Prom 76 (8.9.12): Last Night of the Proms 2012

[Pabmusic]

Just an aside but is the Queen the only person now living who has seen Elgar? The young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, attended a recording session at Abbey Road in 1931. There surely cannot now be anyone else.

Certainly not anyone who might be said to have 'known' him. Even any child who was old enough to have a clear memory (like the young Princess Elizabeth was, though probably not her sister, who was also present) could not be said to have 'known' Elgar, only to have met him. There were some children (Graftons, I think) from his sister Pollie's side, but I've no idea who's still around, if any.

This is interesting: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obit...an-Atkins.html

By the way, the recording session for the Nursery Suite (which was also its first performance) was at the Kingsway Hall.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It wasn't the Queen who organised that crass pop concert for the Diamond Jubilee. It was her advisers.

[salymap]

I was four years old when Delius, Holst and Elgar died but I am glad I visited the Elgar Birthplace first in 1953, when the lady running it on her own knew the Elgar family and shared some wonderful stories with us.

Carice was visiting too, and although I only saw her drive away as we left it seemed another link. The house was full of letters and papers ready for Diana Mcveigh's book and we were allowed to peruse them.

The garden had rose bushes planted by, or in memory of, the friends featured in the Enigma Variations too. I loved the half finished puzzles and crosswords left on Elgar's desk.

[Prommer]

It wasn't the Queen who organised that crass pop concert for the Diamond Jubilee. It was her advisers.

Indeed, and having missed the first half, she then wore ear plugs!

Nevertheless, she put in an appearance (as I wish she would occasionally at the Proms - not sure she ever has?). It is therefore a good example of what she has to put up with (against her own tastes) in order to be our monarch - ie part and parcel of the job.

[PhilipT]

Nevertheless, she put in an appearance (as I wish she would occasionally at the Proms - not sure she ever has?).

She certainly has, more than once. On the last occasion that I recall the Hall put down a red carpet between the rail and the platform, and at the interval Nicholas Kenyon led her along the rail introducing the Promenaders. The late, great and much lamented Lesley Melliard kept a photo of her meeting with Her Majesty on her mantelpiece ever afterwards.

[salymap]

The Elgar Society would know if they have members who saw or 'met' Elgar. Fairly recently Peter Sargent gave a talk about being taken by his dad to see/meet Sir Edward. Sadly Peter died a few years ago though.