The British Musical Biography

[E] Banister, Henry Charles, composer,
pianist, and writer on music, born in London,
June 13, 1831. Son of H. J. Banister (g. v.).
Studied, at first under his father, and later at
the R.A.M., where he won a King's Scholar-
ship in 1846, and again in 1848. Cipriani
Potter was the master he chiefly studied with.
In 1851 he became Assistant Professor, and in
1853 Professor of Harmony and Composition,
R.A.M., and is now F.R.A.M. As a singing
boy he was heard at concerts of the Glee
Clubs, and in 1846 he sang duets in " Judas
Maccabseus," with Miss Dolby and Miss
Sabilla Novello, at the Reading Festival of
1846 (vide Binfield). His string quartet in
F sharp niinor was produced by the Society
of British Musicians at Erat's Saloon, De-
ceniber 29, 1847 ; and he began concert giving
November 26, 1855, at St. Martin's HaU. For
many years a prominent figure in the musical
world, of late he has devoted himself chiefly
to tuition and to musical literature. Besides
his appointment at the R.A.M., he has been a
Professor at the Guildhall School of Music
since 1880, and is Professor of Harmony at the
Royal Normal College for the Blind. Mem-
ber of the Philharmonic Society.

[W] Works. — In MS. : — Symphonies : No. 1, in
D (1847) ; No. 2. in E flat (1848) ; No. 8, in A
minor (1850) ; No. 4, in A (1858). Overtures :

[+] No. 1, in E flat (1849) ; No. 2, " Cymbeline"
(1852) ; No. 3, in E minor (1852) ; No. 4, The
Serenade, in E ; No. 5, From Sorrow to Joy,
in B flat (1876). Andante and Rondo in E
flat (1852). Capriccio in A minor. Fantasia
in D (written for the Musical Society, 1863),
for jjf. and orchestra. String Quartets in P
sharp minor (1847) ; in D (1850) ; in E minor.
Sonatas for pf. duet, in G minor (1850) ; in
A flat ; in A minor ; for pf . solo, in E ; B
flat ; F sharp minor ; F minor ; and F sharp
minor. Sacred Cantata (1851). Cantatas for
female voices and orchestra: The Sea Fairies
(Tennyson — R. A.M., 1861); The Maiden's
Holiday, for female voices (composed for pri-
vate choir of Madame Bassano). Published
compositions. — Pf . pieces, Op. 2, 4 ; Seven
variations on an original air. Op. 5 ; Op. 6 ;
Sonata in F sharp minor, duet, produced
1852, Op. 7 ; Op. 9, 10, 11, 18, 14, 18, 22, 26,
27, 29 ; Andante, with variations, pf. duet,
Op. 31 ; Op. 84 ; Fantasia in F minor. Op. 35
(composed 1874) ; Canzonets, Op. 1, 8 ; Part-
song, Op. 8; Three songs. Op. 16; Anthem,
satisfy us early, Op. 25; Part-songs, songs,
etc. Literary and didactic, including lectures
delivered before the Royal NormalCollege,
The Musical Association, College of Organists,
and the Incorporated Society of Musicians
(Conferences), etc. Text-book of Music, Lon-
don, 1872, 14 editions ; Some Musical Ethics
and Analogies, London, 1884 ; Lectures on
Musical Analysis, 1887 ; Musical Art and Study,
1888 ; George Alexander jMacfarren : his life,
works, and influence London, Bell and Sons,
1892 ; Two addresses on the same subject :
Helpful papers for harmony students London,
Ryder, 1895 ; and many lectures unpublished.

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