THE Elgar Society's campaign for a complete edition of the works of the composer has been boosted with the publication of the first volume.

Performers, scholars, students and fans of the composer will be able to access Elgar's work, with detailed explanatory notes, under the new initiative.

A charitable trust has been formed to see the project through and will build on the work of publisher Novello, which produced 14 of a 43 volume series before suspending the project on economic grounds.

The trust aims to complete the series over the next 15 years and has published the first volume, featuring The Wand of Youth Suites and Dream Children. It was launched at St James' Palace, London, where a copy was handed to a representative of the Prince of Wales.

"Interest in Elgar is greater than it has ever been and we feel the climate is now right to make this edition a success," said trust chairman Andrew Neill.

The initiative has the support of Novello and the Associated Board of the Royals Schools of Music. The first volume costs £85, although there is a subscription scheme reducing this to £60. For details, contact The Elgar Society Edition, 2 Marriotts Close, Haddenham, Aylesbury, Bucks.