Elgar Howarth (1935 - 2025)

We are dedicating this concert to the work and life of Elgar Howarth, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

He first played with the London Sinfonietta and then became one of its regular conductors between 1970 and 2009. He had the complete trust of the musicians he conducted, guiding them through complex and technically difficult music with the understanding of a player and the insight of a composer, creating great interpretations of some of the most extraordinary music of the last 100 years. As a colleague he was modest, generous and kind. Everyone at the London Sinfonietta who worked with him will always remember him and we send our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Andrew Burke, Chief Executive & Artistic Director

The Sinfonietta played an immensely important role in Dad’s life, both as a trumpet player and as a conductor; they gave him his first opportunity to conduct, in fact. In addition, he made many of his closest musical friends through the group; people like Tony Payne, Sebastian Bell, Michael Vyner, Nick Snowman and David Atherton. It was, of course, the Sinfonietta’s dedication to performing contemporary music that most drew Dad to working with them; the group was in many respects his most special musical home. He was always proud of what the Sinfonietta represented and achieved and his part in that success. 

Patrick Howarth, son

Published: 2 Apr 2025