This newly reduced orchestration of Elgar’s The Music Makers reimagines the original 1912 score for chamber orchestra, retaining its rich harmonic palette and lyrical sweep while making it accessible to smaller ensembles and more intimate venues.

Elgar’s original scoring calls for large forces, often putting this masterful ode beyond the reach of many choirs and orchestras. This version preserves the spirit and sonority of the original, using inventive doublings and colouristic detail to maintain orchestral depth with a reduced ensemble of single winds, brass, timpani, percussion, piano, and strings.

Suitable for professional, semi-professional, and advanced amateur performance, this reduction allows choirs greater flexibility in programming one of Elgar’s most personal and profound choral works.

The work was first performed by Brockham Choral and Southern Pro Musica, directed by Cole Bendall, in November 2024. Additional performances have been given by North London Chorus and are presently being arranged with other choirs in the UK and overseas.

Instrumentation
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, 2 Horns in F, Trumpet in Bb, Trombone, Timpani, Percussion (1 player: snare drum, triangle, bass drum, cymbals), piano, strings.

The score is adaptable up to single-string performance (with some adjustments to the parts to accommodate page turns). However, it is recommended for performance with a minimum of 22221 strings.

A perusal preview score is available via the contact form.

Hire Rates for 2025-2026 Season
£375 for PDF score and parts, and rights to one performance; £50 for subsequent performances in the same season.
£450 for printed score and parts, and rights to one performance; £50 for subsequent performances in the same season. Postage and packaging not included.

Please enquire for recording rights.

Hire Rates for 2026-2027 Season

£400 for PDF score and parts, and rights to one performance; £50 for subsequent performances in the same season.
£475 for printed score and parts, and rights to one performance; £50 for subsequent performances in the same season. Postage and packaging not included.

Please enquire for recording rights.