EDWARD ELGAR (1857-1934): Andante and Allegro for String Trio*, Fugue in D Minor for Oboe and Violin, Duet for Trombone and Double Bass, Music for Powick Asylum: Menuetto*, Die junge Kokette - 5 Quadrilles, Maud - Polka, L'Assomoir - 5 Quadrilles, Nelly - Polka, La Brunette - 5 Quadrilles, La Blonde - Polka, The Valentine - 5 Lancers, Paris - 5 Quadrilles, Helcia - Polka, A Singing Quadrille - 5 Quadrilles*, Blumine - Polka.

Description: At 21, Elgar got a position as musical director at a lunatic asylum which involved writing music for and playing in a band made up of staff members and some of Elgar's local contacts. The music was theraputic, the inmates enjoying dancing to it during the weekly concerts. Needless to say, the music is written for competent amateurs and consists of mostly quadrilles; this recording uses the instrument group available to Elgar: seven violins, viola, cello, double bass, piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet, two cornets, euphonium doubling trombone, tuba and piano. Two of the non-Powick works were written for Elgar's brother and the other for the brother of the woman to whom he was engaged at the time. * - First Recordings. Innovation Chamber Ensemble (Players from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra); Barry Collett.