Organisers of the annual celebration of the life and music of Worcestershire’s most famous composer have announced three relaxed concerts for those living with dementia and other similar health conditions.
The free events will be held on:
- Tuesday 19 May at Great Malvern Priory, Church Street, Malvern at 11.00am, performed by DownsideUp String Duo, with Corinne Frost on cello and Stephen Warner on double bass;
- Thursday 21 May at St George’s Church in Barbourne, Worcester at 11.00am and again at 2.30pm at Pershore Abbey in Pershore, both performed by ESO Wind Quartet Catherine Handley on flute, Odette Cotton on oboe, Alison Lambert on clarinet and Rosie Cow on bassoon.
Kenneth Woods, Artistic Director of The Elgar Festival said: “These hour long concerts are bursting with beautiful music. They are particularly suited to those living with dementia and other similar health conditions, as well as adults and children with additional learning needs, their carers and anybody who wishes to experience classical music in a relaxed and informal environment.”
Set in the composer’s hometown and surrounding areas over the week closest to Elgar’s birthday on 2nd June – this year’s festival will take place from Saturday 23 May until Sunday 31 May – the festival is an annual celebration of Elgar’s music spanning symphonic and string orchestra concerts by the resident English Symphony Orchestra, along with chamber concerts, choral concerts, recitals, workshops, masterclasses, street performances, a young composers competition, exhibits, tours and talks.
Since its inauguration in 2018, when it was a Critic’s Pick in both The Guardian and The Times, the festival has doubled in size and scale and continues to grow annually through an innovative development programme of appealing and accessible events, working with hundreds of both internationally renowned professional artists and amateur musicians and performers of all ages to ensure Elgar really is for everyone.
DownsideUp is made up of duo Corinne Frost and Stephen Warner. They perform an ecletic mix of music for cello and double bass, alongside guitar, clapping, piano and voice. Invited by the National Trust, the duo were involved in the making of a DVD for people no longer able to access live music, such as those in care homes and hospices, filmed at Worcestershire’s Croome Court.
ESO Winds is part of the world renowned English Symphony Orchestra.
The music of the festival’s namesake will be the centrepiece of a busy programme of 27 events across 15 different venues with 3 pre-festival events including the relaxed concerts. The full breadth of Elgar’s work will be showcased, including songs, miniatures, chamber music and choral anthems alongside his most beloved orchestral masterpieces.
This year’s festival will bring together world-class professional musicians and artists alongside local choirs and ensembles placing the music of Worcester’s most famous son alongside that of his contemporaries and some of today’s leading composers and arrangers.
For further information and to book tickets please visit www.elgarfestival.org