March 2025

This unique concert will take you in ‘musical time’ through the life of Edward Elgar, England’s Greatest Composer. It is a story of lowly upbringing to the very heights of National fame. A tale of early struggle for recognition through triumph resigning to a long ‘sunset’ as a composer following the passing of his dear wife, Alice. The story will be told in an informal and informative way as usual by an experienced communicator, the conductor, Adrian Brown 
 
The Elgar sinfonia was formed in 2018 to expressly give live, invigorating concerts of not only the well-known works of Edward Elgar but all the compositions rarely heard in public by this great musician. This includes much choral music for which we have been joined by The London Chorus. Also, music by many other British composers have been featured including works by Finzi, Vaughan Williams and Arthur Bliss; most recently his Piano Concerto brilliantly performed by Rustam Khanmurzin. Many distinguished artists have joined us including Janice Watson and Sasha Rohzdestvensky. The orchestra convenes a week before our concerts for intense rehearsal, players selected by Music Director, Adrian Brown in our home, St Andrews Holborn. 
 
Adrian is a distinguished and respected conductor of British music not least Elgar for which he was presented with the Elgar Medal at a concert in 2020. He always introduces the programme of music giving what audiences feel to be a real insight into what they are to about to hear. In that sense our concerts are friendly and are appreciated in many different ways. 
 
This Concert will, with linked narration telling of Elgar’s circumstances and life, proceed from early works; Three Characteristic Pieces and Salut D’amour; gradual recognition with music from Caractacus; his ‘arrival’ as the successful Sir Edward with parts of Enigma Variations and the Prelude to ‘The Dream of Gerontius’; Elgar at the height of his powers in music from ‘The Kingdom’; and the ‘Severn Suite’ and ‘Mina’ from those years of sunset. 
 
Mina was a tribute to his pet dog, so close to him in his final years. 
 
The music will demonstrate his composing skill and its amazing variety; the Elgar that was always ‘there’ and unrecognised, growing to the most powerful utterances from any composer.  
 
You are invited to join us on this profound musical journey. 
 
Adrian Brown

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.

October 2021

The perfect way to celebrate not only British music and Elgar but also Dame Janet Baker receiving the Elgar Medal and 50years of the Elgar Society. Thank you to all who played wonderfully, Elgar himself for the magical composition and of course the other “side of the triangle” as Dame Janet so beautifully said, “the audience.” Fantastic to finally get the chance to fill every seat again!!

Click below to read the article in full.

The Elgar Sinfonia of London
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