Works List

Chronological list of works

– This list is comprehensive to the best of my knowledge and is greatly informed by Jory Bennett’s List of Works published in The Memoirs of Ethel Smyth, abridged and introduced by Ronald Crichton (Middlesex, England: Viking, 1987). Any errors or omissions are my own, and suggestions for amendments or additions to this list are greatly appreciated.

– As of 2014, one of Smyth’s primary publishers, Universal Edition, returned all rights to the inheritors. Currently, in the USA, Smyth’s works published (and not renewed) before 1928 are in the public domain. Anything currently printed or with copyright renewed in 1928 and following is not in the public domain.

– Note on organization:

Where possible I’ve included the original publisher and date.  This is followed by available editions and versions, with links to websites where the materials can be accessed.  Some works are not available for purchase or hire and can only be accessed through a library.

— Amy Zigler

Cello Sonata in C minor (1880, unpublished)
  • Manuscript available at the British Library, Archives and Manuscripts, miscatalogued as Sonata in C minor for violoncello and piano, Op. 5 [sic], Add MS 45949.
Piano Trio in D minor (1880)
  • Manuscript available at Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections, GB-0033-SMY, 2a-c.
  • First published by Roberton Publications, 2004. Available at boosey.com and prestomusic.com
String Quartet in C minor (1881)
Various Piano Works (ca. 1877-1885)
Five Sacred Part-Songs Based on Chorale Tunes (1882-1884)
  • Only “Komm süsser Tod” currently available in print through Multitude of Voyces: Sacred Music by Women Composers, Vol. 1 SATB, Multitude of Voyces.
  • Other songs include “Kein Stündlein geht dahin,” “Gib dich zufrieden und sei stille,” “O Traurigkeit, O Herzeleid,” and “Erschienen ist der herrlich’ Tag.”
  • Manuscript for all five songs available at the British Library Archives, Add MS 46861.
Short Choral Preludes (composed ca. 1884)
String Quintet in E, Op. 1 (1884)
Lieder & Balladen, Op. 3 (1886)
  • Leipzig: C. F. Peters, 1886.
  • Available through the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Leipzig Library, M.pr.VII 29688
Lieder, Op. 4 (1886)
  • Leipzig: C. F. Peters, 1886.
  • Available through HMT Leipzig Library, M.pr.VII 29687
Cello Sonata in A minor, Op. 5 (1887)
String Trio in D, Op. 6(?) (1884)
Violin Sonata in A minor, Op. 7 (1887)
The Songs of Love, Op. 8, soprano and tenor soli, chorus and orchestra (1888, unpublished)
  • Manuscript available through the British Library, Archives and Manuscripts, Ethel Smyth Collection, Add MS 46862.
Serenade in D (1889)
  • Original ‘hire’ through Universal Edition, no date.
  • London: Lontano Records Ltd., 2015. Edited by Odaline de la Martinez. Score and parts available for purchase . This is a critical edition based on a photocopy of the manuscript score that has Smyth’s markings, which was provided by Universal Edition; this edition differs from the manuscript available at the British Library.
  • A-R Editions, 2021. Edited by John L. Snyder. This is a critical edition of the full score and a facsimile of a photocopy of the autograph manuscript.
  • Photocopy of full manuscript score available at the British Library, MS Mus. 242.
Overture to “Anthony and Cleopatra” (1889)
  • Original ‘hire’ through Universal Edition, Josef Eberle Verlag, no date.
  • String parts only available through the British Library.
  • Forthcoming critical edition of the score and parts is being prepared by Odaline de la Martinez for a  2022 release.
Mass in D (1891)
Fantasio (1898)
Der Wald (1901)
The Wreckers (1906)
  • Leipzig: Breitkopf & Hartel, 1906.
  • Prelude to Act II, “On the Cliffs of Cornwall,” published by London: Novello & Co., 1909.
  • Overture published by Leipzig: Breitkopf & Hartel, 1911.
  • Vocal score published by Vienna: Universal Edition, 1916.
  • Full score and parts available for hire through the Royal College of Music Library, London. library@rcm.ac.uk
  • IMSLP (full score to overture and Prelude to Act II only; vocal score only for full work)
  • Full score and parts to the overture and “On the Cliffs of Cornwall” available for hire through Retrospect Opera contact@retrospectopera.org.uk
Four Songs for mezzo soprano or baritone and chamber ensemble (1908)
  • London: Novello & Co., Ltd., 1909.
  • Score and parts available for hire through wisemusicclassical.com:
  1. Anacreontic Ode
  2. Chrysilla
  3. The Dance
  4. Odelette
  • Version for soprano and piano of “Anacreontic Ode” available through prestomusic.com
  • Version for medium voice and piano of “Chrysilla” available through prestomusic.com
  • Version for soprano and piano of “Odelette” available through prestomusic.com
Hey Nonny No (1910) for chorus and orchestra
Sleepless Dreams (Nacht) (1910) for chorus and orchestra
  • Vienna: Universal Edition, 1912.
  • London: J. Curwen & Sons, 1929.
  • IMSLP (Vocal score only)
  • Also available through prestomusic.com
Songs of Sunrise: Laggard Dawn, 1910, The March of the Women
  • London: J. Curwen & Sons, 1929.
  • Laggard Dawn, SSA: Treble Clef Music Press. Available through sheetmusicplus.com
  • March of the Women in G, chorus and orchestra parts available for hire through wisemusicclassical.com 
  • March of the Women in A-flat, vocal score, available through prestomusic.com
  • March of the Women in G, vocal score, available through prestomusic.com
String Quartet in E minor (1901-1912)
Three Moods of the Sea (1913)
  • Vienna: Universal Edition, 1913.
  • IMSLP (Vocal score only)
Three Songs: No. 1 The Clown, No. 2 Possession (1913)
  • Vienna: Universal Edition, 1913.
  • IMSLP
The Boatswain’s Mate (1914)
  • Vienna: Universal Edition, 1915.
  • IMSLP (Vocal score only)
  • Overture full score and parts available by contacting peter@peterfender.co.uk
    • Original version and two arrangements for smaller orchestra
Fête Galante (1922)
  • Vienna: Universal Edition, 1923.
  • IMSLP (Vocal score only)
  • Suite for orchestra, Vienna: Universal Edition, 1939. Score available at the British Library.
Entente Cordiale (1924) opera in one act
  • London: J. Curwen & Sons, 1925.
  • Vocal score available at the British Library.

NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN IN USA

Two Interlinked French Folk Melodies for small orchestra, from Entente Cordiale (1924)
  • London: Oxford University Press, 1929.
  • Available through the Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music, freelibrary.org
  • Also available through prestomusic.com
Two Interlinked French Folk Melodies for flute, oboe and piano, from Entente Cordiale (1924)
Concerto in A for Violin, Horn, and Orchestra (1928)
Variations on Bonny Sweet Robin for flute, oboe and piano (1928)
The Prison (1930)