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For 50 years, The Elgar Society has worked to increase interest in this enigmatic and still
often misunderstood artist - the greatest British musician since Purcell. There are now 1,500
members worldwide. There are also meetings organised by the branches of the society.
The Thames Valley Branch has formed in 1998 and meets in Thame. Ideal for
those who want to meet and chat with enthusiasm in a friendly gathering. Join us! Enthuse to
someone about the music you love and know that you will not be regarded as the least bit
odd!
But, we hope, we will not only meet to chat. Outside London, Oxford has perhaps more live
music than anywhere else in the country. Whenever we can our events will centre round live
performances. Sometimes these will be major musical events; sometimes they will be
performances of small scale works by local performers of high quality; eventually we hope to
sponsor performances from local forces.
New members can join the society through this new branch. There will not only be the local
meetings we organise within the Thames Valley but all the facilities of the flourishing national
organisation.
Programme for 2007/2008
Meeting time and venue : Meetings are held on Tuesday evenings at the Barns
Centre, Church Road, Thame, starting at 7.30 pm unless stated otherwise, and finishing at 9.45 pm
to allow time for refreshments and conversation, and to allow more distant members a reasonably
early start home. Occasionally the branch meets at other venues, notably in Oxford and often in
association with concerts.
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Tuesday 25th September |
"Elgar and the Great War"
by John Edwards
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Elgar, like most of his contemporaries who did not actually fight in the 1914-18 war, was deeply affected by the
events of this period. He wrote music, now mostly forgotten, inspired by the war. The carnage of the war, followed soon
by the death of Lady Elgar, seemed to sap Elgar’s creative spirit. John Edwards offers a view of Elgar’s music from the
war years.
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Tuesday 13th November |
"Elgar's moustache, sex and the British Empire"
by Paul Harper-Scott
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The view once held of Elgar by the musical establishment, as an unthinking musical empire jingoist, has been largely
dismissed by later generations of music lovers. He was nevertheless a sincere patriot, and this can be heard in much of
his music. Paul Harper-Scott considers Elgar’s character in relation to his music, and advances the view that he liked
to pose as a typical “English gentleman”.
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Tuesday 11th December |
"Christmas Event"
with Video, Christmas fare and wine
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For the Branch’s Christmas event we consider what is probably Elgar’s most characteristic work [no pun intended!] -
The Variations on an Original Theme [“Enigma”]. We shall be playing a DVD in which Sir Andrew Davis, a renowned Elgarian,
talks about his favourite variations, and concludes with a performance of the complete work recorded in Worcester
Cathedral.
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Tuesday 12th February |
"Elgar and Bantock"
by Lewis Foreman
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Sir Granville Bantock (1868 -1946) was born into a higher social class than Elgar, but like him, had to work to
earn his place in the musical world of Victorian and Edwardian Britain [Bantock was born in Scotland]. After
languishing in obscurity during and since his life, his music is beginning to win new admirers again, largely through
the magnificent CD recordings made by Vernon Handley. Mr Foreman is well qualified to compare and contrast these
outstanding British musicians.
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Tuesday 1st April |
"The lesser-known Elgar"
by Barry Collett
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Barry Collett’s reminiscences of founding a new orchestra, the Rutland Sinfonia, and as a conductor of Elgar’s
music were greatly enjoyed by Branch members when he spoke to us last year. He will speak about the works of Elgar
which remain little known and played, having probably done more than any British musician to ensure that these works
are performed and recorded.
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Tuesday 10th June |
"At of near the helm"
by Andrew Neill
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Andrew Neill retires from the Chairmanship of The Elgar Society at the 2008 AGM, after a period of distinguished
service to the Society. This has culminated in the intense activities of Elgar’s 150th Anniversary. Andrew reflects on
30 years involvement as an officer of the Society. The meeting will commence with the 2008 Annual General Meeting of
the Branch
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Click here for a map showing how to get to the Barns
Centre, Thame.
For further information, contact :
The chairman or secretary at the addresses and telephone numbers given above.
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