Everyone wanted to know who Beethoven’s favourite composer was.

In 1837 William Sterndale Bennett, then regarded as England’s most exciting young composer, made history in quite another... field.

Sir James Melville eavesdrops on Queen Elizabeth I’s music practice, and incurs Her Majesty’s displeasure.

Acclaimed in Germany as a composer on a par with Mendelssohn himself, Bennett sacrificed his life and talents for music in Britain.

The most brilliant violinist of his generation, whose finely-crafted compositions showed off bravura and spoke tenderness.

One of the twentieth century’s greatest pianists, who put himself and his art at the service of his adopted country.