Doreen Carwithen’s “Suffolk Suite” for string orchestra, composed in 1964 for Framlingham College’s 100th birthday, is a delightful and evocative work that pays homage to the English county of Suffolk. As one of Carwithen’s notable compositions, the suite showcases her skilful orchestration, melodic inventiveness, and ability to capture the essence of a specific locale through music.
In the context of mid-20th-century British music, Carwithen’s “Suffolk Suite” aligns with the tradition of English light music and pastoral composition. Carwithen, who studied with Benjamin Britten, demonstrated a keen understanding of orchestral colours and an ability to create expressive and accessible works.
The suite reflects her connection to the landscape and culture of Suffolk. Her own descriptive notes for each movement are as follows:
“I The Prelude begins with a trumpet fanfare which is followed by a stately tune on the strings, befitting a royal occasion.
II Orford Ness – a peaceful, rocking movement, reminding listeners of the yachts at anchor, accompanies the tune, played first on the solo flute, then on the strings, the oboe and finally the clarinet.
III Suffolk Morris. The dancers, wearing traditional costumes decorated with ribbons and bells, begin a lively dance in 6/8 rhythm A brief, slower section (a long tune on solo woodwind accompanied by chords on the harp) allows them to get their breath back before the side drum sounds the dance rhythm and off they go again, through the market square and down the High Street.
IV March: Framlingham Castle. The brass introduce a stirring march, summoning picture of the moated ruins of this superb, Norman castle, which still dominates the town and surrounding countryside.”
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