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The Roots of an Enigma

Donald Macleod follows Elgar from birth to the brink of his first acknowledged masterpiece.

Celebrating British Music: Donald Macleod explores the life and work of the 'quintessentially English' composer, Edward Elgar, whose musical roots lay firmly in Europe, and whose Catholicism and class background bequeathed him a lifelong sense of isolation from mainstream British society.

Today's programme follows Elgar from birth to the brink of his first acknowledged masterpiece via unrequited love, wind quintets written for performance in the family shed, a spell as music director at a lunatic asylum, marriage, early recognition, the advent of 'Nimrod' (August Jaeger), and the first glimmerings of success beyond the confines of his native Worcestershire.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 17 Jun 2013 18:30

Music Played

  • Edward Elgar

    Sevillana, Op. 7

    Performer: Northern Sinfonia of England Conductor: Neville Marriner

    • EMI 5 65593 2.
    • 13.
  • Edward Elgar

    5 Intermezzos for wind quintet: No. 1 'Nancy'

    Performers ;Athena Ensemble: Richard McNicol (flute), Sebastian Bell (flute), David Theodore (oboe), Roger Fallows (clarinet), Robert Jordan (bassoon),

    • Chandos CHAN 241-33.
    • 5.
  • Edward Elgar

    5 Intermezzos for wind quintet: No. 2 'Mrs and Miss Howell'

    Performers ;Athena Ensemble: Richard McNicol (flute), Sebastian Bell (flute), David Theodore (oboe), Roger Fallows (clarinet), Robert Jordan (bassoon),

    • Chandos CHAN 241-33.
    • 6.
  • Edward Elgar

    5 Intermezzos for wind quintet: No. 4

    Performers ;Athena Ensemble: Richard McNicol (flute), Sebastian Bell (flute), David Theodore (oboe), Roger Fallows (clarinet), Robert Jordan (bassoon),

    • Chandos CHAN 241-33.
    • 8.
  • Edward Elgar

    Froissart, Op. 19

    Performer: New Philharmonia Orchestra Conductor: John Barbirolli

    • EMI CDM 5 66323 2.
    • 1.
  • Edward Elgar

    La capricieuse, Op. 17

    Performer: Arthur Grumiaux (violin) Performer: Istvan Hajdu (piano)

    • Philips 422 283-2.
    • 13.
  • Edward Elgar

    Imperial March, Op. 32

    Performer: ´óÏó´«Ã½ Philharmonic Performer: Andrew Davis (conductor)

    • Chandos CHAN 10570 (2).
    • 20.
  • Edward Elgar

    Caractacus, Op. 35 - Scene 4: The Malvern Hills

    Performer: Judith Howarth (soprano – Eigen) Performer:David Wilson-Johnson (baritone – Caractacus) Performer:London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Conductor: Richard Hickox

    • Chandos CHAN 9156/7.
  • Edward Elgar

    5 Intermezzos for wind quintet: No. 4

    Performers ;Athena Ensemble: Richard McNicol (flute), Sebastian Bell (flute), David Theodore (oboe), Roger Fallows (clarinet), Robert Jordan (bassoon),

    • Chandos CHAN 241-33.
    • 8.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 17 Jun 2013 12:00
  • Mon 17 Jun 2013 18:30

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