Born in London Bendall studied at the Royal Academy of Music where his professors were Charles Lucas and Edouard Silas. From January 1872 he spent two years at the Leipzig Conservatoire, where he was a student of Carl Reinecke and Salomon Jadassohn. He pursued a varied career, based mainly in London. He composed several operettas, and a quantity of choral music, songs and a little orchestral music.
He was Arthur Sullivan's friend, confidant, and (from 1894 to Sullivan's death in 1900) his secretary. After the end of Sullivan's long collaboration with Gilbert, Wilfred introduced the composer to Basil Hood, who wrote the librettos for Sullivan's last two operas. Many of the vocal scores and piano reductions of Sullivan's popular operas were from the hand of Wilfred.
In his will, Sullivan left Bendall two manuscript scores of his music as well as a cash sum and other bequests.
At the same time as serving as Sullivan's secretary, Wilfred Bendall held the post of professor of piano at the recently established Guildhall School of Music, from 1884 to 1904.
Symphony in C minor - 1900
Unfinished - the final movement is presumed to have never been completed. The work is relatively conservative for its time but is attractive and written with assurance.
The first movement has no introduction and begins with the Allegro. There are two main themes, the first of which is heard on the 1st violins.
And the second theme:
SAMPLE: 1st mov - start
The development section follows.
SAMPLE: 1st mov - middle
And the recap with coda.
SAMPLE: 1st mov - end