London Branch

  • Introduction

    Founded in 1971, London was the Elgar Society's first regional branch. It remains the largest, with over 300 members, mostly from London and the Home Counties, but some from as far away as Australia.

    Unless stated otherwise, meetings are held at Queen's College,
    43-49 Harley Street, London W1G 8BT, beginning at 7.30 p.m.       


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    The nearest Underground stations are Oxford Circus and Bond Street

    There is a public car park nearby and street parking is possible after 6.30 p.m.
    Please remember that the area is within the congestion charge zone.
     

    PROGRAMME 2012-2013 


    Monday 1 October 2012, 7.30 p.m.

    The Music Makers - a notable centenary : Donald Hunt

    The first performance of The Music Makers took place on 1st October 1912. Donald Hunt discusses its importance in Elgar's corpus of choral music, its challenges and its unwarranted criticisms, together with musical illustrations; and there is also another significant choral centenary to mention. Dr Hunt is well known for conducting Elgar’s music and for his long association with the Three Choirs Festival.


    Monday 5 November 2012, 7.30 p.m.

    Impressions of Dame Ethel Smyth : Peter Avis

    An almost exact contemporary of Edward Elgar, Ethel Smyth was, however, never destined to be his musical colleague or soul-mate; indeed, she had some rather harsh things to say about him! Nonetheless, she was a prolific composer, an intrepid haranguer of conductors she thought ought to perform her works, a suffragette and, in her later years, when deafness had made music making almost impossible, a prolific auto-biographer.

    Please note that this meeting will take place at Queen's College Preparatory School, 61 Portland Place, London, W1 1QB.
    The nearest underground stations are Great Portland Street and Regent's Park.

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    Monday 3 December 2012, 7.30 p.m.

    A conversation with Anthony Payne

    Anthony Payne is well known for his completions of music by Elgar, most notably the Third Symphony. He will speak about the influence of Elgar on his career and introduce some of his own compositions. In addition to composing, he writes and lectures about music and is involved with many musical organisations.


    Monday 4 February 2013, 7.30 p.m.

    Singing Gerontius : Justin Lavender

    Justin Lavender's career in opera and on the concert stage has included many performances of The Dream of Gerontius. His recording of the part with the CBSO was critically acclaimed, and he is ideally placed to speak of the challenges and rewards for singers in Elgar's music.

    Please note that this meeting will take place at Queen's College Preparatory School, 61 Portland Place, London, W1 1QB.
    The nearest underground stations are Great Portland Street and Regent's Park.


    Monday 4 March 2013, 7.30 p.m.

    The orchestra in Elgar’s time : Raymond Holden

    Using film footage and sound recordings of the period, Dr Raymond Holden explores the fascinating world of orchestral life during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.  Raymond Holden has conducted the Philharmonia Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Emilia Romagna, the Danish Radio Orchestra and the New Symphony Orchestra of London, has been published by Oxford, Cambridge and Yale University Presses and has spoken at many of the world’s leading universities and conservatoires. Currently, he is The Sir John Barbirolli Lecturer in Music at the Royal Academy of Music, London.


    Monday 8 April 2013, 7.30 p.m.

    Elgar and the trombone : Sue Addison

    Elgar took up the trombone in 1900, possibly with more enthusiasm than expertise. Sue Addison, trombonist with the OAE and Professor at the RCM, traces his trombone's journey from Elgar's possession to the RCM. Using Elgar's own instrument, she will outline the history of the trombone and talk about Elgar's music from a brass player's point of view.


    Monday 13 May 2013, 7.30 p.m.

    Lawrance Collingwood : Malcolm Walker

    Lawrance Collingwood was closely associated with Elgar's recordings from 1926 until 1933 and conducted the last recording with which the composer was associated. He was employed by HMV, later EMI, as a recording supervisor from 1926 until 1959. He also conducted the famous Miniature Elgar recording in 1964. Malcolm Walker who later interviewed the musician and has had access to his diaries, explores Collingwood's career. Malcolm Walker has worked for The Gramophone and EMI for over 50 years, currently as Consultant Discographer to the latter.

    Please note that this meeting will take place at Queen's College Preparatory School, 61 Portland Place, London, W1 1QB.
    The nearest underground stations are Great Portland Street and Regent's Park.


    Monday 10 June 2013, 7.30 p.m. St. George’s Church, Hanover Square, W1S 1FX‎

    Violin & piano recital and AGM : Madeleine Mitchell & Wendy Hiscocks

    The programme will include Elgar's Violin Sonata, Chanson de Matin, Chanson de Nuit and Salut d’Amour.

    Madeleine Mitchell has performed as a soloist in over 40 countries, often performing and broadcasting the Elgar Violin Sonata and other short pieces as well as the Violin Concerto and has made several acclaimed CDs of British music. Her talk about Elgar and the violin will include her association with Hugh Bean and Yehudi Menuhin who was the Founder Patron of her Red Violin festival. Wendy Hiscocks, the composer-pianist, has collaborated with many performers and organisations, and last year accompanied Elgar’s Cello Concerto in Julian Lloyd Webber’s masterclass for London Branch.
    'Madeleine Mitchell is one of the UK's foremost violinists and liveliest musical forces'
    The Times

    The concert, at 8.15 p.m., will be preceded at 7.30 p.m. by the Branch AGM.
    Admission free - retiring collection.


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