Although the change of ownership brings a change of name, the Elgar Society Edition will seek to emulate Novello's Elgar Complete Edition in all essential respects, down to the red imitation leather binding with gold blocking. Volumes will come with detailed explanatory notes as found in the later volumes published by Novello. The aim is to publish an average of two new volumes a year, beginning with volume 25 (The Wand of Youth suites and Dream Children), in preparation when Novello withdrew from the Edition and now published by the Elgar Society Edition on 19 October 2001. A further eight volumes are in preparation for publication from Spring 2003 onward. This should see the completion of a full uniform edition, in line with Novello's original scheme, in about 15 years.

By offering a range of funding and purchasing options, we aim to establish a broader market for the Society Edition than was previously possible. We also recognise that many will wish to purchase volumes previously published in the Complete Edition, and we will be offering these for sale to subscribers on similarly advantageous terms while stocks last. All new volumes will be published in hardback only which our favourable terms will allow to be purchased at a similar price to that previously charged for softback copies. Some published volumes, notably The Dream of Gerontius, will benefit from re-editing as a result of subsequent research, and it is therefore the intention to republish these volumes in due course. We shall also consider reprinting other volumes as existing stock runs out. And while the red hardback complete scores will remain at the heart of The Elgar Society Edition, we hope in due course to offer volumes in electronic formats such as CD-ROM and DVD to bring Elgar's music to a wider audience.

Volumes such as these, requiring careful academic research, attention to detail and the finest production values, are not cheap to produce yet, in line with the Elgar Society's charitable objectives, we wish to offer them at prices that place them within reach of the widest possible readership. We are therefore offering a variety of payment options that will allow those willing to commit themselves to purchasing in advance of publication to obtain significant savings on the full publication price. These we describe on another page.

If you wish to subscribe to the Elgar Society Edition, are willing to provide more substantial financial help or simply wish to register your support for the project and receive further information as we progress, please complete and return the on-line or postal Subscription Form.

• Dr Robert Anderson
• Frank Beck
• Leslie East
• Howard Friend
• Paul Grafton
• David Lloyd-Jones
• The Hon. Mrs Lyle
• Michael Messenger OBE
• David Morris
• The Rt Hon Paul Murphy, MP
• Andrew Neill
• Professor Julian Rushton

Return to :