Edward Elgar - Symphony No. 1 (2/5) First Movement 2nd part

Edward Elgar

Symphony No. 1 in A-flat major, Op. 55 (1908)

1. Andante; Nobilmente e semplice - Allegro
(conclusion)

London Philharmonic conducted by Bryden Thomson

The symphony is in a cyclic form: the incomplete "nobilmente" theme from the first movement returns in the finale for a complete grandioso statement after various transformations throughout the work. Elgar wrote, "the opening theme is intended to be simple &, in intention, noble & elevating ... the sort of ideal call -- in the sense of persuasion, not coercion or command -- & something above every day & sordid things." The musicologist Michael Kennedy writes "One cannot call it a motto-theme, but it is an idée fixe, and after its first quiet statement, the full orchestra repeat it fortissimo. It gently subsides back to woodwind and violas and abruptly switches to D minor, an extraordinary choice of key for the first allegro of a Symphony in A flat." Reed speculates that Elgar's choice of D minor was a gesture against academic rules. According to the conductor Sir Adrian Boult, the clashing keys arose because someone made a bet with Elgar that he could not compose a symphony in two keys at once. The movement is in traditional sonata form with two main themes, a development and a recapitulation. It ends quietly, "an effect of magical stillness".

Arranger:Sigfrid Karg-Elert (1877-1933)

Publisher Info.:London: Novello, 1909

Category:

Music

Tags:

• symphony
• orchestra
• london
• england
• romantic

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