WILLIAM Boughton founded the Malvern-based English Symphony Orchestra and for more than 25 years was its energy, conductor and inspiration.
He attracted a loyalty among fellow musicians and patrons and an audience of more than 100,000 to attend the concerts and relish the performances of the musicians he assembled to bring "English music" to Worcestershire.
From the ESO's inception in 1980, Elgar played an important part in the artistic life of the orchestra, not least in helping define its sound.
The orchestra's close relationship with Nimbus Records, based near Monmouth, began with a recording of Elgar's string orchestra music including the Introduction And Allegro, Serenade For Strings and the hauntingly beautiful Sospiri. This recording led to numerous invitations to appear nationally and internationally and helping to secure the ESO's place in British musical life.
In his own words: "In many ways Elgar epitomises the English - wishing to take their place on the world stage but withdrawing into the warmth and security of their home soil. Full of conflicting emotions - at one moment bold and adventurous the next shy and retiring. His life's struggle from country boy to fame and friend of the royalty, then returning to his roots is depicted in his works."
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