Doreen Carwithen

Full biography Doreen Carwithen

Doreen Carwithen was a British composer born on December 15, 1922, in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, England. Despite never receiving any formal musical training growing up, Carwithen began composing music at a young age. She attended the Royal Academy of Music, studying composition with William Alwyn.

Carwithen's music is often characterized by dramatic melodies and rich orchestration, inspired by her love of film scores. In fact, she began her career as a composer for films, scoring several British productions in the 1940s and 1950s. Some of her most notable film scores include "The Story of Shirley Yorke" and "Meet Mr. Lucifer."

In addition to her film work, Carwithen composed a number of concert pieces as well. Her works include a piano concerto, string quartets, and orchestral suites. Many of her works were influenced by her passion for literature, and she often set poetry to her music.

Carwithen's music was well-received and recognized during her lifetime. She won the prestigious "Prix de Rome" award in 1949 and was invited to become an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 1957. However, her career was relatively short-lived, as she stopped composing for an extended period due to familial responsibilities. Despite this, Carwithen's music remains an important contribution to the British classical music landscape. She passed away on April 24, 2003.