Long Lost Elgar Manuscript Rediscovered

Carillon Tower and Swan Sculpture, Queens Park, Loughborough

A UNIQUE piece of Edward Elgar’s musical legacy has been re-discovered by staff at Charnwood Borough Council - as they tidied a secure strong room.

Democratic Service officers were clearing out old files when they stumbled across a dusty anonymous looking folder.

But upon closer inspection, they were stunned to find it contained the original hand-written score for “Carillon Chimes”, a piece of music composed by Elgar especially for the opening of the Carillon Tower in Queen’s Park, Loughborough, on July 22, 1923.

Also discovered was a number of letters penned by the world famous composer and an old-style film reel which is believed to be historic footage of the opening.

A note included with the film reel hints that the footage may possibly even accompanied by the sound of the bells in the tower ringing out Elgar’s composition at its first-ever public performance.

Councillor Paul Harley, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Leisure & Culture, said: “This is a vitally important piece of Charnwood’s history which has been tucked safely away for too long.

“I’m thrilled that this beautiful piece of work by one of Britain’s finest composers has been re-discovered, particularly in this Olympic year when the eyes of the world focus on all things British.

“We have had the manuscript and letters valued at £10,000 and we hope to have them on public display so their historical significance to Loughborough and Charnwood can be shared by everyone.”

The items were originally donated to the Council in the 1950s.

The film reel has been sent away for experts to examine. If it can be conserved and restored, it is hoped it can be digitised so the residents of modern-day Loughborough will be able to see and hear the echoes of Loughborough from 90 years ago.