With support from The Elgar Society and the Kay Trust, Somm Records have released a new recording of the music that Elgar wrote for the staff band at the Powick Asylum.

Conductor Barry Collett directs the Innovation Chamber Ensemble (members of the CBSO) in what is the first professional recording of this early music by Elgar. The new issue includes first recordings of music discovered since Barry’s earlier recording with the Rutland Sinfonia some quarter of a century ago.

The sessions took place in Birmingham in July 2013 and the CD officially launched in March 2014 at the Elgar Birthplace Museum, since when it has climbed to number 8 in the BPI’s specialist Classical Chart.

The CD can be purchased from the Elgar Birthplace Museum shop at http://www.elgarmuseum.org/index.php/the-elgar-shop