Born and brought up in the English countryside, Elgar never felt comfortable in London, the heart of the nation's musical life. Presented by Donald Macleod.

Elgar is the composer we turn to in times of national celebration, pride and public grief. He mingled with royalty and was made a knight of the realm, seemingly a pillar of the Edwardian and early 20th-century British establishment. And yet, for most of his life he felt himself to be a misfit, an outsider. This week of programmes explores some of the reasons for that sense of unbelonging.

Elgar was born and brought up in the Worcestershire countryside, and remained a country boy at heart for his whole life. He was drawn periodically to London, the centre of British musical life, but never felt comfortable there. Yet one of his best-loved works is a joyous celebration of the capital city.

The Wand of Youth Suite
I. Fairies and Giants
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
James Judd, conductor

Violin Concerto in B minor
I. Allegro
Hilary Hahn, violin
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Colin Davis, conductor

Piano Quintet in A minor
II. Adagio
Piers Lane, piano
Goldner Quartet

Cockaigne (In London Town) – Overture
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
Sakari Oramo, conductor

Producer: Graham Rogers Show less