Carwithen: Bishop Rock

Day 333

Doreen Carwithen: Bishop Rock

London Symphony Orchestra

Richard Hickox

Doreen Carwithen was reasonably well known as a film composer during her lifetime - she wrote the score for the official coronation of Elizabeth II, reportedly in only three days. She had made some headway as a composer of concert music but largely gave up her work in this field to look after her Husband William Alwyn. She did resume composition after his death. As in the case of so many female composers she rather faded away from view, though since her death there has been a revival of interest in her work.

This short piece dates from 1952 and is a musical portrait of the lighthouse and the surrounding area. It is very much in the spirit of Walton with a touch of Malcolm Arnold. I enjoyed it a lot - it would make a good bright and breezy first piece in a concert.