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Social Misfit

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Edward Elgar, who, despite being thought of by many as quintessentially British, always felt himself to be an outsider.

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Edward Elgar, who, despite being thought of by many as quintessentially British, always felt himself to be an outsider.

Elgar is the composer we turn to in times of national celebration, of pride (Pomp and Circumstance Marches) and of public grief (Nimrod). He mingled with royalty and was made a knight of the realm, seemingly a pillar of the Edwardian and early 20th-century British establishment. And yet, for most of his life he felt himself to be a misfit. This week of programmes explores some of the reasons for that sense of unbelonging.

In this first programme, Donald Macleod looks at Elgar's social background, how his humble beginnings as the son of a church organist, piano tuner and shopkeeper permeated through to his later life and affected his status as one of the nation's greatest composers.

Chanson du matin
Nigel Kennedy, violin
Peter Pettinger, piano

My love dwelt in a northern land
London Symphony Chorus
Vernon Handley, conductor

Serenade for Strings
I. Allegro piacevole
大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra
Edward Gardner, conductor

Sea Pictures
I. Sea Slumber Song II. In Haven (Capri) III. Sabbath Morning at Sea
Alice Coote, mezzo soprano
Halle Orchestra
Sir Mark Elder, conductor

Variations on an Original Theme 鈥淓nigma鈥
Var.7 (Troyte) 鈥 14 (Finale - EDU)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Vassily Petrenko, conductor

Producer: Graham Rogers

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 8 Jan 2024 12:00

Music Played

  • Edward Elgar

    Chanson de matin Op.15`2

    Performer: Nigel Kennedy. Performer: Peter Pettinger.
    • CHANDOS : CHAN-8380.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 6.
  • Edward Elgar

    3 Partsongs, Op 18, No 3, My love dwelt in a northern land

    Choir: London Symphony Chorus. Conductor: Vernon Handley.
    • HYPERION : CDA-67019.
    • HYPERION.
    • 3.
  • Edward Elgar

    Serenade for Strings Op 20, (1st mvt, Allegro piacevole)

    Orchestra: 大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Edward Gardner.
    • Chandos CHSA 5197.
    • Chandos.
    • 5.
  • Edward Elgar

    Sea Pictures, Op 37 (Nos 1 - 3)

    Singer: Alice Coote. Orchestra: Hall茅. Conductor: Sir Mark Elder.
    • HALLE CD HLL 7536.
    • HALLE.
    • 1.
  • Edward Elgar

    Variations on an Original Theme 'Enigma' Op 36 (Var. 7 - 14)

    Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Vasily Petrenko.
    • ONYX ONYX4205.
    • ONYX.
    • 12.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 31 Jan 2022 12:00
  • Mon 8 Jan 2024 12:00

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