In an age when it seems everything that was ever written can be called up with a mouseclick, the possibility of hunting down a forgotten piece of music, for which the parts are lost and no recording exists, is tantalising.

Dan Shilladay, conductor of the pioneering Nonesuch Orchestra, has been on a quest for Dorothy Howell’s Two Pieces for Muted Strings – last performed in 1959. At the home of Merryn and Columb Howell – the niece and nephew of the composer, discreet custodians of her legacy – he was overjoyed to be offered an early proof of the score.

Merryn and Columb Howell

The score of “Two Pieces for Muted Strings”

Even acknowledging the indifference that women composers generally have suffered, it is astonishing that Dorothy Howell is so neglected. Her 1919 symphonic poem Lamia was championed by Henry Wood and performed at the Proms four times in the 1920s alone. She was lauded as “the English Strauss” and became a respected teacher at the Royal Academy of Music. Howell retired to Malvern, where she tended Elgar’s grave for many years. The orchestra’s tribute to her has been made possible by a generous grant from The Ambache Charitable Trust.

As part of CoMA’s Festival of Contemporary Music for All, Dan has transcribed orchestral parts and the Nonesuch Orchestra will give a performance of this delicious work on Saturday 7th March at 7.30pm at St Alban’s Church, Acton Green W4.

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