In Harmony With Hardy

Join the Thomas Hardy Society’s International Conference for an evening of poetry and readings at the Corn Exchange, accompanied by beautiful piano music and songs – including works by Tchaikovsky, Bach, Finzi, Elgar and Copland – performed by James Graham.

Thomas Hardy was a keen observer of the human condition and his somewhat fatalistic view of life was underpinned by many universal themes including irony, betrayal, nostalgia and the laws of nature.

However, Hardy also had a passion for music, was a keen concertgoer and had surprisingly diverse musical tastes – from the joyful West Gallery bands of his youth to Wagner’s operas and much other romantic repertoire.

Dr Natalie Buton is the Literary Curator. THS Chair Mark Damon Chutter will be the narrator for the evening, and the accompanist for the songs will be Clara Pears. Alban O’Brien and Giles Keating will be reading from the works of Hardy.