A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Stephens, Charles

STEPHENS, Charles Edward, nephew of the preceding, was born in the Edgeware Road, March 18, 1821. Displaying early tokens of musical organisation, he was placed under Cipriani Potter for pianoforte, J. A. Hamilton for harmony, counterpoint, and composition, and Henry Blagrove for the violin. In 1843 he was elected organist of St. Mark's, Myddelton Square, and subsequently held the same office at Trinity Church, Paddington, 1846, St. John's, Hampstead 1856, St. Mark's, St. John's Wood, 1862–63, St. Clement Danes, 1864–69, and St. Saviour's, Paddington, 1872–75. In 1850 he was elected an associate, and in 1857 a member of the Philharmonic Society, of which he has repeatedly been chosen a director. In 1865 he was elected a Fellow of the College of Organists, in 1870 an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music, and in 1877 a licentiate, honoris causâ, of Trinity College, London. His first important composition was a trio for pianoforte, violin and violoncello, produced at the Society of British Musicians, himself performing the pianoforte part, and he afterwards produced a symphony and several concert overtures of great merit, No. 4 of which, 'A Dream of happiness,' was played at the Crystal Palace, Nov. 13, 1875. He has also composed many works for pianoforte and organ, and much vocal music, comprising anthems and services, songs, ballads, part-songs, etc. His part-song, 'Come, fill ye right merrily,' gained the prize given by Mr. Henry Leslie's Choir in 1858, and in April 1879 he was awarded both the first and second prizes given by Trinity College, London, for the best string quartet. Although an able pianist, he has, for some years past, rarely appeared in public, having devoted himself almost exclusively to teaching, in which he is much esteemed.

[ W. H. H. ]