The Goldsmiths Sinfonia, conducted by Ian perform Dorothy Howell's Piano Concerto (with Ksenija Laskova, soloist) plus music by Malcolm Arnold and Doreen Carwithen.

The Goldsmiths Sinfonia, conducted by the Head of Department Ian Gardiner, feature two works by major (but now largely forgotten) female composers of the 20th century: Dorothy Howell and Doreen Carwithen, whose 'Bishop Rock' opens this evening's concert.
The orchestra also perform Malcolm Arnold’s 5th Symphony (1961). Its tragic tone, especially in the elegiac slow movement, arose because it memorialised several friends who had died young, among them the horn-player Dennis Brain, the clarinettist Frederick Thurston, and humourist Gerard Hoffnung.

Today the name of Dorothy Howell is sadly all but forgotten, yet she was one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century. Born in Handsworth in 1898, Dorothy's family recognised her gifts and encouraged her musical talents from an early age. Composing by the age of 13, Dorothy entered the Royal Academy of Music by recommendation aged only 15. In 1919 aged just 21, her symphonic poem Lamia was performed to great critical acclaim at The Proms. So was to begin a glittering career in classical music as a distinguished pianist, devoted teacher and composer of over 130 pieces. Tonight's concerto will be performed by alumna Ksenja Laskova, who is currently continuing her performance studies at Trinity Laban.