You are currently viewing the Worcester site. Find your local Activ site click here »

Home >> community >> Edward Elgar Worcester Composer

Edward Elgar Worcester Composer

Add News

Sir Edward William Elgar

The famous English Composer , Edward Elgar, was born and lived in Worcestershire.
He was born in 1857 on June 2nd at Broadheath a few miles outside of Worcester to Ann & William Elgar. As the fourth of seven children and the son of a piano tuner and music dealer Edward grew up surrounded by Music. At the age of two his family moved to the city of Worcester where William had a music shop in the High Street. The young Elgar taught himself music theory using the vast amount of literature, sheet music and instruments at his disposal in his father's shop.

"....I saw and learnt a great deal about music from the stream of music that passed through my father's establishment. I read everything, played everything, and heard everything that I possibly could".

Coupled with his love of cycling in the surrounding countryside Elgar soon developed a strong association between music and nature which would later lead to some of the fantastic compositions for which he would become so well known. He is quoted as saying

"There is music in the air, music all around us, the world is full of it and you simply take as much as you require."

In 1886 Elgar met his future bride, (Caroline) Alice Roberts, she was 8 years his senior and of high society. As the daughter of a Major-General in Victorian times it was frowned upon that she should be engaged to a penniless composer and son of a shopkeeper but together Edward and Alice ignored the society rules of the time and were married on 8 May 1889 at Brompton Oratory.

Salut d'Amour a short violin & piano piece was Elgar's engagement present to his new fiancée


"Elgar is probably best known for the five Pomp and Circumstance Marches, composed between 1901 and 1930. Shortly after he composed the first march, Elgar set the trio melody to words by A. C. Benson in his Coronation Ode to mark the coronation of King Edward VII. The suggestion had already been made (allegedly by the future King himself) that words should be fitted to the broad tune which formed the trio section of this march. Against the advice of his friends, Elgar suggested that Benson furnish further words to allow him to include it in the new work. The result was Land of Hope and Glory, which formed the finale of the Ode and was also issued (with slightly different words) as a separate song. The work was immensely popular and is now considered an unofficial national anthem. At last, he had made the leap from accomplished back-country musician to England's foremost composer. It also gained Elgar the highest recognition he could have dreamed of-honorary degrees, a knighthood, special royal audiences, and a triumphal three-day festival of his music at Covent Garden attended by the King and Queen."(wikipedia)

For more information on Edward Elgar

Biography

Elgar Trail

Back to Activ Worcester Community


Comment about this Article


Search Activ Worcester
Sponsored Listings
Browse reviews by categories

See All >>

See All >>

Worcester Local Information
Most Popular Choices
Useful Information
;
Business Directory

Worcester Building & Construction | Worcester Business Opportunities | Worcester Business Services | Worcester Computers & Internet | Worcester Education | Worcester Employment | Worcester Entertainment | Worcester Financial and Legal | Worcester Food and Drink | Worcester Health and Beauty | Worcester Home and Garden | Worcester Manufacturing & Engineering | Worcester Media & Communication | Worcester Motoring | Worcester Public & Social Services | Worcester Shopping | Worcester Sports and Leisure | Worcester Travel & Transport | Worcester Weddings | Worcester Others |

Useful Links

PCs & Stationery | Mothers Day in Worcester | Worcester Christmas Fayre | Hereford & Worcester | Mothers Day in Worcester | Worcester Christmas Lights | Christmas Shopping in Worcester | Worcester Park | Jobs in Worcester | Worcester Bosch | Simon Rickett | Dillon Boivin

Worcester

A fun and interactiv guide to Worcester. What is Worcester really like?

Find Your Region or Town
Use the dropdown boxes below to find your local region and town and we'll not only find the nearest Activ website but we'll also show you information relevant to your choice.