Posted on 06/02/2007 8:11:41 AM PDT by Borges
Special performances are taking place to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of one of Britain's greatest composers, Sir Edward Elgar. Elgar, who was born near Worcester, is famous for a string of symphonies and concertos, with Land of Hope and Glory being among his best-known scores.
Julian Lloyd Webber is performing his Cello Concerto at Worcester Cathedral and later at the Royal Albert Hall.
Mr Lloyd Webber will be travelling between the two venues by helicopter.
It's a huge challenge to play such a emotional piece twice in one day and in two different locations
Julian Lloyd Webber
It is the first time the world-renowned cellist, brother of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, has performed at two separate locations with such restricted time constraints.
He said: "We do not have a huge number of inspirational great composers and of them, Elgar is the greatest so it's an important anniversary for Britain.
"It's a huge challenge to play such a emotional piece twice in one day and in two different locations."
In Worcester, Mr Lloyd Webber will be joined by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for a special gala anniversary celebration.
Married pupil
Elsewhere, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus is performing Elgar's three oratorios at Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
Elgar, who was born in Broadheath, a village three miles from Worcester, was largely a self-taught composer, and is said to have studied music manuscripts in the countryside on his own as a boy.
He grew up surrounded by music - his father, a tradesman, owned a music shop and was a piano tuner.
Elgar, who also taught the violin and played the organ, married one of his pupils, Caroline Alice Roberts, in 1889.
He died in 1934 - the same year as two other English composers - Gustav Holst and Frederick Delius.
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Dear Borges,
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sitetest
I love Elgar. May his very English music be long enjoyed!
Listening to Elgar now on WFMT in Chicago.
He should have cut it off and glued it on his forehead, LOL.
Leni
Check out his Quintet for Piano and Strings in A minor, written in 1917. We’re doing it this summer at the Seattle Chamber Music Festival.
Thanks for the ping. It’s amazing how little I know of Elgar’s music beyond Pomp and Circumstance. I guess I need some self-education.
Great composer of organ music as well. Happy birthday, Elgar.
BTW.I was there in 1971...it has to be experienced to be believed..
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