Essential Elgar
"Quintessentially English" is how many listeners view Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934), probably due to the "pomp and circumstance" of the rousing Land of Hope and Glory chorus, part of the flag-waving climax of the Last Night of the Proms. But there was much more to this composer…
Read more…- Elgar • Pomp and Circumstance op. 39 • March No. 1 in D majorPomp and Circumstance op. 39
March No. 1 in D majorSir Andrew Davis, BBC Philharmonic2011, Salford, MediaCity UK - Elgar • In the South (Alassio), Concert Overture for Orchestra op. 50In the South (Alassio), Concert Overture for Orchestra op. 50Antonio Pappano, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa CeciliaMarch 2013, Rome, Auditorium Parco della Musica, Rome
- Elgar • Three Bavarian Dances op. 27a • 1. The DanceThree Bavarian Dances op. 27a
1. The DanceJames Judd, New Zealand Symphony OrchestraApril 2004, Wellington, Michael Fowler Centre Wellington - Elgar • Chanson de Nuit et Chanson de Matin op. 15 (Arr. for Violin and Orchestra) • 2. Chanson de MatinChanson de Nuit et Chanson de Matin op. 15 (Arr. for Violin and Orchestra)
2. Chanson de MatinTasmin Little (Violin), Sir Andrew Davis
BBC PhilharmonicMay 2013, Salford, MediaCity UK - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Theme. AndanteVariations on an Original Theme op. 36
Theme. AndanteSir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. I. L‘istesso tempo 'C.A.E.' (the composer‘s wife, Caroline Alice)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. I. L‘istesso tempo 'C.A.E.' (the composer‘s wife, Caroline Alice)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. II. Allegro 'H.D.S.-P.' (Hew David Stewart-Powell)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. II. Allegro 'H.D.S.-P.' (Hew David Stewart-Powell)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. III. Allegretto 'R.B.T.' (Richard Baxter Townshend)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. III. Allegretto 'R.B.T.' (Richard Baxter Townshend)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. IV. Allegro di molto 'W.M.B.' (William Meath Baker)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. IV. Allegro di molto 'W.M.B.' (William Meath Baker)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. V. Moderato 'R.P.A.' (Richard Penrose Arnold)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. V. Moderato 'R.P.A.' (Richard Penrose Arnold)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. VI. Andantino 'Ysobel' (Isabel Fitton)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. VI. Andantino 'Ysobel' (Isabel Fitton)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. VII. Presto 'Troyte' (Arthur Troyte Griffith)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. VII. Presto 'Troyte' (Arthur Troyte Griffith)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. VIII. Allegretto 'W.N.' (Winifred Norbury)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. VIII. Allegretto 'W.N.' (Winifred Norbury)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. IX. Adagio 'Nimrod' (August Johannes Jaeger)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. IX. Adagio 'Nimrod' (August Johannes Jaeger)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. X. Intermezzo: Allegretto 'Dorabella' (Dora Penny)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. X. Intermezzo: Allegretto 'Dorabella' (Dora Penny)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. XI. Allegro di molto 'G.R.S.' (George Robertson Sinclair)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. XI. Allegro di molto 'G.R.S.' (George Robertson Sinclair)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. XII. Andante 'B.G.N.' (Basil G. Nevinson)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. XII. Andante 'B.G.N.' (Basil G. Nevinson)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. XIII. Moderato 'Romanza' (Lady Mary Lygon)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. XIII. Moderato 'Romanza' (Lady Mary Lygon)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Variations on an Original Theme op. 36 “Enigma” • Var. XIV. Finale: Allegro 'E.D.U.' (the composer)Variations on an Original Theme op. 36
Var. XIV. Finale: Allegro 'E.D.U.' (the composer)Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker℗ 2002 - Elgar • Sea Pictures op. 37 • 1. Sea Slumber SongSea Pictures op. 37
1. Sea Slumber SongSarah Connolly (Mezzo-soprano), Sir Andrew Davis
BBC Symphony OrchestraApril 2014, Croydon, Fairfield Halls Croydon - Elgar • Sea Pictures op. 37 • 2. In Haven (Capri)Sea Pictures op. 37
2. In Haven (Capri)Sarah Connolly (Mezzo-soprano), Sir Andrew Davis
BBC Symphony OrchestraApril 2014, Croydon, Fairfield Halls Croydon - Elgar • Sea Pictures op. 37 • 3. Sabbath Morning at SeaSea Pictures op. 37
3. Sabbath Morning at SeaSarah Connolly (Mezzo-soprano), Sir Andrew Davis
BBC Symphony OrchestraApril 2014, Croydon, Fairfield Halls Croydon - Elgar • Sea Pictures op. 37 • 4. Where Corals LieSea Pictures op. 37
4. Where Corals LieSarah Connolly (Mezzo-soprano), Sir Andrew Davis
