Sir Edward Elgar

Sir Edward William Elgar was born on June 2, 1857 and died on February 23, 1934.  He was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos for violin and cello, and two symphonies. He also composed choral works, including The Dream of Gerontius, chamber music and songs. He was appointed Master of the King's Musick in 1924.


Selected Works

Orchestral

Froissart, concert overture, Op. 19 (1890)

Serenade for Strings, Op. 20 (1888 1892)

Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma), Op. 36 (1899)

includes Variation 9 Nimrod

Cockaigne (In London Town), concert overture, Op. 40 (1900 1901)

Pomp and Circumstance, five marches, all Op. 39 (1901 1930)

March No. 1 in D (1901) (The trio contains the tune known as Land of Hope and Glory)

In the South (Alassio), concert overture, Op. 50 (1903 1904)

Introduction and Allegro for strings (quartet and orchestra), Op. 47 (1904 05)

The Wand of Youth, suites Nos. 1 and 2, Opp. 1a/b (1867 71, rev. 1907/8)

Symphony No. 1 in A-flat, Op. 55 (1907 1908)

Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61 (1909 1910)

Romance for bassoon and orchestra, Op. 62 (1910)

Symphony No. 2 in E-flat, Op. 63 (1909 1911)

Falstaff, symphonic study, Op. 68 (1913)

Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 (1918 1919)

The Severn Suite, Op. 87 (1930) (for brass band, trans. for orchestra 1932)

Cantatas and Oratorios

The Black Knight, symphony/cantata for chorus and orchestra, Op. 25 (1889 1892)

The Light of Life (Lux Christi), oratorio for soprano, alto, tenor and bass soloists, chorus and orchestra, Op. 29 (1896)

Scenes From The Saga Of King Olaf, cantata for soprano, tenor and bass soloists, chorus and orchestra, Op. 30 (1896)

Caractacus, cantata for soprano, tenor, baritone and bass soloists, chorus and orchestra, Op. 35 (1897 1898)

The Dream of Gerontius, for mezzo-soprano, tenor and bass soloists, chorus and orchestra, Op. 38 (1899 1900)

The Apostles, oratorio for soprano, contralto, tenor and three bass soloists, chorus and orchestra, Op. 49 (1902 1903)

The Kingdom, oratorio for soprano, contralto, tenor and bass soloists, chorus and orchestra, Op. 51 (1901 1906)

The Music Makers, ode for contralto or mezzo-soprano soloist, chorus and orchestra, Op. 69 (1912)

Songs

"The Wind at Dawn", poem by C. Alice Roberts (1888)

Sea Pictures, (Sea Pictures: A Cycle of Five Songs for Contralto), Op. 37. (1897 1899)

"Land of Hope and Glory", words by Arthur Christopher Benson (1902)

Seven Lieder of Edward Elgar (1907)

Partsongs

"O Happy Eyes", SATB unacc., words by C. Alice Elgar, Op. 18 No.1 (1890)

"My Love Dwelt in a Northern Land", SATB unacc., words by Andrew Lang, dedicated to Rev. J. Hampton (1890)

"The Snow", SSA acc. 2 violins and piano, words by C. Alice Elgar, dedicated to Mrs. E. B. Fitton, Op. 26 No.1 (1894) (also with orchestral accompaniment, 1903, and various other combinations of voices SATB etc.)

"Go, Song of Mine", SSAATB unacc., words by Cavalcanti, tr. D. G. Rossetti, dedicated to Alfred H. Littleton, Op. 57 (1909)

"The Shower" and "The Fountain", SATB unacc., words by Henry Vaughan, Op. 71 Nos.1 and 2 (1914)

Sacred Music

Three motets: "Ave verum corpus", "Ave Maria" and "Ave Maris Stella", Op. 2 (1887)

Te Deum and Benedictus, Op. 34 (1897)

Chamber Music

Romance, violin and piano, Op. 1 (1878)

Salut d'Amour (Liebesgruss), violin and piano, Op. 12 (1888)

Chanson de Nuit and Chanson de Matin, violin and piano, Op. 15 Nos. 1 and 2 (1897/1899).

Violin Sonata in E minor, Op. 82 (1918)

String Quartet in E minor, Op. 83 (1918)

Piano Quintet in A minor, Op. 84 (1918 1919)

Keyboard

Organ Sonata in G, Op. 28

Concert Allegro, piano, Op. 46 (1901; unpublished)

Arrangements

J. S. Bach, Fantasia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 537, tr. for orchestra, Op. 86 (1921 1922)

Handel, Overture in D minor (Overture to Chandos Anthem "In the Lord put I my Trust", HWV247), tr. for orchestra (1923)