Thomas Hardy’s poetry has inspired many of our greatest 20th century composers – Benjamin Britten, Gerald Finzi, Imogen Holst, Ivor Gurney and Arnold Bax just for starters. But the lyric poems Hardy wrote after the death of his first wife Emma with whom he had had a troubled relationship and from whom he had been separated for over 20 years, are regarded as the peak of his poetic achievement. They, in turn, have inspired contemporary composer Arthur Keegan.
Arthur’s conversion to Hardy was sparked by Australian mezzo soprano Lotte Betts-Dean. Lotte is a Hardy enthusiast who loves singing his poetry. Arthur was blown away.
Six years on Arthur and Lotte, along with guitarist James Girling and composer Kerry Andrews, have created their Wessex Songs cycle celebrating not only Thomas Hardy’s poetry as Art Song but the tradition of guitar accompanying voice which has been a cornerstone of the English musical tradition since the renaissance.
To get a flavour of the songs check in to their Wessex Songs website where you can listen to some of their rehearsal tapes.
Arthur, Lotte, and James have also just launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a recording of their Hardy songs with Delphian Records .
The programme for July 13th will include:
Arthur Keegan’s – Elegies for Emma
Gerald Finzi – Shortening Days and It Never Looks Like Summer
Benjamin Britten – At The Railway Station Upway
Songs by Imogen Holst, Ivor Gurney, Robin Milford, Betty Roe, Henry Handel (Ethel) Richardson
A new song by composer Kerry Andrews.
Supper
Our early Victorian supper for the Fanny Mendelssohn concert was such a success that we thought we would have an Edwardian supper to celebrate Thomas Hardy. Arnold Bennett omelette, Kedgeree and Devilled kidneys immediately spring to mind – but who knows what else!
To buy tickets for July 13th go here.
6.30 doors open, 7pm concert, 8.30pm supper – hopefully in the garden. £28 to include buffet supper and wine.
Upcoming concerts
Sunday 11th June – lunchtime concert with The Reliables
As part of this year’s Highgate Festival on Sunday 11th June we have Highgate local Rob Pfeiffer (guitar and vocal) and long term collaborator Dave Barrows (sax, flute and electronics) giving us a taste of African dance grooves, classical Indian music and modern Jazz.
Sunday 11th June – 12.00 noon – £15 to include copious quantities of Bucks Fizz – Book here
Saturday 9th September – The Voice Trio – Lighter Patterns of Love
On 9th September we are going back to Highgate School Chapel for a recital by the lovely Voice Trio, Victoria, Clemmie and Emily, who gave us such a wonderful evening devoted to Hildbrand of Bingen eighteen months ago.
The concert will start at 7 with a short interval for a (free) glass of wine in the quadrangle. Ticket cost- £20.
More details to come very soon.
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