BBC Symphony OrchestraApril 2014, Croydon, Fairfield Halls Croydon - Elgar • Sea Pictures op. 37 • 5. The SwimmerSea Pictures op. 37
5. The SwimmerSarah Connolly (Mezzo-soprano), Sir Andrew Davis
BBC Symphony OrchestraApril 2014, Croydon, Fairfield Halls Croydon - Elgar • Cockaigne (In London Town), Overture op. 40Cockaigne (In London Town), Overture op. 40Sakari Oramo, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic OrchestraNovember 2013, Stockholm, Stockholm Concert Hall
- Elgar • The Dream of Gerontius op. 38 • Part 2 • 7. I go before my judge (The Soul of Gerontius, Chorus, The Angel)The Dream of Gerontius op. 38
Part 2 • 7. I go before my judge (The Soul of Gerontius, Chorus, The Angel)Paul Groves (Tenor), Sarah Connolly (Mezzo-soprano), John Relyea (Bass), Sir Colin Davis
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden2010, Dresden, Semperoper - Elgar • The Dream of Gerontius op. 38 • Part 2 • 8. Softly and gently, dearly-ransomed soul (The Angel, Chorus)The Dream of Gerontius op. 38
Part 2 • 8. Softly and gently, dearly-ransomed soul (The Angel, Chorus)Paul Groves (Tenor), Sarah Connolly (Mezzo-soprano), John Relyea (Bass), Sir Colin Davis
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden2010, Dresden, Semperoper - Elgar • Symphony No. 1 in A flat major op. 55 • I. Andante. Nobilmente e sempliceSymphony No. 1 in A flat major op. 55
I. Andante. Nobilmente e sempliceDaniel Barenboim, Staatskapelle Berlin℗ 2016 - Elgar • Symphony No. 1 in A flat major op. 55 • II. Allegro moltoSymphony No. 1 in A flat major op. 55
II. Allegro moltoDaniel Barenboim, Staatskapelle Berlin℗ 2016 - Elgar • Symphony No. 1 in A flat major op. 55 • III. AdagioSymphony No. 1 in A flat major op. 55
III. AdagioDaniel Barenboim, Staatskapelle Berlin℗ 2016 - Elgar • Symphony No. 1 in A flat major op. 55 • IV. Lento - AllegroSymphony No. 1 in A flat major op. 55
IV. Lento - AllegroDaniel Barenboim, Staatskapelle Berlin℗ 2016 - Elgar • Piano Quintet in A minor op. 84 • I. ModeratoPiano Quintet in A minor op. 84
I. ModeratoSorrel Quartet
Gina McCormack (Violin), Catherine Yates (Violin), Sarah-Jane Bradley (Viola), Helen Thatcher (Violoncello), Ian Brown (Piano)November 2000, Snape Maltings Concert Hall - Elgar • Piano Quintet in A minor op. 84 • II. AdagioPiano Quintet in A minor op. 84
II. AdagioSorrel Quartet
Gina McCormack (Violin), Catherine Yates (Violin), Sarah-Jane Bradley (Viola), Helen Thatcher (Violoncello), Ian Brown (Piano)November 2000, Snape Maltings Concert Hall - Elgar • Piano Quintet in A minor op. 84 • III. Andante - AllegroPiano Quintet in A minor op. 84
III. Andante - AllegroSorrel Quartet
Gina McCormack (Violin), Catherine Yates (Violin), Sarah-Jane Bradley (Viola), Helen Thatcher (Violoncello), Ian Brown (Piano)November 2000, Snape Maltings Concert Hall - Elgar • Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra in E minor op. 85 • I. Adagio - ModeratoConcerto for Violoncello and Orchestra in E minor op. 85
I. Adagio - ModeratoJean-Guihen Queyras (Violoncello), Jiří Bělohlávek
BBC Symphony OrchestraMay 2012, London, BBC Maida Vale Studios - Elgar • Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra in E minor op. 85 • II. Lento - Allegro moltoConcerto for Violoncello and Orchestra in E minor op. 85
II. Lento - Allegro moltoJean-Guihen Queyras (Violoncello), Jiří Bělohlávek
BBC Symphony OrchestraMay 2012, London, BBC Maida Vale Studios - Elgar • Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra in E minor op. 85 • III. AdagioConcerto for Violoncello and Orchestra in E minor op. 85
III. AdagioJean-Guihen Queyras (Violoncello), Jiří Bělohlávek
BBC Symphony OrchestraMay 2012, London, BBC Maida Vale Studios - Elgar • Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra in E minor op. 85 • IV. Allegro - Moderato - Allegro, ma non troppo - Poco più lento - AdagioConcerto for Violoncello and Orchestra in E minor op. 85
IV. Allegro - Moderato - Allegro, ma non troppo - Poco più lento - AdagioJean-Guihen Queyras (Violoncello), Jiří Bělohlávek
BBC Symphony OrchestraMay 2012, London, BBC Maida Vale Studios
Behind the tweeds and the handlebar moustache, Elgar was never that comfortable as an establishment figure of the British Empire. A prickly character, he often felt an outsider.
It's interesting to view his music through a European lens. An early work like In the South has all the thrust and sweep of Richard Strauss. Before the outbreak of the Great War, Elgar's music was arguably better received in Germany than at home. His publisher, AE Jaeger – immortalised as "Nimrod" in the Enigma Variations – was German and it was the great German conductor Hans Richter, about to tackle Elgar's First Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra, who announced: "Gentlemen, let us now rehearse the greatest symphony of modern times, written by the greatest modern composer – and not only in this country."
Much of Elgar's music is deeply personal. There’s a sense of nostalgia and loss in the Violin and Cello Concertos and the Piano Quintet, while each of the Enigma Variations depicts one of the composer's dear friends… plus Dan, the bulldog!
[Due to geo-blocking restrictions, some tracks might be unavailable in certain territories.]