News
Updates on recordings, performances, publications and research relating to Susan Spain-Dunk.
Kentish Downs Overture to be performed in Folkestone, UK
Section titled “Kentish Downs Overture to be performed in Folkestone, UK”Folkestone Symphony Orchestra will perform Susan’s Kentish Downs Overture in a concert at 7.30 pm on Saturday 13th March 2027, at Holy Trinity Church, Folkestone.
More information is available here.
Suite for Strings to be performed in Pittsburgh, USA
Section titled “Suite for Strings to be performed in Pittsburgh, USA”The Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh will perform Susan’s Suite for Strings in a concert at 7.30 pm on 6 February 2027, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh.
Elaine to be performed in London
Section titled “Elaine to be performed in London”15 November 2026
The first modern-day performance of Susan’s tone poem Elaine will be given by the London Philanthropic Orchestra on Sunday 15 November 2026. The concert is in support of St Mungo’s, the homelessness charity, and will take place at 4.30 pm at 45 Burnt Ash Hill, London SE12 0AE. Elaine was conducted by Susan at the Proms in 1927 but has not been performed in recent years. More information can be found on the Orchestra’s website.
World premiere of Ballade, Butlers Marston, UK
Section titled “World premiere of Ballade, Butlers Marston, UK”25 October 2026
Peter Mallinson (viola) and Lynn Arnold (piano) will give the world premiere performance of Susan’s Ballade, from Two pieces for the Viola and Pianoforte (1906). The work has been transcribed and edited by Peter Cigleris. From the manuscript, it appears that Ballade was originally intended to be submitted to the 1906 RAM Charles Mortimer Competition for composition, but different pieces (which are currently lost) were submitted instead and won the prize. The concert programme also includes Susan’s Winter Song. The concert will take place at St Peter and St Paul Church, Butlers Marston, at 7 pm on Sunday 25th October 2026.
Further details and ticket information can be found here.
Nocturne to be performed in Cambridge, UK
Section titled “Nocturne to be performed in Cambridge, UK”25 October 2026
Shirley Turner (violin), Peter Mallinson (viola) and Aleksandra Myslek (piano) will perform Susan’s Nocturne at All Saints’ Church, Cambridge (the Painted Church), at 1.15 pm on Sunday 25 October 2026.
Nocturne to be performed in Folkestone, UK
Section titled “Nocturne to be performed in Folkestone, UK”24 October 2026
The Kentish Piano Trio will perform Susan’s Nocturne at the Grand, Folkestone, UK on Saturday 24th October 2026 at 3 pm.
Susan’s relative, Daniel Baker, completed construction of the Grand Hotel in 1903.
Many thanks to Kath Shave and colleagues for arranging this performance, and to Peter Cigleris for transcribing and editing the work from manuscript.
Presentation - Phantasy Trio: Ethel Barns, Susan Spain-Dunk, Alice Verne-Bredt and the Cobbett Prize
Section titled “Presentation - Phantasy Trio: Ethel Barns, Susan Spain-Dunk, Alice Verne-Bredt and the Cobbett Prize”2 September 2026
Matthew Madeley (University of Birmingham) gave a presentation on this topic at the Women and Musical Histories 1789–1914 Conference, Royal Academy of Music, on 2 September 2026.
Performance of Nocturne in Shoreham-by-sea, UK
Section titled “Performance of Nocturne in Shoreham-by-sea, UK”15 August 2026
Shirley Turner (violin), Peter Mallinson (viola) and Elizabeth Burley (piano) performed a programme of music including Susan’s Nocturne at St Mary de Haura Church, Shoreham-by-Sea on 15 August 2026.
Thank you to Shirley, Peter and Elizabeth for a wonderful performance, and to Peter Cigleris for providing the edited transcription of the manuscript for this work.
Performance of Phantasy Quartet in Harbourne, Birmingham
Section titled “Performance of Phantasy Quartet in Harbourne, Birmingham”6 Jun 2026
Matthew Madeley and fellow musicians from the University of Birmingham performed Susan’s Phantasy Quartet in Harbourne, Birmingham on 6 June 2026.
Thank you to Matthew and his colleagues for a lovely performance of this work.
Article on WW Cobbett’s support for women composers
Section titled “Article on WW Cobbett’s support for women composers”Spring 2026
Matthew Madeley discusses the Walter Willson Cobbett prizes and Cobbett’s support for women composers, including Susan Spain-Dunk, in the Spring 2026 edition of Preserve Harmony (page 8 onwards). Preserve Harmony is the magazine of the Musicians’ Company (also known as the Worshipful Company of Musicians), which administers the Cobbett Prizes.
New album featuring The Lonely Moor and Jig
Section titled “New album featuring The Lonely Moor and Jig”26 Apr 2026
A Musical Soirée, a newly-released album, includes Shirley Turner (violin) and Peter Mallinson (viola) performing Susan Spain-Dunk’s The Lonely Moor and Jig. The album (CDE84686) is available via streaming services such as Spotify or Apple Music, or from Meridian Records.
Live performance of The Lonely Moor on BBC Radio 3
Section titled “Live performance of The Lonely Moor on BBC Radio 3”23 Apr 2026
Shirley Turner (violin) and Peter Mallinson (viola) gave a live performance of Susan Spain-Dunk’s The Lonely Moor on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune programme. Shirley and Peter were interviewed by Katie Derham about the piece, which features on their album A Musical Soirée.