Biography (read more)
Edward Elgar was an English composer of the late-Romantic period, born near Worcester and active for much of his career in the West Midlands and later in London and Sussex. Largely self-taught, he composed orchestral works, choral oratorios, chamber music, and songs, achieving his breakthrough with the Enigma Variations in 1899 and going on to write the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, a violin concerto, a cello concerto, and the oratorio The Dream of Gerontius. Knighted in 1904 and later appointed Master of the King’s Musick, he died in Worcester in 1934 following surgery that revealed inoperable colorectal cancer, at the age of 76.
Elgar is regarded as the pre-eminent English composer of his generation, the first since Purcell to achieve sustained international recognition. His music fell somewhat out of fashion after the First World War but underwent a significant revival from the 1960s onward, and works such as the Enigma Variations, the Cello Concerto, and the Pomp and Circumstance Marches remain cornerstones of the British concert repertoire. He was also an early and influential advocate for recording classical music on the gramophone.
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Repertoire
Violin Concerto Op.61: I. Allegro (Homage to Yehudi Menuhin)
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation I. C.A.E.— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation II. H.D.S-P.— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation III. R.B.T.— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation IV. W.M.B.— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation V. R.P.A.— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation VI. Ysobel— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation VII. Troyte— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation VIII. W.N.— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation IX. Nimrod— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation X. Dorabella— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation XI. G.R.S.— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation XII. B.G.N.— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation XIII. Romanza. ***— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation XIV. Finale. E.D.U.— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: Enigma. Andante— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: I. (C.A.E.). L’istesso tempo— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: II. (H.D.S-P.). Allegro— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: III. (R.B.T.). Allegretto— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: IV. (W.M.B.). Allegro di molto— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: V. (R.P.A.). Moderato— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: VI. (Ysobel.). Andantino— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: VII. (Troyte.). Presto— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: VIII. (W.N.). Allegretto— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: IX. (Nimrod.). Adagio— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: X. (Dorabella.) Intermezzo. Allegretto— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: XI. (G.R.S.). Allegro di molto— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: XII. (B.G.N.). Andante— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: XIII. Romanza (***). Moderato— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma”, Op. 36: XIV. Finale (E.D.U.). Allegro – Presto— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Theme. Andante— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 1. L’istesso tempo “C.A.E.”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 2. Allegro “H.D.S-P.”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 3. Allegretto “R.B.T.”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 4. Allegro di molto “W.M.B.”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 5. Moderato “R.P.A.”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 6. Andantino “Ysobel”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 7. Presto “Troyte”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 8. Allegretto “W.N.”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 9. Adagio “Nimrod”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 10. Intermezzo. Allegretto “Dorabella”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 11. Allegro di molto “G.R.S.”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 12. Andante “B.G.N.”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 13. Romanza. Moderato “* * *”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Var. 14. Finale. Allegro “E.D.U.”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Elgar: Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: I. Adagio – Moderato –— Steven Isserlis
Performed by Steven Isserlis
Elgar: Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: II. Lento – Allegro molto— Steven Isserlis
Performed by Steven Isserlis
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: I. Adagio – Moderato— Steven Isserlis
Performed by Steven Isserlis
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: II. Lento – Allegro molto— Steven Isserlis
Performed by Steven Isserlis
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: IV. Allegro – Allegro ma non troppo— Steven Isserlis
Performed by Steven Isserlis
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: IV. Allegro – Allegro ma non troppo— Jacqueline du Pré
Performed by Jacqueline du Pré
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: I. Adagio – Moderato— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: II. Lento – Allegro molto— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: IV. Allegro – Moderato – Allegro ma non troppo— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: I. Adagio – Moderato— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: II. Lento – Allegro molto— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: IV. Allegro – Moderato – Allegro, ma non troppo— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: IV. Allegro – Allegro ma non troppo— Gautier Capuçon
