Vaughan Williams' Wasps Overture provides a rousing and melodic start to this concert of English music. Frederick Stocken (composer of Lament for Bosnia) is a young composer in the 'classical' tradition. His new symphony was inspired by the artist Frederic Leighton and commissioned by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to celebrate the Millennium. Britten's highly evocative Four Sea Interludes are taken from his opera Peter Grimes and portray the different moods of the sea: at dawn, on a Sunday morning, in the moonlight and during a storm. Elgar's Enigma Variations originated from his own improvisations at the piano and grew into a work of great originality, energy and contrast. The instant success of the Variations finally gave Elgar the public recognition he deserved.| 21 Feb 00 | Royal Albert Hall Inner London, Greater London Performance Details => Venue archive |
