Dorothy Howell was considered one of only three important female composers in Britain by critic Joseph Holbrooke in 1921, alongside Ethel Smyth and Rebecca Clarke.
Recording & Production
Four of the five works on this album are world premiere recordings, allowing for the first proper assessment of Dorothy Howell's orchestral music.
Composition History
The Three Divertissements, Dorothy Howell's last large orchestral work, were scheduled for the 1940 Proms but their premiere was cancelled due to World War II.
Notable Performances
Dorothy Howell's symphonic poem Lamia was so popular at its 1919 Proms premiere that it had to be repeated later in the season.
Performer Biography
Rebecca Miller, the conductor, is passionate about championing unduly-neglected female composers and discovered Dorothy Howell's music while preparing for a recording project.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Dorothy Howell's mature compositional style is descriptive and programmatic, focusing on melody and heavily influenced by late Romanticism.
Critical Reception
Despite early celebrity, Dorothy Howell's music, including her major orchestral works, largely faded into obscurity in the latter half of the twentieth century.
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