Concert by The Elgar Sinfonia of London

Three British Greats

Presented by: The Elgar Sinfonia of London

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0	LONDON: St Andrew's Church
P	Sunday 23rd November, 2025
N	4:00pm

Event information

An Introduction.

Our programme brings to you three works from our three great British Composers. However, in themselves they are not so often performed in the concert hall however much they are appreciated on recordings. The live playing of these works is what makes our concerts special.

Elgar’s Cello Concerto is one of his popular works but the great Viola player Tertis begged with success Elgar’s approval to perform it on the Viola. For a change we have decided to play it in this form, it getting a very rare outing. The music is the same; the lighter timbre of the viola will reveal different beauties!

Vaughan Williams called his Third Symphony ‘Pastoral’ and whilst it has at times a very tranquil air the work really brings out the deep sadness of his experience as an ambulance driver near the front lines in WW 1. It is never a ‘showy’ piece, never really having a fast pace but it’s eloquence is extraordinary.

Holst taught for many years at St Paul’s Girls School in Brook Green a quieter part of the Hammersmith that he knew so well. The work is at times profoundly sinister depicting the River Thames that dominates the borough but Hammersmith’s diversity and bustling life, sometimes raucous gives us a virtuoso work of great contrast for its twelve minutes.

This concert will bring much joy reflection and interest to many in works that are masterpieces but rarely heard in live performance.

Adrian Brown