Composers' trombones played again

Trombones belonging to two of England's most famous composers are to be played again years after their owners' deaths.

The trombones, which belonged to Edward Elgar and Gustav Holst, are being restored at a small factory in Honley, West Yorkshire.

Elgar and Holst both died in 1934 and their instruments had been in a museum at the Royal College of Music.

To mark the 75th anniversary of their deaths a professional trombonist is recording with the instruments.

Trombonist Sue Addison specialises in playing historical music on authentic instruments of the age, and said the trombones were a pleasure to play.

"They allow you to play with lots of different colour, they just sing", she said.

She approached the Royal College of Music about loaning the instruments when she saw them in the museum.

She said: "They're not leaving my sight. They're very well insured and secured. They're little gems."

Brass specialist Michael Rath said restoring the instruments in his shop was the highlight of his career.

Years in a museum has left the trombones with "all sorts of horrible gunk inside them", he said.

Before becoming a music teacher and composer, Holst, who was from Cheltenham, had been a professional trombonist. He went on to write The Planets Suite.

Born near Worcester, Elgar is best known for the Pomp and Circumstance marches, which include Proms favourite Land of Hope and Glory.

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