Hamilton Harty (1879-1941) was an Irish composer, pianist and conductor. Born in County Down, he first made his name as an accompanist before becoming one of the leading conductors in Britain.

As a composer he wrote orchestral music, songs, chamber works and arrangements. His Irish Symphony and other works draw on Irish melodic character without abandoning the broader late Romantic orchestral tradition.

Harty’s music is fluent, colourful and direct, with a performer’s sense of line and pacing. His experience at the keyboard and on the podium gave his writing practical strength.

He is now best remembered as a conductor, especially through his work with the Hallé Orchestra, but his compositions remain an attractive part of British and Irish musical life between the wars.