A RARE letter written by Worcestershire composer Sir Edward Elgar goes under the hammer at Ludlow racecourse tomorrow.

The letter - which highlights his ambitions to write a popular funeral march to be used in churches up and down the land - was written to his publishers Novellos in 1902 after he had been asked to write some music for W B Yeats' play Grania and Diamid.

Documents expert Richard Westwood-Brookes at auctioneers Mullock Madeley who will sell the letter, said: "In the letter Elgar says 'please see suggested title - I think it will be well to put Funeral March rather prominently in view of its separate use for solemn occasions...'

"Elgar was clearly hoping that the march would be taken up by churches and cathedrals up and down the land as an alternative to the standard funerals music.

"Throughout his life he was always seeking lucrative opportunities to exploit the commercial potential of his music, and this particular project was most ingenious.

"As it happened the play did not last very long, and without the benefit of modern day radio and television performances of his funeral march, the music lay forgotten until modern times.

"So the opportunity for royalties from thousands of funeral services in country churches was denied."

The letter is one of a group of other Elgar letters, one of which was written to A J Jaeger, whom Elgar immortalised as Nimrod in his Enigma Variations.

Also in the sale is a fine printed score for Elgar's 'Dream of Gerontius' which he has signed and dedicated to the greatest soprano of her day, Dame Emma Albani.

Further information is available from the auctioneers on 01694 771771.

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