Edward Elgar

Donald Macleod explores Edward Elgar’s music through the
locations that inspired him.


Worcester-born, with his roots in the beautiful English
countryside around Hereford and the Malverns yet drawn to the
bright lights of London, English composer Edward Elgar moved
house a lot. He lived in over 25 residences in his lifetime,
stayed with friends, travelled often for work and pleasure in the
UK, Europe and further afield, and had a number of second homes
he rented as retreats. This week we’re focusing on the locations
that were important to Elgar, and the places that inspired his
music. Following Elgar’s journeys, Donald takes us from home life
in the Midlands to country cottage holidays, summers in Europe
and as far afield as the Amazon.


Music featured: Pomp and Circumstance March, Op 39 No 1 in D
major Cockaigne (In London Town) Salut d'amour, Op 12 O Happy
Eyes, Op 18 No 1 The Dream of Gerontius, Op 38 Owls, an Epitaph,
Op 53 No 4 (Four Choral Songs) Enigma Variations, Op 36 Symphony
No 2 (3rd movement) String Quartet (2nd movement) Introduction
‘The woodland interlude’ (Caractacus) Sea Pictures, Op 37 Piano
Quintet, Op 84 (3rd movt - Andante – Allegro) Cello Concerto in E
minor, Op 85 (1st movement) In Smyrna Paris – Five Quadrilles
From the Bavarian Highlands, Op 27 Nos 3 - 6 In the South
(Alassio) Mina The Wand of Youth Suite No 1, Op 1a Organ Sonata
No 1 in G major, Op 28 (2nd movement) Severn Suite, Op 87 Lux
Aeterna (choral arrangement of Enigma Variations Op 36 Nimrod by
John Cameron)


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Amy Wheel for BBC Wales


For full tracklistings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Edward Elgar
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000754h


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z