Edward Elgar
Serenade e minor op. 20 for String Orchestra
Elgar’s Serenade for Strings was composed in 1892 and represents the first of his works with which the 35-year-old composer was truly satisfied. Whether, as often claimed, it derives from three pieces for strings from 1888 can no longer be ascertained, since only the titles of those pieces “Spring Song”, “Elegy” and “Finale”, have come down to us. However, these titles would also characterise the movements of the Serenade surprisingly well. Posterity shares Elgar’s positive assessment to the present day: the Serenade op. 20 is not only one of his most popular compositions, but is among the most frequently played works in the string-orchestra literature. Edited by British Elgar specialist Rupert Marshall-Luck, this classic now appears in Henle Urtext as conducting score, performance material and handy study edition.
About the Composer
Edward Elgar
Most important English composer of his day. His immense oeuvre comprises numerous choral works, songs with piano and orchestral accompaniment, several stage works, orchestral music of a mostly programmatic character, a few works of chamber music in his last phase, and works for piano and organ.
| 1857 | Born in Broadheath (Worcester) on June 2, the son of a music dealer. First attempts at composition at ten years of age. He is largely an autodidact with rich practical experience. |
| from mid-1870 | He plays in various orchestras in Worcester, including the Worcester Philharmonic Society as well as the Festival Orchestra (under the direction of A. Dvořák and others). From 1878 some of his compositions are performed (sometimes for the first time). |
| from 1882 | He serves variously as conductor of the Worcester Amateur Instrumental Society and the newly founded Worcestershire Philharmonic Society (1889–1904). |
| 1889 | Moves to London. |
| 1889–1903 | Cantata, “The Black Knight,” Op. 25. |
| 1890 | Premiere of the overture “Froissart,” Op. 19, as his first major work. |
| 1891 | Moves to Malvern; activities in the countryside. |
| 1896 | Oratorio, “The Light of Life (Lux Christi),” Op. 29. |
| 1897–99 | “Sea-Pictures,” Op. 37, for contralto and orchestra. |
| after 1897 | He composes works for ceremonial occasions for the English royal court. |
| 1898–99 | Enigma Variations, Op. 36, a musical portrayal of fourteen of his friends. |
| 1899–1900 | Oratorio, “The Dream of Gerontius,” Op. 38, serves as a watershed moment. He receives numerous honors, including honorary doctorates in 1900 and 1907, and in 1911 the Order of Merit. |
| 1901–06 | Oratorios “The Kingdom,” Op. 51, and “The Apostles,” Op. 49. |
| 1904–08 | Professorship at the University of Birmingham. |
| 1908 | Premiere of his Symphony No. 1 in A-flat major, Op. 55; the pinnacle of his success, with 84 performances by 1909. |
| 1909/10 | Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61, the first significant English concerto. |
| 1911 | Premiere of his Symphony No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 63, enjoys little success. |
| 1912 | He moves to London. |
| 1913 | Symphonic study, “Falstaff,” Op. 68. |
| 1918 | Chamber music works, including the Sonata for Violin and Piano in E minor, Op. 82; the String Quartet in E minor; the Piano Quintet in A minor. |
| 1918–19 | Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, a late magnum opus. |
| 1934 | Dies in Worcester on February 23. |
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