Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance Marches, No. 4

Something that desperately needs to be on Youtube. The fourth march greatly resembles the first. It appeared in A Clockwork Orange.

The first eight bars of the march is played by the full orchestra with the melody played by the violas and upper woodwind. Both harps play from the beginning, while the cellos, double basses and timpani contribute a simple bass figure. The bass clarinet, contrabassoon, trombones and tuba are held "in reserve" for the repeat, when the first violins join the violas with the tune. There are subdued fanfares from the brass interrupted by little flourishes from the strings before the opening march is repeated. There is pause, then a little section which starts forcefully but quietens, leading into the Trio. The Trio follows the pattern of March No. 1, with the melody (in the subdominant key of C) played by clarinet, horn and violins. The violins start the Trio tune on the lowest note they can play, an "open" G-string, which gives a recognisable "twang" to this one note, and they are directed to play the passage "sul G" on the same string, for the sake of the tone-colour, and the accompaniment is from the harps, low strings and bassoons. The grand tune is repeated, as we expect, by the full orchestra; the opening march section returns; the grand tune is repeated again in the "home" key of G major; and the last word is had by a re-statement of the opening rhythmic patterns. The march prepares the audience for its end as surely as a train pulling into a station, with the violins, violas and cellos ending on their resonant "open" G.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Pomp
• and
• Circumstance
• March
• No
• Major
• Military
• Edward
• Elgar
• Fantasia
• 2000
• Donald
• Duck
• Noah
• Ark
• Graduation
• Land
• Hope
• Glory
• Proms
• British
• Stuff

[dis0guise]

Sadly, the Big Tune from this and the Big Tune from #1 are probably all that Elgar will be remembered for. But, hey, many composers don't get even one Big Tune, I suspect. Did Holst get more than the one from Jupiter in The Planets, aka I Vow to Thee, My Country? I wouldn't swear to it.

[Dracorex13]

@dis0guise I concur with Mankemacho. I used to have The Planets, but Youtube made me take it down. :(

[Nordjyden9000]

From a time when England was proud of her culture.

[MysterySparkStudios]

if they dont play this when graduating i will be angry

[pix046]

@dis0guise Obviously, you are wrong about Elgar not being remembered for Enigma Variations, Cello Concerto, 1st Symphony and Dream of Gerontius.

[ck98198]

The 5 quintessential English Pieces:

Elgar: P & C no.s 1 & 4

Nimrod

Hubert Parry's "Jerusalem"

Holst's "Jupiter"

[jamesthepezboy]

2 people are not patriotic!

[MrJamieandDave]

Defines British classical music.

[thischarmingyoungman]

@Nordjyden9000 Never been prouder.

[elgar34]

This music speaks so directly to the heart, it is honestly felt.

[Bert3346]

@dis0guise His "Song of the Blacksmith" is well known-I like it.

[tc897]

This is the slow march used by the British Parachute Regiment. Ride of the Valkyries is the quick march.

[BritainDivided]

@RWT683 Nimrod is my second favourite piece by this great man and much underrated composer who has given so much!

[BritainDivided]

Imagine the feelings that night the first time this was played! Britain was at the absolute height of its power and ruled a quarter of the globe. This music so embodies that era and captures that mood. People must of been so proud to hear such patriotic music.