In the latest instalment of his Guide to Contemporary Classical Music in the Guardian, Tom Service presents the music of Richard Rodney Bennett.

The image shows the piano reduction of Bennett’s opera Mines of Sulphur.

See also the previous articles on Harrison Birtwistle and Arvo Pärt.

Sir Richard Rodney Bennett’s Jazz Calendar, a ballet for 12 players, is performed at the BBC Proms Matinee concert tomorrow.

Nicholas Collon conducts the London Sinfonietta at the Cadogan Hall. Listen live on BBC Radio 3.

Read the Guardian’s recent article, A life in music: Richard Rodney Bennett

“I didn’t ever decide I was going to be a composer. It was like being tall. It’s what I was. It’s what I did”

Read about writing for the screen, Agatha Christie and wanting to be Boulez … (A life in music: Richard Rodney Bennett – Nicholas Wroe)

Sir Richard Rodney Bennett was 75 this year and is featured at this year’s BBC Proms, including a performance of Jazz Calendar.

See the details of the Proms on the BBC website.