Today is the 118th birthday of English composer and pianist Dorothy Howell.
Howell’s formal music education was at the Royal Academy of Music. Her early success was marked by the premiere of her symphonic poem, Lamia, at the Proms under the baton of Sir Henry Wood in September, 1919. Wood would continue to champion her music throughout his lifetime, and even encouraged Howell to attending his conducting class, but Howell refused and instead became a teacher at the Royal Academy of Music. Often referred to as the “English Strauss”, she wrote extensively for orchestra.
Have a listen to her Piano Concerto: