Tag: Elgar Festival

We’re delighted to welcome renowned presenter, composer and author Zeb Soanes from Classic FM who will be both hosting and narrating the story of everyone’s favourite bear in Paddington Bear’s First Concert! The concert also includes the winning performances of the festival’s 2025 Young Composers Competition. An uplifting event not to be missed.

In addition to playing bassoon in a woodwind quintet (two flutes, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon) with his brother Frank, the young Edward Elgar wrote seven pieces of “Harmony Music” beginning in 1878, seven years before the publication of his Opus 1. The players for whom Elgar wrote the quintets were his young friends, who met regularly for music on Sunday afternoons in a garden shed behind his father’s shop.

An hour-long concert full of beautiful music. These relaxed performances are particularly suited to those living with dementia and other similar health conditions, adults and children with additional learning needs, their carers and anybody who wishes to experience classical music in a relaxed and informal environment.

Following the success of our last Come and Play event, we’re once more welcoming amateur musicians from all over the country for a day of rehearsals and an informal performance. This year it’s the turn of Elgar’s 1st Symphony, full of incredible melodies and breathtaking drama.

Come and Play welcomes musicians of all ages to experience the joys and challenges of Elgar’s symphonic writing in an enjoyable and relaxed environment. English Symphony Orchestra musicians will be on hand to give coaching and encouragement throughout the day.

Directed by the ESO’s associate conductor Joe Davies, the day culminates in an informal play through for family and friends at 4pm.

Join us for an enchanting evening celebrating music for wooing. From the ancient days of the romantic guitarist serenading the object of their affections from below the garden window, music has long been one of our favourite nocturnal pastimes. Join the musicians of the English Symphony Orchestra for an evening of more than just a little night music, with romances and serenades by Elgar, Mozart and Coleridge-Taylor.