Bennett’s popularity as a composer was short-lived as he later devoted himself to his work as a professor of music at the University of Cambridge and then as the Principal of the Royal Academy of Music.

Although Bennett’s works have been largely forgotten, there is now some renewed interest in his piano music.

Out of his five piano concertos the third and fourth are a good introduction to his music. The former has a romantic slow movement and the latter a Barcarole (Gondolier's Song) slow movement, inserted at the suggestion of Mendelssohn.

Bennett’s songs remain an important example of the genre in mid-19th century England