Elgar: An Anniversary Portrait
"Too frequently a multi-author work on a composer obscures rather than illuminates its subject.  This volume casts a genuinely prismatic light upon it."
R.J. Stove, The New Criterion

"An Anniversary Portrait succeeds in offering a sufficient yet panoramic view of Elgar's life and music. The impressive list of authors and concise nature of their contributions make this book an easily digestible and enjoyable read."
Muso


Edward Elgar was a man of many contradictions. He was born an outsider, into a family of lower-middle class, Catholic, origins.  Yet his fame, and ability to write music that struck a chord in the national consciousness, led him to adopt a sycophantic attitude towards the Royal Family and high society, even though he always felt ill at ease with them.  Elgar was a depressive with a problematic marriage, who craved recognition, but in many ways he regretted the piece of music which made him famous. 'Pomp and Circumstance' made him the leading English composer of his age, but also contributed to the jingoism which he so disliked during the First World War.

Yet, unquestionably, he was the greatest musical genius that England had produced in centuries.  This Portrait, by some of the scholars and musicians that understand him best, offers new light on a wide range of aspects of Edward Elgar's life and work.

1111702504
Elgar: An Anniversary Portrait
"Too frequently a multi-author work on a composer obscures rather than illuminates its subject.  This volume casts a genuinely prismatic light upon it."
R.J. Stove, The New Criterion

"An Anniversary Portrait succeeds in offering a sufficient yet panoramic view of Elgar's life and music. The impressive list of authors and concise nature of their contributions make this book an easily digestible and enjoyable read."
Muso


Edward Elgar was a man of many contradictions. He was born an outsider, into a family of lower-middle class, Catholic, origins.  Yet his fame, and ability to write music that struck a chord in the national consciousness, led him to adopt a sycophantic attitude towards the Royal Family and high society, even though he always felt ill at ease with them.  Elgar was a depressive with a problematic marriage, who craved recognition, but in many ways he regretted the piece of music which made him famous. 'Pomp and Circumstance' made him the leading English composer of his age, but also contributed to the jingoism which he so disliked during the First World War.

Yet, unquestionably, he was the greatest musical genius that England had produced in centuries.  This Portrait, by some of the scholars and musicians that understand him best, offers new light on a wide range of aspects of Edward Elgar's life and work.

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Elgar: An Anniversary Portrait

Elgar: An Anniversary Portrait

Elgar: An Anniversary Portrait

Elgar: An Anniversary Portrait

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Overview

"Too frequently a multi-author work on a composer obscures rather than illuminates its subject.  This volume casts a genuinely prismatic light upon it."
R.J. Stove, The New Criterion

"An Anniversary Portrait succeeds in offering a sufficient yet panoramic view of Elgar's life and music. The impressive list of authors and concise nature of their contributions make this book an easily digestible and enjoyable read."
Muso


Edward Elgar was a man of many contradictions. He was born an outsider, into a family of lower-middle class, Catholic, origins.  Yet his fame, and ability to write music that struck a chord in the national consciousness, led him to adopt a sycophantic attitude towards the Royal Family and high society, even though he always felt ill at ease with them.  Elgar was a depressive with a problematic marriage, who craved recognition, but in many ways he regretted the piece of music which made him famous. 'Pomp and Circumstance' made him the leading English composer of his age, but also contributed to the jingoism which he so disliked during the First World War.

Yet, unquestionably, he was the greatest musical genius that England had produced in centuries.  This Portrait, by some of the scholars and musicians that understand him best, offers new light on a wide range of aspects of Edward Elgar's life and work.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781847065339
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 04/11/2008
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Nicholas Kenyon was Director of the Proms from 1996-2007. He was formerly head of Radio 3 and music critic for the Observer and the New Yorker. He is currently Managing Director of The Barbican in London.

Table of Contents

Introduction by Nicholas Kenyon Part 1: Elgar the ManOrchestrating his own life: Sir Edward Elgar as a historical personality - David Cannadine, Institute of Historical ResearchElgar's biography, Elgar's repute: themes and variations - Julian Rushton - Emeritus Professor of Music, University of LeedsA View from 1955 - Diana McVeaghElgar the Catholic - Stephen Hough Part 2: Elgar the ComposerElgar in Manuscript - Robert AndersonElgar the Composer - Christopher Kent, University of ReadingElgar the Progressive - Hans KellerElgar's Church Music - Adrian PartingtonA Sixth pomp and Circumstance March - Anthony Payne Part 3: Performing ElgarConducting Elgar - Mark Elder in conversation with Richard MorrisonThe Role of the Angel in the Dream of Gerontius - Janet BakerSir Edward Elgar: My Musical Grandfather - Yehudi MenhuinThe Violin Concerto - Tasmin LittleThe Cello Concerto: Jacqueline du Pré's Recordings - Andrew Keener Part 4: The LegacyAn Honoured Trust: The Elgar Foundation and the Birthplace Museum - Michael Messenger Index

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