Elgar Festival introduces first ever events for 2024

Photo caption: Esther Abrami is this year’s Festival Artist in Residence

The annual celebration of the life and music of Worcestershire’s most famous composer has announced a series of inaugural events.

The Elgar Festival – which runs from Monday 27 May until Sunday 2 June this year – has introduced a number of events taking place for the first time in the Festival’s history; these include:

• The Festival has teamed up with the famous Morgan Sports Car Club and Malvern Hills District Council to be the finishing point for the iconic car’s rally around The Elgar Route; rally members will depart from the Morgan Motor Factory at 10.30am on Tuesday 28 May ending at Elgar’s birthplace at The Firs in Worcester for the final session of a conducting masterclass at 3.30pm; 

• The Festival’s 2024 Featured Composer, Steve Elcock, will be joined by Festival Director Kenneth Woods on Thursday 30 May at The Firs at 1.30pm to explore his experiences as a self taught composer;

• Inspirational violinist Esther Abrami – one of the most exciting young rising stars in the classical music world and the Festival’s Artist in Residence for 2024 – will be at Worcester’s Huntingdon Hall on Friday 31 May at 1.00pm, playing a programme including Vaughan Williams’ ‘The Lark Ascending’ alongside a selection of Elgar miniatures;

• Internationally renowned cellist, educator and Festival Patron, Julian Lloyd Webber, will share a lifetime of insights and memories about the Elgar Cello Concerto, with which he has had a close personal connection throughout his professional career on Sunday 2 June at 11.00am at the Museum of Royal Worcester.

The Festival – which was launched in 2018 – was established by decree of Worcester City Council and is traditionally held on the weekend closest to Elgar’s birthday, 2 June 1857.

This year’s Festival will combine orchestral, chamber, vocal, choral and relaxed concerts with exhibitions and talks to celebrate the life and music of Sir Edward Elgar at various venues in Worcestershire.  Entitled ‘The Origins of Inspiration’, the Festival brings together an array of internationally renowned guest artists, placing the music of Worcester’s most famous son alongside that of his contemporaries and some of today’s leading composers and arrangers.

Kenneth Woods, Artistic Director of The Elgar Festival said : “Our aim is to bring the music of Elgar to everyone; and what better way to do this than continue to introduce extra added value initiatives.  We are delighted to announce these new additions and look forward to welcoming you all to what looks set to be our best ever festival yet!”

Other highlights for 2024 include:

• At the heart of the Festival is the Gala Concert by the English Symphony Orchestra at Worcester Cathedral on Saturday 1 June at 7.30pm featuring Elgar’s deeply personal Violin Concerto;
• The annual Elgar’s Strings by the English String Orchestra concert at Worcester Guildhall;
• Late night Club Elgar concerts featuring jazz, world music, blues and more with some of the UK’s most interesting musicians;
• Throughout the Festival, The Guildhall in Worcester, will have an exhibition on display of Elgar memorabilia on loan from prestigious private collections;
• The Elgar for Everyone Family Concert featuring over 100 young musicians, hosted by Julian Lloyd Webber and Esther Abrami.

Since it began in 2018 – lauded as ‘Critic’s Pick’ in both The Guardian and The Times – the Festival has doubled in size and scale and championed Sir Edward to as wide an audience as possible.

For a full list of events, costs and booking information, please visit www.elgarfestival.org.  Tickets are now on sale.

GoFundMe Campaign

Like many arts-based charities, the Elgar Festival is raising money to help deliver its 2024 iteration. Donations help towards costs for Relaxed concerts, artist’s fees and instrument and venue hire, and help to keep the free events free for all. Further details can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/elgar-festival-2024