Peter Bennett stands out as a distinguished figure in the world of music, seamlessly blending the roles of scholar and performer. His expertise encompasses both Musicology and Historical Performance Practice at CWRU, making him a respected voice in his field. Specializing in early-modern France, particularly the fascinating intersection of music, religion, and politics during the reign of Louis XIII in Paris, Peter Bennett also has a long and celebrated career as a harpsichordist and organist, with experience spanning Europe and the United States.
Scholarly Contributions to Musicology
Dr. Bennett’s academic journey is marked by prestigious degrees from renowned institutions including Cambridge (B.A./M.A., Natural Sciences), King’s College, London (M.Mus.), and Oxford (D.Phil.). He joined the faculty at CWRU in 2005, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and research experience. His contributions to musicology are significant, demonstrated by numerous presentations at conferences across the US, UK, and France. His scholarly work is published in esteemed journals such as the Journal of the American Musicological Society, Early Music, and the Revue de Musicologie. Peter Bennett’s first book, Sacred repertories in Paris under Louis XIII (Ashgate, 2009), part of the Royal Musical Association Monograph series, was hailed as a “magisterial study” by Early Music, solidifying his reputation as a leading scholar in his area.
In 2015-16, Peter Bennett was awarded a Le Studium fellowship at the Centre d’Études Supérieures de la Renaissance in Tours. During this period, his research focused on the ceremonial entrées of Louis XIII, a project that led to an international conference on early modern ceremonial. This research also culminated in the co-edited publication (with Bernard Dompnier) of Cérémonial politique et cérémonial religieux dans l’Europe modern: Échanges et métissages (Classiques Garnier, 2020). Furthermore, insights gained from this fellowship significantly informed his recent book, Music and Power at the Court of Louis XIII: Sounding the Liturgy in Early Modern France (Cambridge University Press, 2021). This book explores the dynamics of power and absolutism through the lens of liturgical and musical practices at court and was described by the Journal of the American Musicological Society as a study that “charts a masterful journey”. Currently, Peter Bennett continues to expand his research, working on several projects exploring the role of music in provincial French ceremonial practices.
Historical Performance Practice and Keyboard Expertise
Alongside his scholarly pursuits, Peter Bennett is an accomplished performer and educator in Historical Performance Practice, particularly renowned for his keyboard skills. He received organ training from distinguished musicians such as Nicolas Kynaston in Cambridge and Peter Planyavsky in Vienna. Later, he expanded his expertise to the harpsichord, studying with Jill Severs in London and Kenneth Gilbert at the Academia Chigiana in Siena.
Peter Bennett founded Ensemble Dumont (1995-2003), a celebrated consort of singers, viols, and continuo. As director and keyboardist for the ensemble, he led performances across the UK and Europe, including appearances at prestigious events like the Bruges and Innsbruck Early Music Festivals, the MDR-Sommer Festival, and Wigmore Hall in London. Ensemble Dumont’s performances were also broadcast on major European broadcasting corporations, including the BBC, RAI (Italy), MDR/SWR (Germany), and R3 (Belgium). Their recordings for Linn Records garnered significant critical acclaim, including Editor’s Choice and Critics’ Choice from Gramophone Magazine, which described their work as “meltingly gorgeous” and “one of the year’s most beautiful releases … sublime performances”. Diapason praised their recordings with the rhetorical question, “Est-il pourtant disque plus sensuel, plus ravissant que celui-ci?” Further accolades came from BBC Music Magazine (“performed with gracefulness and sensibility”) and Le Monde de la Musique, among others.
In Cleveland, Peter Bennett is actively involved in shaping the next generation of musicians. He teaches harpsichord in the HPP program at CWRU and serves as Head of Harpsichord at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM). Since 2006, he has also been a valued performer with Apollo’s Fire, the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, further enriching the city’s vibrant early music scene.
Peter Bennett’s dual career as both a respected scholar and a celebrated performer provides a unique and invaluable perspective to the field of musicology and historical performance. His ongoing research and dedication to teaching continue to inspire and influence the world of early music.
