One of England's greatest composers, Sir Edward Elgar is known to millions through such much-loved works as the Cello Concerto and delightful miniatures like Salut d'Amour. Major public occasions are enhanced by the noble strains of Nimrod from the Enigma Variations, Elgar's musical portraits of his family and friends. The stirring Pomp and Circumstance March No 1, sung to the words "Land of Hope and Glory", is a highlight of the "Last Night of the Proms" and is played at graduation ceremonies from the United States of America to Japan. The composer's face is familiar too, since its appearance on the English £20 note.

Edward Elgar was born on 2 June 1857, at Broadheath near Worcester, where visitors are now welcome at the Birthplace Museum.

Elgar with two of his dogs, 1928.
Largely self-taught as a musician and with a provincial tradesman as a father, Elgar struggled to gain recognition for his exceptional musical gifts in class-conscious Victorian and Edwardian society. With the support of his devoted wife Alice, he followed his vocation to compose and found much inspiration in his beloved Worcestershire and Herefordshire countryside. Eventually his music became more widely appreciated, and his talents were rewarded with greater public recognition and honours including a baronetcy.

He died on 23 February 1934 in Worcester, and is buried in the graveyard of St Wulstan's Roman Catholic Church, Little Malvern.

Today his songs and symphonies, chamber music and concertos, and choral masterpieces such as The Dream of Gerontius are performed to international acclaim, in concert-halls and cathedrals, on broadcasts and recordings, all over the world.

For more information on his life and music, click Elgar Society Website