The Elgar Sinfonia of London
“The trees are singing my music, or have I sung theirs?” Sir Edward Elgar
The Elgar Sinfonia has been formed to realise the long standing desire of conductor Adrian Brown to conduct Elgar and other composers close to his heart with a single artistic vision. Lesser known works of Elgar and Berlioz in particular will be performed alongside great and popular works of the British repertory.
Next Concert
Conductor Adrian Brown
Leader: Ryo Koyama
Elgar Cello Concerto in the version for Solo Viola
Soloist Christopher McClain
Holst ‘Hammersmith’
Vaughan Williams:
A ‘Pastoral’ Symphony (No.3)
Newsfeed
November 2025 concert
The Elgar Sinfonia since 2018 has performed some fifteen concerts, 99% of which have proclaimed British Music. It is its remit to give live performances of many works especially Elgar and Vaughan Williams that may certainly have been recorded but are rarely if ever played live.
The concert in November is no exception. The Vaughan Williams Pastoral Symphony should receive many more performances than it receives. That this work whose title Pastoral denies it’s real message of WW 1 is as profound as any work I know. Holst’s ‘Hammersmith’ reflects and considers, with the ever-flowing Thames, the moods and life there, an area where he taught at St Pauls Girls School for many years. It is a masterpiece, neglected in my view.
I myself have never experience Elgar’s Cello Concerto in the concert hall played on the Viola in the Tertis version approved by the composer. This is rare opportunity to explore the different sounds and colours to be heard; perhaps in a tragic new light.
Adrian Brown, Music Director, July 2025
October 2024
Uncovered Imogen Holst Violin Concerto to receive first public performance.
Imogen Holst’s Violin Concerto will have its first public performance in London on 24 November, almost 90 years after the work was written in 1935.
Violinist and composer Midori Komachi is reviving the neglected violin concerto as part of her latest project bridging UK and Japanese cultures through music.
Komachi’s initiative, sparked by her research and discovery of the manuscript of the Concerto for Violin and Strings by Imogen Holst at the Archive, Britten Pears Arts in Aldeburgh, has resulted in the score publication by Faber Music and a series of events this year.
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An absolutely transcendent Elgar Cello Concerto. The soloist sounded like he was improvising it as he went along, and Adrian's super-responsive conducting gave the impression that the orchestra improvised their responses. I heard so many new things. Truly remarkable.
Congratulations to Adrian and all concerned with last Sunday's event.
It was a huge success and hopefully the first of many.
Great Concert - Congratulations Adrian Brown and the Orchestra, it was a fabulous evening!
Thoroughly enjoyed this concert, really exceptional quality and most enjoyed the variety of colour Adrian Brown was able to draw out of the orchestra. We go to a great number of concerts in London due to our daughter being a player, so we have a lot to compare it to - this was absolutely a stand out concert of the year and we feel privileged to have witnessed it. Thankyou!