Brother Musicians: Reminiscences of Edward and Walter Bache

Francis Edward Bache (1833-58) and his younger brother Walter (1842-88) were active during a rich period of musical life in Britain. The Philharmonic Society and Crystal Palace concerts in London, the Halle Orchestra in Manchester, and the Birmingham and Three Choirs festivals were all well established, while celebrated composer/conductors from Berlioz to Wagner and virtuosi including violinist Joseph Joachim and pianist Anton Rubinstein were in great demand. Edward, a pupil of Sterndale Bennett, was a promising organist and composer whose potential was tragically ended by his early death from tuberculosis. Walter, a pupil of Liszt from 1862 to 1865, became a dedicated promoter of the pianist/composer’s music to the British concert-going public through annual concerts that he financed. First published in 1901, this affectionate account of the brothers’ lives by their sister Constance (1846-1903) includes many letters as well as lists of Edward’s compositions and Liszt’s orchestral works performed at Walter’s concerts.