Arthur Benjamin

Full biography Arthur Benjamin

Arthur Leslie Benjamin was an Australian composer , pianist, conductor, and teacher. He was born on 19 September 1893 in Sydney and died on 10 April 1960 in London. Benjamin was a prolific composer, writing in a variety of genres including chamber music, concerti, choral music, and operas.

During World War I, he was shot down over Germany and taken prisoner where he spent the rest of the war writing music in a German prison camp. At the end of the war, he resumed his studies, and eventually became a professor of composition at the Royal College of Music in London.

Benjamin was known for his ability to write in a variety of styles, ranging from neoclassical to romantic. He was particularly attracted to writing for the stage, composing two operas, including Prima Donna, and writing music for film. He was also an accomplished pianist and conductor, and often performed his own works.

Some of Benjamin's most well-known compositions include his Violin Concerto, his Symphony, and his Storm Clouds Cantata, which he wrote for Alfred Hitchcock's film of the same name. His works are known for their lyrical melodies, lush harmonies, and inventive use of orchestration.

Benjamin's influence as a composer and teacher can still be felt today, with many of his former students going on to become accomplished composers and musicians in their own right.