Performed by Gautier Capuçon
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: I. Adagio – Moderato – II. Lento – Allegro molto— Yo-Yo Ma
Performed by Yo-Yo Ma
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: IV. Allegro – Moderato – Allegro ma non troppo— Yo-Yo Ma
Performed by Yo-Yo Ma
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: IV. Allegro – Moderato – Allegro, ma non troppo— Yo-Yo Ma
Performed by Yo-Yo Ma
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. I: Jesu, Maria – I am near to death— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. I: So pray for me – Kyrie eleison – Holy Mary, pray for him— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. I: Rouse thee, my fainting soul— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. I: Sanctus fortis, Sanctus Deus— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. I: I can no more— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. I: Proficiscere, anima Christiana, de hoc mundo!— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: Introduction— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: I went to sleep— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: Another marvel – My work is done— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: It is a member of that family of wondrous beings— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: But Hark! – Low-born clods of brute earth— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: Dispossessed, aside thrust— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: I see not those false spirits— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: There was a mortal – Praise to the Holiest in the height— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: But hark! A grand, mysterious harmony— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: Praise to the Holiest in the height— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: Thy judgment now is near— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: Jesu! By that shuddering dread which fell on Thee— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: Praise to His Name! – Take me away— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 – Pt. II: Softly and gently— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op. 61: III. Allegro molto— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Elgar: Symphony No. 2 in E flat, Op. 63: 1. Allegro vivace e nobilmente— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Elgar: Symphony No. 2 in E flat, Op. 63: 4. Moderato e maestoso— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Elgar: Symphony No. 1 in A Flat Major, Op. 55 – 1. Andante. Nobilmente e semplice – Allegro— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Elgar: Symphony No. 1 in A Flat Major, Op. 55 – 2. Allegro molto— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Elgar: Symphony No. 1 in A Flat Major, Op. 55 – 4. Lento – Allegro— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Sospiri, Op. 70 (Arr. E. Griffiths for violin and piano)— Benjamin Frith
Performed by Benjamin Frith
Violin Sonata in E minor, Op. 82: III. Allegro, non troppo— Renaud Capuçon
Performed by Renaud Capuçon
Pomp and Circumstance Marches, Op. 39: No. 1: Allegro, con molto fuoco— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D Major, Op. 39 No. 1— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
Pomp and Circumstance Marches, Op. 39: No. 4: Allegro marziale— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4 in G Major, Op. 39 No. 4— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
Violin Sonata in A Minor: II. Scherzo. Allegro furioso ma non troppo— Charlie Siem
Performed by Charlie Siem
Violin Sonata in A Minor: III. Tema con variazioni. Andante – Tempo del preludio ma tranquillo…— Charlie Siem
Performed by Charlie Siem
Chanson de Nuit and Chanson de Matin, Op. 15: II. Chanson de Matin— Charlie Siem
Performed by Charlie Siem
Chanson de Nuit and Chanson de Matin, Op. 15: I. Chanson de Nuit— Charlie Siem
Performed by Charlie Siem
Pomp and Circumstance Marches, Op. 39: No. 2: Allegro molto— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Pomp and Circumstance Marches, Op. 39: No. 3: Con fuoco— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Pomp and Circumstance Marches, Op. 39: No. 5: Vivace— Pinchas Zukerman
Performed by Pinchas Zukerman
エニグマ変奏曲, 作品36: Variation I (C.A.E.) : L’istesso tempo— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
エニグマ変奏曲, 作品36: Variation II (H.D.S-P.) : Allegro— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
エニグマ変奏曲, 作品36: Variation III (R.B.T.) : Allegretto— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
エニグマ変奏曲, 作品36: Variation IV (W.M.B.) : Allegro di molto— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
エニグマ変奏曲, 作品36: Variation VI (Ysobel) : Andantino— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
エニグマ変奏曲, 作品36: Variation VIII (W.N.) : Allegretto— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
エニグマ変奏曲, 作品36: Variation X (Dorabella) Intermezzo: Allegretto— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
エニグマ変奏曲, 作品36: Variation XI (G.R.S.) : Allegro di molto— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
エニグマ変奏曲, 作品36: Variation XIII (***) Romanza: Moderato— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
エニグマ変奏曲, 作品36: Variation XIV (E.D.U.) Finale: Allegro— Vladimir Ashkenazy
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
I. Adagio – Moderato – II. Lento – Allegro molto from Concerto in E minor for Cello and…— Yo-Yo Ma
Performed by Yo-Yo Ma
Elgar: Introduction & Allegro for Strings, Op. 47— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner