New music festival celebrates remarkable composer buried in Hampsthwaite
by
Last updated Oct 8, 2022
Amy Woodforde-Finden Festival
Patricia Hammond and Thomas Flessenkaemper at last night's song recital.

An ambitious new two-day music festival in a small Harrogate village began last night.

The Amy Woodforde-Finden Music Festival was created to promote a female composer who is buried in Hampsthwaite.

About 70 people attended a recital of her songs at St Thomas a Becket Church, featuring London mezzo-soprano Patricia Hammond.

A guided tour of Amy’s Hampsthwaite this morning will be followed by a concluding concert this evening featuring two baritones and talented local musicians at St Thomas a Becket.

It is hoped the festival will become an annual event, promoting the work of Amy and other female composers, as well as engaging local artists and schools.

Amy’s music was much sought-after at the turn of the last century but her reputation fell into obscurity following her death in 1919.

Amy Woodforde-Finden's tomb

Amy Woodforde-Finden’s tomb

Her tomb in St Thomas a Becket Church attracted little attention for a century until the German composer and pianist Thomas Flessenkaemper was appointed director of music for the benefice of Hampsthwaite, Killinghall and Birstwith.

Mr Flessenkaemper noticed the tomb during his interview for the role and when he took up the position he became curious. He said:

“I set out to track down this extraordinary artistic personality. I quickly realised that I had struck gold and read everything I could find about Amy Woodforde-Finden.”

He became “completely drunk on the colourfulness of her musical language” and set about establishing a festival to promote her work.

St Thomas a Becket Church last night

Mr Flessenkaemper accompanied Ms Hammond at last night’s recital, the highlight of which was Amy’s four-song Indian Love Lyrics.

The programme notes included a supportive quote from international pianist Stephen Hough, who said he “immediately fell in love with the alluring melodies, the exotic harmonies and the ultra-sentimental words” of Amy’s music.

A video set to Amy’s music featuring Hampsthwaite is available here.

Tickets for this evening’s concert are available here and at the church door tonight.


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