Sir Edward Elgar
Info
Broadheath, England
02/23/1934
Worcester, England
England
Romantic
Orchestral, Choral
Biography
Elgar was basically a self-taught violinist, and learned much in his father's music shop. He worked at the age of 16 as a local violinist, organist, bassoonist, conductor as well as a teacher. He first made a reputation with his choral works The Black Knight, King Olaf, The Light of Life, and Caractus. He later wrote The Dream of Geronitus and The Enigma Variations which made him internationally famous, yet he stayed in Worcestershire composing. He later moved with his wife in 1912 to London and achieved very little during the war except his Cello Concerto. Then after his wife's death in 1920 he composed almost nothing, but did spend time working with the new recording technology and became the first composer to conduct his own works in the recording studio. On his deathbed, Elgar forbade anyone to complete the surviving sketches for his last symphony.
Main Works
Orchestral:
Pomp and Circumstance No. 1
Overture: Cockaigne (In London Town)
The Dream of Geronitus
The Enigma Variations
Symphony No. 1 in A flat major
Symphony No. 2 in E flat major
Violin concerto in B minor
Cello Concerto in E Minor
Land of Hope and Glory.
Choral:
The Black Knight
King Olaf
The Light of Life
Caractus
