‘Elgar in Performance,’ an Elgar Society scheme, is now providing financial and practical support for Elgar performances in 2013. The programme particularly benefits performances of works by Elgar that are seldom heard live, whether that’s because they have been unfairly neglected or whether the large performance forces required have been previously too difficult or costly to coordinate. These have tended to include choral works such as the Coronation Ode, Caractacus and Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf. 

As the anniversary of Falstaff’s 1913 premiere approaches, the society anticipates a number of applications to aid performances of this demanding work. In addition, between 2013 and 2018, the Elgar Society is particularly keen to encourage the performance of Elgar’s music written during the First World War, much of which is little known, to coincide with the war's centenary. Stephen Halls, chairman of the Elgar Society, believes that the music deserves a wider audience: ‘The outbreak of war affected Elgar profoundly,’ he said. ‘It endowed his music of the time with a remarkable emotional depth.’

 ‘Elgar in Performance’ welcomes applications from performers and organisations at both a professional and amateur level from the UK or overseas. Successful applicants receive up to £1000 of grant aid to cover performance costs and access to authorised scores and parts, as published in the Elgar Complete Edition, at a reduced cost. In addition, the chosen performers and organisations gain access to pre-performance publicity and a comprehensive library of programme notes through the Elgar Society. 

Applications for the ‘Elgar in Performance’ scheme can be made online, and although no deadline is set, the society states that early applications are likely to be most successful. 

Charlotte Parr