Elgar group selects its musician of the year

4:48pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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THE Elgar in Hereford group has met to select its musician of the year at the composer’s former city home – possibly for the last time.

Its adjudicators met at Plas Gwyn, Elgar’s former Hereford home, to make their decision before a possible change of venue next year.

Dr Joan Marsden, who is a member of the group, has decided to sell her apartment in the Hampton Park Road property, which contains the study where he worked on several notable works during his seven-and-a-half year stay in Hereford.

Her decision means next year’s competition could be decided away from his study, which is regularly visited by Elgar enthusiasts.

Dr Roy Massey, retiring chairman of the award group, said: “There was quite a feeling sitting there as a group in the room that had been Elgar’s study.

“During the years that he lived there he composed some of his finest music, so presumably he must have sat for many hours in that room writing music. “I hope whoever buys the place is a Elgar enthusiast. It would be nice if whoever lived there knew what it was all about.” Dr Massey, who was organist at Hereford Cathedral for 27 years, is retiring as chairman of the award group after a five year stint. He was also one of three conductors of the Three Choirs Festival and conducted the Hereford Choral Society.

“I have enjoyed it enormously. It has been lovely to see what has been going on musically in Hereford and the county. It’s been very encouraging to see the quality of the music.

“The nice thing about Hereford is the music is still wonderful and it is lovely to see everything thriving.” Elgar lived at Plas Gwyn between 1904 and late 1911. He wrote his choral work The Kingdom, two symphonies and his violin concerto during this period.

The group’s choice of musician will be made public on June 1 at an evening choral and orchestral concert at Leominster Priory.