Stanford, Charles Villiers 09/30/1852 - 03/29/1924

Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) was an Irish-English composer and conductor. He received his first instrumental and compositional instruction in his native city of Dubliln. At 18 he studied in Cambridge, where he later became organist at Trinity College and conductor of the Cambridge University Musical Society; he also led the London Bach Choir after 1855. During a stay in Germany between 1874 and 1876 he perfected his compositional style with Carl Reinecke in Leipzig and Friedrich Kiel in Berlin. After his return he moved to London and in 1883 became professor of composition at the Royal Academy of Music, and in 1887 also at the University of Cambridge. His students include Gustav Holst, John Ireland, and Ralph Vaughan Williams.



In 1901 he directed the Leeds Triennial Festival, and was knighted in 1902. After his death his urn was laid to rest in an aisle of Westminster Abbey.



Although he was appreciated in his lifetime because of his rich creativity in every genre, few of his orchestral works have survived. None of his twelve operas had much success. However, his choral music remains an integral part of Anglican choral music. Some continues to be performed, primarily in the English-speaking world, especially the moving "Songs of the Fleet." His Variations for Piano and Orchestra on the song "Down Among the Dead Men" have also remained popular.