THE Elgar Birthplace Museum has leapt to the defence of Worcestershire's famous composer after his work was rubbished by a music critic.

Just weeks before the county celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Edward Elgar, a scathing attack by critic Norman Lebrecht has been published in a national paper.

In it he dismissed some of the masterpieces left behind by the composer as of "rather medium quality" and said: "Elgar is not a major figure in music history and we make a mockery of ourselves as a nation if we say that he is."

However, Chris Bennett, a supervisor at Elgar Birthplace Museum in Lower Broadheath, hit back at what he claimed was an old-fashioned view.

He said: "I think Norman Lebrecht sometimes gets carried away with himself.

"What he has said is an opinion people had a long time ago when Elgar had this image wrapped up with empire."

Mr Bennett believes nowadays most people recognise Elgar was a creative artist and that works like the Pomp and Circumstance March do not have to be associated with a particular era.

He said: "As time goes we can separate the artist and his work away from the time when he lived.

"In more recent years people can really look at his music as music and it's glorious and in many cases very passionate and sensitive music. "

Mr Bennett also criticised the timing of Mr Lebrecht's comments.

He said: "If you want to be controversial, if something's topical then that's the time to do it and you will get more of a reaction."

However, he said the museum had seen an increase in visitors as the anniversary approached and staff were all looking forward to celebrations this summer.

An Elgar festival is planned for the end of May and beginning of June with a concert in the Cathedral and a series of recitals at the museum.