Symphony No. 1 in A flat major, Op. 55 - Elgar I. (part 1/2)

[scottxu]

The 2008 Sydney performance was conducted by Jeffery Tate (I think) and I was very impressed by it when I heard it on Radio.

[mazen6]

@scottxu it was a spectacular performance..standing ovation :)

[jfmurphy1]

I often wonder about this notion of national musical identity- to what extent it it valid or fanciful. That a composer is influenced by the music his country surrounds him or her with is natural. But other influences come to mind with this piece- Tchaikovsky for one! I don't want to accuse anyone of jingoism, but doesn't it diminish a composer of this magnitude? Or is it a shakey national identity touting around for support?

[301250]

Elgar demolishes the myth that was once upon a time propagated by the Continentals that England was "Das Land Ohne Musik"...such beautiful music can only come from a godly genius. Incidentally, good folks of Europe, on the 29 & 30 Jan 2011, Kees Bakels will be conducting this gorgeous symphony with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra at the Dewan Fil in Kuala Lumpur, so get yr tickets and book yr flight now! sd goh (malaysia)

[bostonpiano]

Great posts here... I "discovered" this in 1984 when I first saw "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan"... held true to the book, and the music (opening credits) incorporated this into the lush British opening of the film. Wonderful piece.

[mazen6]

@bostonpiano oh cool...didn't know that. Thanks for your comment

[scabycat]

have u heard this played be Vernon Handley with the LPO? absolutely stunning!!

[commanderlargeone]

Goose pimples for me.

[BritinIsrael]

Elgar's 1st Symphony just has to be the greatest synphony written by any British composer. As a youngster i was  so lucky to be present at so many live peformances by the Halle Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli. His Elgar was unique.

[scabycat]

@BritinIsrael I think , had Elgar been more prolific with his symphonies , he would rank alongside Beethoven, Mahler and tchailkovsky. He was truly a genious of the first league.This has to be 1 of my all time favourite symphonies

[1AdrianR]

I saw this piece played live by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra with Sir Andrew Davis conducting in a concert with Mozart's Violin concerto No. 3. Sublime, unforgettable experience.

[tomenicus]

I remember, when I first time met this piece. It was the afternoon of some day of may, when I was looking at some trees in the park, or something, and I got that on the radio (with earphones). The finale of a symphony came at the sunset time. Can you Imagine? Amazing experience...

[BenjaminGessel]

This symphony rivals the best symphonies ever written, and may still be my favorite symphony ever written. (Howard Hanson's Symphony #2 is quite good as well!)

[k73f]

ah! such a beautiful piece!

[jbarbri]

Interesting to see the comments made about Elgar's nervousness about British nationalism at the high point of the Empire -- my suspicion is that Elgar's position was an uncomfortable one partly because of (if not solely because of) his religion.

[lovesclassiccars]

I became familiar with this piece by Elgar over 10 years ago and have considered it among my favorites ever since. It's very British in nature (I'm American, btw), reminding me of the character of the culture as well as the natural beauty I associate with the country. But on the contrary, I did hear, according to a British brother-in-law, Elgar wasn't a nationalist and was upset when Pomp & Circumstances No. 1 was made into "Land of Hope and Glory".

[mazen6]

interesting...thanks for the comment

[lovesclassiccars]

Glad you liked it. Thank you for the music video clip. Although Elgar wrote music for royal events, I've read that he didn't like the trappings associated with the royalty, so it didn't surprise me to hear that he wasn't a nationalist. Just by listening to his music, one would think he was.

[Rodoragu]

"I became familiar with this piece by Elgar over 10 years ago and have considered it among my favorites ever since. It's very British in nature".

Elgar's music is german-like and as little English as litlle possible. Wagner and Brahms inspired him all along his career.

[lovesclassiccars]

I believe it. Wagner and Brahms were still alive when Elgar was a young man, assuming that he was an upcoming composer at that time. Germany produced a lot of the most famous composers at the time, and the Germans would've been a greater influence than lets say the Russians (Tchaikovsky, etc.) on an English composer for various reasons, largely culturally related. In fact, not nearly as many English composers are remembered as are Germans.

[RatherLargeAllan]

Elgar asked Benson to put words to the tune (for his 'Coronation Ode') and 'Land of Hope & Glory" was the result. Elgar may have later become disenchanted by the fame of the 'song' as opposed to the tune but....he started it!

[starry2006]

The slow movement is the peak of this piece for me, although the whole symphony is great. I much prefer it to the second.

[cineastasolaris]

I love this symphony, i heard for the first time in the movie "Greystoke" then in "Head in the Clouds" , IN the first this music make the scene touching. Thank you. Alex

[sshuck]

It's weird how all comments in praise of this got exactly -4, and all comments lambasting it or its composer got exactly +4.

Anyway, this symphony is superb. The contrast between the majestic 1st species counterpoint in A-flat and the harmonically distant agitato that follows it is harrowing.

[mazen6]

thanks for your comment sshuck.

I don't understand what people have against Elgar but Im mesmerized by his works (especially wen i saw this and his piano quintet played live)

[dxhaloxc]

i had to throw it off

[dahrouguitar]

Great,i thank God that i can feel that greatness.thx ''mazen6'' 4 posting this.

[peterkar]

And you're a posturing twit, anxious to demonstrate your superior critical capability, and falling flat on your face.

[norathorr]

Its incredibly odd that only the English seem to find Elgar to be a good composer and then only a small sect of the classical music fanbase in England. I find it amusing that when performing Elgar most musicians groan at the prospect of his ridiculous overuse of syncopation and high over decoration so whatever thematic statement he is trying to develop in the development sections of his outer movements always get lost!

[ianduckworth]

Doesn't sound English to me at all, it sounds like one of the great symphonies of the early twentieth century.

[smudgepots]

The opening theme must be one of the most glorious of all Elgar's melodies and so unbelievably evocative of England and things English.

[salmandolly]

I agree. I feel the emotion of this piece so strongly it's in my funeral plan! Elgar has so much to offer and I wish he could be given a little more credit. Oddly enough (as I am English), the music most evocative of England for me has been produced by Frenchmen! Dolly suite - Fauré, and Satie - Gymnopédie Nos. 1&2. What do you think?

[BrucknerMotet]

Funeral plan! I used to think Bruckner was in my funeral plan, then I read that Adolph required Bruckner's 7th to be broadcast in all public buildings after he and Eva bit the bullet in Berlin. Now I'm thinking maybe some Elgar, Vaugahn Williams? Or maybe something elegant like a trio or quartet. Maybe the probate lawyers of the world should start requiring their clients to assemble an "A" list of hits to be played at their viewings, funeral services, or even at wakes and after-parties!

[TangoCam]

My Mrs says you're Bastards, where's the rest?

[mazen6]

sorry mate...it was too big to upload all of it..ive just been too busy to upload part 2...hopefully i will soon

[vysehrad]

Thanks for posting this.