasgow about 1873, and has been a teacher and organist there ever since. Among his appointments may be named the organistship of Trinity Congregational Church and Bellhaven Church, Glasgow. He has also given organ recitals in Glasgow and in various parts of Scotland. Composer of various works preserved in manuscript.
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