The English String Orchestra is Worcestershire based and was founded by William Boughton in 1978. It soon formed a reputation for performances of English music and made many recordings on the Nimbus label. For full orchestral repertoire, ESO grew to become the English Symphony Orchestra, based at the Malvern Theatres, which had recently expanded to accommodate them. Ever since then, "ESO" has served as an acronym with a dual meaning.
The Symphony Orchestra also made many recordings, once again particularly featuring the English repertoire. In the 1990s ESO played many times under the baton of Yehudi Menuhin. A particular highlight of this association was a tour of America, with Lord Menuhin playing the Bach Double Violin Concerto alongside Michael Bochmann, who is now the leader of the Orchestra.
Particular highlights of recent years include the promotion of two Elgar Festivals in 2004 and 2006. For the latter, ESO were joined by Vernon Handley, a most profound and persuasive advocate of British music, and "Tod" (as he was universally known) was appointed ESO's Principal Conductor later that year. Sadly, Dr Handley's health deteriorated and he died in September 2008. As yet, ESO has not sought to appoint another principal conductor, but have worked with conductors such as Donald Hunt, Adrian Partington, Paul Leddington Wright and Nicholas Cleobury.
At the end of its residency at Malvern Theatres, the ESO has since established itself as a musical organisation serving the wider community of the West Midlands. It runs a full concert programme that features performances by the Symphony and String Orchestras in a variety of locations around the Midlands. These often providing the only opportunity locally to hear live classical music by a professional orchestra.
The programme for the Three Choirs concert, fittingly, consists of English music, allowing a bit of leeway for Percy Grainger. Temps Perdu, by John Joubert, was commissioned by the orchestra (indeed his daughter plays the cello for the Orchestra). The programme will be directed by Michael Bochmann from the violin.
