No Worcester website would be complete without a dedication to one her best known celebrities, Sir Edward Elgar. A national treasure and one of my favourite composers.

Edward Elgar was born on the 2nd of June 1857 in Broadheath, just outside of Worcester. His life started as any other middle class Victorians would and few then would have believed that by 1934, the time of his death, that he would have become one of the worlds most well known composers.

Elgar was a frustrated self-taught musician. He was a violin teacher for many years, at which time he met his future wife Alice, whom he tutored. They had an unconventional marriage as Edward was a Catholic and Alice, a protestant. When they married there was an age difference of 9 years (Alice being the eldest). Alice's father was so displeased by the whole idea, that he wrote both of them out his will in disgust.

Times were tough until Elgar tapped out the tune that was to become the opening theme for his Enigma Variations, completed in 1899. The Enigma Variations (14 movements in total) all start with the same familiar theme and each is an interpretation of the character of Elgar's closest friends and family including himself and his wife (movement C.A.E (Caroline Alice Elgar), Edwards beloved wife). The Enigma Variations are now one of the worlds most well known classical pieces along with Pomp and Circumstance (a regular feature at the Last Night of the Proms a the Albert Hall, although in my opinion, Elgar's music sounds best in its spiritual home of Worcester Cathedral).

Elgar was a fan of puzzles and mysteries and much of the meaning behind his music is shrouded in mystery. The Enigma variations are rumoured to have a secret 2nd theme incorporated into the opening theme. But as with many of the mysteries which Elgar left us, it was taken to the grave.

Elgar also enjoyed the outdoors. He spent much of his time walking his (and other peoples) dogs, of which one of his variations is about. He also enjoyed riding his bike, which he called Mr. Pheobus. It was his time outdoors, especially walking along the Malvern Hills, which inspired much of his music.

So there it is, a very brief account of a great local man and world renowned composer, a man who in his time went from rags to riches and was mixing with such celebrities as George Bernard Shaw by the time of his death. And yet he was a kind and proper gentleman whose dedication to his wife was unwavering.

As the years have passed, Elgar's music has remained as fresh and as popular as it was over 100 years ago. His familiar face, with that fabulous Victorian moustache has been printed on the back of the £20 note, thus putting a face to the name for many people.