The Farmer's Boy Overture (Andred's Weald)

Traditional Kentish farm with oast houses. Photograph: Jeanette Teare/Alamy

Weald of Kent viewed from Sevenoaks. Photograph: PjrDrone/Alamy

The Farmer’s Boy Overture was originally called Andred’s Weald when it was composed and first performed.

Andred’s Weald refers to the great wooded forest between the North and South Downs in South East England, that stretched from the Roman fortress at Pevensey on the East Sussex coast, north into central Kent. It was also known as The Weald of Kent and Susan took walks there for relaxation and inspiration.

This work ends with a rousing rendition of the theme from the English folksong The Farmer’s Boy. This folk song was the “party piece” of William Dunk, Susan’s father, which he would sing at family concerts. Alan Gibson, Susan’s son, indicated that William attended the premiere performance of this piece in Bournemouth in 1925. It was performed again in Bournemouth on 28 February 1929 with Susan conducting. She also conducted a performance of it by the Royal Artillery Band at Woolwich on 10 March 1932.

In 1935 it was renamed The Farmer’s Boy Overture and published.

It was broadcast on the BBC in 1945 by the BBC Midland Light Orchestra, conducted by Susan’s friend Rae Jenkins. This performance can be heard using the link at the end of this page (but may not be available in some geographies). This recording was selected by conductor Karin Hendrickson to mark International Women’s Day 2019 on BBC Radio 3.

There is also now a fine recording of it by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell which is often broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

Front page of manuscript for The Farmer's Boy Overture.

Excerpt of The Farmer's Boy manuscript.

Listen

BBC Sounds: BBC Midland Light Orchestra conducted by Rae Jenkins, recorded and broadcast on 17 January 1945.