Elgar Festival in Worcester and Malvern

Since its inception in 2018, the annual Elgar Festival has grown from a weekend to a 9-day celebration of the life and music of Worcester’s most famous son and Britain’s great composer, Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934), and held at a number of integral venues of both historic interest and personal significance to the composer in Worcester and Malvern - please see website for details of where and when concerts take place.

Symphonic and ensemble concerts are given by the Festival’s orchestra-in-residence, the English Symphony Orchestra under Principal Conductor and Festival Artistic Director, Kenneth Woods. World-renowned guest artists taking part include Raphael Wallfisch, Gareth Brynmor John, April Fredrick, Simon Callaghan and David Briggs and they are joined by the cream of talented local and regional choirs and ensembles. Ian Venables - ‘Britain’s greatest living composer of arts song’ - is celebrated as featured composer in this his 70th year.

As a major community event with a commitment to attract the widest possible audience, the Elgar Festival provides inspiring performance opportunities for children, young people and adults through initiatives including the ‘Elgar for Everyone’ Family Concert, Young Composers’ Competition, Elgar Festival Chorus, and by way of masterclasses and workshops, giving hundreds of people the chance to participate. Amongst the youth courses is a new performance partnership with students from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

The ‘Elgar for Everyone’ Family Concert in Worcester Cathedral is to be presented by Classic FM broadcaster Zeb Soanes and provides a platform for ESO Youth Orchestras and Ensembles – young musicians from across the Midlands’ region. During the concert there will be the opportunity to hear the winning entries from this year’s Young Composers’ Competition.

Other participatory events include ‘Come and Play Elgar 1’ and a Young Singers Masterclass, where students work on a song of their choice by a British composer with soprano April Fredrick and featured composer Ian Venables.

All concerts at the Elgar Festival offer free entry for under 18s accompanied by full-paying adults. Many other events are free-of-charge including relaxed concerts, talks, film and an exhibition.

Informal events include a performance by Worcester Concert Brass - also free-of-charge and early evening Club Elgar featuring a Retro 70’s Fusion where 70’s fancy dress is recommended! ‘In Elgar’s Footsteps’ is a guided walk culminating with a short recital, while Festival Evensong is a fitting conclusion celebrating the music of Edward Elgar and Ian Venables and to which all are invited.

Photos by Michael Whitefoot