Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet, 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. Although Elgar is often regarded as a typically English composer, most of his musical influences were not from England but from continental Europe. He felt himself to be an outsider, not only musically, but socially.
About Edward Elgar
Classical concert musician remembered for "Enigma Variations" and "Pomp and Circumstance Marches." He pioneered the use of the gramophone.
Before Fame
He was a self-taught composer whose music was largely influenced by continental Europe rather than his native England. He was not successful until he was in his forties.
Achievement
He took music he wrote when he was 10 years old and rearranged and orchestrated it under the name "The Wand of Youth" 40 years after their composition.
Family Life
His father was a piano tuner in Worcester and also sold sheet music and instruments at a shop he opened. He married Caroline Alice Roberts in 1889.
Associations
His work was heavily influenced by Richard Wagner.
Information related to Edward Elgar
- Edward Elgar Category
- Dorabella Cipher - The Dorabella Cipher is an enciphered letter written by composer Edward Elgar to Dora Penny, which was accompanied by another dated July 14, 1897. Penny never deciphered it and its meaning remains unknown.
- John Alden Carpenter (a student of Elgar's in Rome in 1906).
- Musicians from Worcestershire
- London Symphony Orchestra principal conductors
- Masters of the Queen's Music
- Oratorio composers
- English Romantic composers
- Brass band composers
- Burials in Worcestershire
- People associated with Malvern, Worcestershire
- Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medallists
- Composers awarded knighthoods
- Commanders of the Order of the Crown (Belgium)
- Composers for pipe organ
- People of the Victorian era
- Members of the Order of Merit
- Classical composers of church music
- 19th-century conductors (music)
- English conductors (music)
- Academics of the University of Birmingham
- Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- 19th-century English musicians
- English male classical composers
- English classical composers
