ELGAR'S 150th birthday celebrations got under way musically as Vernon Handley conducted the English Symphony Orch-estra in a beautiful performance of our great composer's Introduction and Allegro for Strings, Op.47.

Splendid strings ebbed and flowed, with effective rubato and surges of poetic expression.

Episodes of arresting solos were heard amidst the glorious string textures. Several other pieces were superbly epitomised by nostalgia of a childhood long gone.

Dream Children, Op.43 used much woodwind to characterise and there were delicate touches of charming romance.

Nursery Suite of seven movements included Aubade with gentle tuneful strings and woodwind, and occasional drums rolling.

The Serious Doll was notable for the florid flute solo and Dreaming Envoy's violin cadenza of double-stopping and wistful reverie was superb.

Serenade exuded lovely melody, from clarinet and oboe particularly, while tenuous threads of violins were suspended above low strings in Fairy Pipers.

Keith Rubach was soloist in Romance in D for Bassoon and Orchestra, Op.62, and conveyed the melodious music with aplomb.

Sospiri, Op.70 was a real gem as harp combined with strings as serenity pervaded in soulful song.

JILL HOPKINS