Lost works

Over 130 of Susan’s manuscripts and publications have survived and are held in the family archive.

However, the following five pieces have been lost. If you think you may know where they could be found, please do let us know.

Two pieces for viola and piano (1906)

Susan won the RAM Charles Mortimer prize for composition in 1906 with these two pieces, which are now missing.

We have manuscripts for her Two pieces for violin and viola (The Lonely Moor and Jig) which were published in 1960. These have recently been recorded by Shirley Turner and Peter Mallinson. However, we believe these are not the pieces submitted for the Charles Mortimer prize in 1906.

We also have the manuscript for a piece for viola and piano, called Ballade, dated 1906. This manuscript has “entered for the Charles Mortimer Prize” written on it but then crossed out, so we assume this was not one of the pieces entered.

We are grateful to the RAM Archive for searching for the missing pieces and confirming that they do not hold them.

Phantasie in A minor: Hâtez-vous lentement, et sans perdre courage

This piece for piano, violin and cello was composed in 1907 and won a Consolation Prize in the 1907 Cobbett competition for a Phantasy piano trio. Its title appears to be a quotation from a poem, L’Art poétique (1674) by Nicolas Boileau.

We only have the cover page, and the first page of music, from what appears to be a preliminary manuscript.

Violin Sonata in B minor

This piece won a Supplementary Prize in the 1909 Cobbett competition for Sonata for Violin and Piano.

The Romance from this sonata was published (although we do not hold the manuscript for it) and has been recorded by Patrick Wastnage and Elizabeth Dunn.

We have been unable to find any other sections of the piece.

The Worshipful Company of Musicians, who administer the Cobbett competitions, have kindly confirmed that they do not hold a copy of this sonata or the Phantasie in A minor in their archives.

Notre Dame d’Albert, tone poem (1931)

The Folkestone Herald newspaper describes the first performance of this tone poem by Feltham Philharmonic Society on 4 November 1931, with Susan present. It appears to have been well received and was performed twice at the request of the orchestra.

The piece was also performed at the City Temple in London in 1932.

We only hold an empty folder with the name of the work, “arranged for violin and piano”, with “Feltham Philharmonic Society” written on it.

Do you know of anyone who might hold pieces performed by Feltham Philharmonic Society in 1931?

Lost recordings

We would particularly like to trace the following recordings, because these are said to be two of Susan’s finest works and no modern recordings exist. The details below are mentioned in lecture notes written by Rev. Alan Gibson, Susan’s son.

The Flute Player of Brindavan

The Flute Player of Brindavan seems to have been recorded on 13 November 1954 and broadcast on 14 November 1954, probably by the BBC Midland Light Orchestra or the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Gilbert Vinter.

Somya Devi

Somya Devi may have been recorded by the BBC Welsh Orchestra conducted by Rae Jenkins in September 1953. The piece may also have been recorded by the BBC Scottish Orchestra conducted by Ian Whyte on 31 August 1956.