Our annual celebration of the unique and glorious tradition of British music for string orchestra, heard in the magnificent acoustic of Worcester Guildhall. Elgar’s lone String Quartet is a powerful example of Elgar’s mastery of the chamber music idiom, and his deep reverence for this most revered genre, particularly the legacy of Beethoven’s late string quartets. This version of the Quartet in its arrangement for full orchestra was heard at the inaugural Elgar Festival when David Matthews was the featured composer and has since been recorded by the English String Orchestra to international acclaim.
Tickets £17, to include a glass of wine/cash bar also available.
Friday 31st May at 7:00pm
Worcester Guildhall
High Street
Worcester WR1 2EY
Or call Worcester Theatres on 01905 611427.
English String Orchestra
Kenneth Woods, conductor
Soloists of the English Symphony Orchestra
Imogen Holst Variations on ‘Loth To Depart’
Steve Elcock Concerto Grosso (world premiere)
Sir Edward Elgar arr. David Matthews String Quartet
Elgar wrote no chamber music until near the end of his career, when the events of World War One made performances of new orchestral work almost impossible. But Elgar’s lone String Quartet is a powerful example of Elgar’s mastery of the chamber music idiom, and his deep reverence for this most revered genre, particularly the legacy of Beethoven’s late string quartets. This version of the Quartet in its version for full orchestra was heard at the inaugural Elgar Festival when David Matthews was the featured composer, and has since been recorded by the English String Orchestra to international acclaim.
Imogen Holst’s Variations are a beautiful addition to the string orchestra repertoire, but also a poignant example of what might have been had the talented female composers of her generation been given greater opportunities and encouragement.
While composers like Steve Elcock, David Matthews and their contemporaries have drawn international acclaim for the way in which they and their peers have reinvigorated the symphony as a genre, Elcock’s Concerto Grosso, heard here in the world premiere of the final/revised version, show’s Elcock’s ability to bring fresh vision, humour, mischief and profundity to other ancient musical forms. Elcock’s Concerto Grosso also offers an exceptional showcase for the talents of the ESO’s principal players.