Hamilton Harty
An Irish Symphony; A Comedy Overture
The Ulster Orchestra
Bryden Thomson
The Irish Symphony stands in a line of so-named pieces including those by Sir Arthur Sullivan, Sir Charles Villiers Stanford and the Italian composer Michele Esposito. Peter Quinn's less than comprehensive (for me) sleeve notes tells us little about this work - for a more detailed understanding we have to turn to David Greer's book on the composer and his notes for the Chandos releases.
Hamilton Harty [born Hillsborough Co. Down] had entered a number of works in the Feis Ceoil in Dublin. This was a festival begun in the days after the death of Parnell in May 1897 and took the form of a competition. Harty became involved as official accompanist and soon became acquainted with the legendary singer John McCormack. Harty's String Quartet in F: Opus 1 was given its first hearing in 1900 to considerable praise from the local press. In 1904 it was the turn of his Symphony to take the prize. Unlike the Symphonies by Sullivan and Stanford this was based firmly on Irish tunes. And there was a definite verbal programme.
The first movement was entitled 'On the Shores of Lough Neagh' - a sonata-form piece which made use of two well known Irish melodies 'Avenging & Bright' and 'The Croppy Boy.' These two tunes make the first and second subjects respectively. A third tune - devised by the composer himself in truly Irish vein, is used in the development.
The second movement is entitled 'The Fair Day' . In its time this piece has often stood alone -a recording exists of the composer conducting the Hallé playing this. The local fiddler tunes up and then begins a reel - 'The Blackberry Blossom.' Further melodies are used in this well written scherzo. A respite is gained with 'The Girl I left Behind me.' Harty apparently attempted to mimic the marching bands from Ulster.
The Third Movement is a Lento ma non troppo. It is given the programmatic title 'In the Antrim hills' The composer said that this was 'a wistful lament' based on the ancient song - Jimin Mo Mhile Stor
Hamilton Harty [born Hillsborough Co. Down] had entered a number of works in the Feis Ceoil in Dublin. This was a festival begun in the days after the death of Parnell in May 1897 and took the form of a competition. Harty became involved as official accompanist and soon became acquainted with the legendary singer John McCormack. Harty's String Quartet in F: Opus 1 was given its first hearing in 1900 to considerable praise from the local press. In 1904 it was the turn of his Symphony to take the prize. Unlike the Symphonies by Sullivan and Stanford this was based firmly on Irish tunes. And there was a definite verbal programme.
The first movement was entitled 'On the Shores of Lough Neagh' - a sonata-form piece which made use of two well known Irish melodies 'Avenging & Bright' and 'The Croppy Boy.' These two tunes make the first and second subjects respectively. A third tune - devised by the composer himself in truly Irish vein, is used in the development.
The second movement is entitled 'The Fair Day' . In its time this piece has often stood alone -a recording exists of the composer conducting the Hallé playing this. The local fiddler tunes up and then begins a reel - 'The Blackberry Blossom.' Further melodies are used in this well written scherzo. A respite is gained with 'The Girl I left Behind me.' Harty apparently attempted to mimic the marching bands from Ulster.
The Third Movement is a Lento ma non troppo. It is given the programmatic title 'In the Antrim hills' The composer said that this was 'a wistful lament' based on the ancient song - Jimin Mo Mhile Stor
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Thank You so much!!!
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