ANOTHER great fan of Elgar who helps make sure his work gets the hearing and status it deserves is Worcester-born Stephen Cleobury, director of music at King's College, Cambridge, in charge of its famous choir.

"During my student days in Cambridge I was lucky enough to be present in King's chapel when Benjamin Britten conducted the choir in Gerontius," he said.

"It always a privilege and joy to conduct works by Elgar."

Elgar's works were first performed at Cambridge in the early 1900s - the composer himself attended a performance of the Kingdom in 1907 - and Stephen ensures they are still heard today.