We are bringing together three of my recent projects about Thomas Hardy in an album release with Delphian Records and a tour of performances. This page outlines what we are doing, including examples of the music.
The Three Projects:
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Wessex Songs brings together a newly commissioned song (beautiful, haunting music by Kerry Andrew) and ten new arrangements (for guitar and voice) of Hardy songs from 1923 to 2023. These arrangements include canonic settings by Finzi and Britten as well as lesser known gems by Imogen Holst, Ivor Gurney, Robin Milford, Henry Handel Richardson and Muriel Herbert.
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Elegies for Tom is a string quartet with mezzo-soprano. The music responds to Hardy's poem Afterwards with interludes that set Larkin's poem The Mower (which is an homage to Afterwards).
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Elegies for Emma is a song cycle for guitar and voice setting the 'Poems of 1912-13' which are beautiful, honest elegies - Hardy's response to the death of his first wife (Emma Gifford).
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Album:
We are delighted to be collaborating with Delphian Records who will record, release and promote the music from all three projects. The album will be a fascinating portrayal of the many sides of Hardy, his poetry and relationship with Emma, his appreciation of nature, and obsession with the passing of time. We will be in the studio in November 2023 and release is scheduled for July 2024.
We are delighted to be collaborating with Delphian Records who will record, release and promote the music from all three projects. The album will be a fascinating portrayal of the many sides of Hardy, his poetry and relationship with Emma, his appreciation of nature, and obsession with the passing of time. We will be in the studio in November 2023 and release is scheduled for July 2024.
FUNDING
Creation of the music and recording is funded by private donations and support via a Kickstarter campaign as well as grants and donations from trusts, societies, estates and organisations listed above.
We are currently raising funds for a tour of performances in 2024 to support the album release and bring the music to live audiences.
Creation of the music and recording is funded by private donations and support via a Kickstarter campaign as well as grants and donations from trusts, societies, estates and organisations listed above.
We are currently raising funds for a tour of performances in 2024 to support the album release and bring the music to live audiences.
