Madeleine Dring's “Three Piece Suite”

Abstract

Madeleine Dring's Three Piece Suite for Oboe and Piano is investigated here to uncover the facts surrounding its composition and, through a comparison of its two versions, lead to a greater understanding of Dring's vision of the piece. Originally composed for the British classical harmonica player Douglas Tate, the composition was never published in this form. After Dring passed away in 1977, her husband, Robert Lord, transcribed the piece for oboe.

Source material includes correspondence with Douglas Tate's wife Barbara and Roger Lord. Barbara Tate provided a segment of the premiere recording, and recordings of Douglas Tate discussing Madeleine Dring. As Three Piece Suite is only listed by its 1984 publication for oboe in Dring's works list, it will now be placed correctly within the context of her career. With this broader view of the Three Piece Suite's background, performers will have a better understanding of the piece.