EDWARD Elgar was England's greatest late romantic composer. His symphonies, the 'Enigma Variations' and oratorios made him the toast of Europe and America during his lifetime.

His ceremonial music, like the 'Pomp and Circumstance Marches', made him a national institution.

But there was a more troubled and less confident side to him which can be heard in his chamber music and concertos.

A newly-revised and extended book from Simon Mundy, who lives at Gladestry, explores his life from his background in a Worcester music shop to his final years as Master of the King's Musick and the first composer to make recordings of all his major work.

It is published by Omnibus Press.