Sound inspirations
Composers’ instruments
The Firs near Worcester
This haunting National Trust venue and birthplace of Elgar offers a re-telling of the composer’s life through authentic artefacts. The range of instruments on show include his first musical plaything – a child’s drum. nationaltrust.org.uk/the-firs
Holst Victorian House Cheltenham
Holst’s birthplace is re-imagined as it might have been in his youth – and contains the
Collard & Collard piano on which he composed the famous Planets suite. holstvictorianhouse.org.uk
Leith Hill Place near Dorking
The childhood home of Vaughan Williams, now owned by the National Trust, is magnificently located among the Surrey Hills. On display is the composer’s piano (as modelled by David Owen Norris, above). nationaltrust.org.uk/leithhill-place
The Red House Aldeburgh
Famously home to Britten and his partner, the celebrated tenor Peter Pears, the house contains the composer’s piano, and much else reflecting a haven joyously devoted to music and musicians. brittenpearsarts.org/visitus/the-red-house