Cantilena
Susan composed Cantilena, a tone poem for clarinet and orchestra, in 1930.
The first performance took place on 12 July, 1930, at a private concert in Folkestone which included the Phantasy Quartet by Imogen Holst. The soloist for this premier performance with piano was Reginald Kell. No mention is made of the pianist, though it can be safe to assume that it was the composer. A review from 26 July remarks that “Susan Spain-Dunk’s work was far ahead of all the others, both musically and technically…”.
It was not until later in December of 1931 that Cantilena (later called Poem) was to be heard as Susan had intended. The concert took place on the 5th of that month at the Queen’s Hall in London and was conducted by John Barbirolli. The concert was organised by Trinity College of Music - then situated on Marylebone High Street - and performed by its students, and the soloist was no exception; the clarinettist in question was a Herbert New, studying with Charles Draper. According to N. Porteous of the Folkestone Herald, “Miss Spain-Dunk’s concerto for clarinet and orchestra was warmly received by a large audience…”.
— Album notes by Peter Cigleris, from Rediscovered - British Clarinet Concertos, Cala Signum 2021
Cantilena was broadcast by the BBC in 1932.
The rediscovery of Cantilena by clarinettist Peter Cigleris initiated the revival of interest in Susan Spain-Dunk and her music. In 2018, having been unable to obtain a copy of Cantilena from the publishers, Peter contacted Susan’s grandchildren. He and Susan’s grandson retrieved a crate of Susan’s manuscripts from the attic and found Cantilena. Peter transcribed the score and parts ready for performances and recording. He was engaged as a guest soloist by the Folkestone Symphony Orchestra for a concert in the spring of 2019 and suggested to Rupert Bond, their conductor, that Cantilena be included. On 16 March 2019, the Folkestone Symphony Orchestra with Peter as soloist performed Cantilena for the first time in over 60 years in Holy Trinity Church Folkestone. Susan had been confirmed in this church in 1896. The audience included the Mayor of Folkestone and Susan’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Peter Cigleris subsequently recorded the piece with Deian Rowlands (harp) and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Ben Palmer, for his album Rediscovered, Signum Records, 2021 (Cala Signum) in November 2019. It has since been broadcast a number of times. An arrangement also exists for clarinet and piano, which Peter has also performed.
Cantilena had its U.S. premiere performance on 2 July 2022, when Peter Cigleris performed the piece with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Jason Altieri. Dr Vanessa Klassen, reviewing the concert, wrote that “the piece itself is beautiful and captivating, and Cigleris’ playing was so smooth, lyrical and all-round breathtaking.”
Listen
Section titled “Listen”Performed by Peter Cigleris (clarinet), Deian Rowlands (harp) and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Ben Palmer.
From the album Rediscovered, Signum Records, 2021.