Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/B/Bennet, William

Bennet, William, professor of music, and organist of St. Andrew's Church, Plymouth, was descended from an ancient and highly respect-able family. He was born about the year 1767. He was educated in music at Exeter, by Bond and Jackson, both composers and eminent musicians. He afterwards went to London, and finished his studies under the direction of Christian Bach, at whose death he placed himself under the celebrated Schroeter, who, it is well known. by his superior and very elegant performance on the grand piano-forte, brought that instrument into public notice, and superseded the use of the harpsichord. His pupil Bennet did the same at Plymouth. Being invited to settle there, he was the first person that introduced a grand piano-forte into that town; and by his perseverance and repeated performance on that instrument, at the public and private concerts, he overcame the prejudice of the natives and professors for harpsichords. Soon after his arrival at Plymouth, in the year 1793, Bennet was appointed organist of St. Andrew's church, and was considered one of the best extemporary performers in England on the organ. his musical compositions are extensive and classical. They consist of "'Three Sonatas for the Piano-forte, with Accompaniment ; "A Concerto for the Grand Piano-forte, with Accompaniments for a full Orchestra ; " "Two Divertimentos ;" "Three Sets of six Songs, with a Glee to each Set ;" "Three Duets for two per-formers on the Piano-forte ;" "A Coronation March ;" "A Coronation Anthem ;" The celebrated glee, "When shall we three meet again?" with several other glees, &c., &c. Bennet also published very extensive works : "The Collects of the Church of England, in Score," for the use of cathedrals, or for other public or private performances ; and the "New Version of Psalms, in four Parts," with a full accompaniment for the organ or piano-forte. He has likewise composed sever-al overtures and fugues, and voluntaries for the organ.