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Donald Macleod explores Stanford鈥檚 works inspired by Walt Whitman and the traditional music of Ireland.

Marking the centenary of his death, Composer of the Week explores the remarkable life and music of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. Stanford was one of the leading musicians of his generation and, along with Parry and Mackenzie, he was one of the main protagonists in Britain鈥檚 musical renaissance at the end of the 19th century. Born in Dublin, Stanford rose to the very top of the British music scene, as both a conductor and composer. He also maintained strong links to Germany, following his studies in Leipzig and Berlin. Stanford鈥檚 works were popular in Europe, as well as Britain, with conductors such as Hans Richter promoting his music. Today, Stanford is largely remembered for his sacred works, however his prolific output covers most genres and he had a particular passion for opera. He was an influential teacher at the Royal College of Music and Cambridge University; many future musical luminaries passed through his classes, including Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Rebecca Clarke and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Stanford was a tremendous force for good in British music, and in honour of his contribution to British culture, his ashes are interred in Westminster Abbey close to the remains of Henry Purcell.

During the 1880s Sir Charles Villiers Stanford was attempting to make his way as an opera composer. Donald Macleod with Professor Jeremy Dibble discuss the outcome of Stanford鈥檚 first opera premiered in Hanover, and also his second opera which was premiered in Hamburg but didn鈥檛 fare well in London. Other works of Stanford鈥檚 had more success including his Elegiac Ode: a setting of Walt Whitman which Dibble describes as similar to a choral symphony. In the same decade, Stanford composed his Symphony No 3, called the Irish Symphony, which was an international success with Hands Richter frequently championing the work in London and Vienna.

To the Rose, Op 19 No 3
Stephen Varcoe, baritone
Clifford Benson, piano

Piano Trio No 1, Op 35 (Allegretto con moto)
Gould Piano Trio

Elegiac Ode, Op 21 (The night, in silence, under many a star)
麻豆社 National Chorus of Wales
麻豆社 National Orchestra of Wales
Adrian Partington, conductor

The Lord is my Shepherd
Choir of New College Oxford
Paul Plummer, organ
Edward Higginbottom, director

Symphony No 3, Op 28 鈥淚rish鈥� (Allegro molto Vivace)
Ulster Orchestra
Vernon Handley, conductor

Piano Quintet in D minor, Op 25 (Allegro risoluto)
RTE Vanbrugh Quartet
Piers Lane, piano

A Child鈥檚 Garland of Songs, Op 30 No 9 (My ship and me)
Kitty Whately, mezzo-soprano
Gareth Brynmor John, baritone
Susie Allan, piano

Produced by Luke Whitlock