Edward Elgar  (ELL-gar) hard “g” sound

Born June 2, 1857 in Broadheath, England

Died February 23, 1934

Nationality: English

Period/Style: Late Romantic/Early Modern

About the composer:

Edward Elgar was the first great English-born composer since George Frederick Handel had died in 1759.  Edward’s father was a piano tuner and owner of a small music shop. The family lived upstairs from the shop.  Except for a few music lessons from local teachers, Elgar taught himself how to play the organ, the bassoon and the violin. Whenever he spent time out in the English countryside, the beauty of nature inspired him to write music.

About the music:

Edward Elgar (later knighted by the Queen, to become “Sir Edward Elgar”) wrote five military marches for symphony orchestra called “Pomp and Circumstance.” Of the five, numbers one and four are the most popular today.

Pomp and Circumstance March #1, Op. 39 (6 min)

After a long, stately introduction, the piece settles into a familiar melody played softly at first by the clarinets and other woodwinds, and later by the whole orchestra.  It is a very regal-sounding march, one which we often hear played at graduation ceremonies.

Pomp and Circumstance March #4, Op. 39 (5 min)

This march is also ceremonial. The British people use it often for weddings and other official celebrations.  It begins brightly and happily, then settles down a bit into a somewhat quieter, more subdued section, and then ends much like it begins, with great flair!  It isn’t hard to imagine a royal wedding when you hear this music. In fact, it was used at the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, just as they were leaving St. Paul’s Cathedral after their wedding in July of 1981.

Suggested activities:

Since this music is so English-sounding, and so regal, make crowns (out of construction paper or card stock), and decorate them with bright colors, stickers, and anything else that sparkles!

Draw or paint a picture of a royal wedding, as you imagine it.