Edward Elgar[1857-1934]
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Sir Edward Elgar is widely acknowledged as one of England's finest composers. Popularly perceived as an archetypal 'Establishment' figure, on closer examination both his life and his music reveal a far more interesting picture.
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THE EARLY YEARS[1857-1889]
Edward Elgar was born on the 6th of June 1857 in the village of Broadheath, near Worcester. His mother, Anne, worked in a local tavern whlst his father, William Henry, was a piano tuner and music retailer. William Elgar encouraged all his children to take an interest in music and Edward learnt how to play the violin, piano, bassoon and organ.By the age of eleven he was already composing simple tunes.
After leaving school in 1872 Elgar worked in a local lawyer's office for 12 months, until he decided that a legal career was not for him. Instead, he resolved to concentrate on music. He managed to earn a living as a music teacher, violinist, organist, bassoonist and conductor in and around Worcester. He also began to have some of his compositions published. These early compositions, such as 'Salut d'Amour', are often dismissed as unimportant salon pieces, yet they all display one of Elgr's most endearing qualities; a real flair for melody.
In 1889, Elgar married Caroline Anne Roberts, one of his violin pupils. The match was problematic to a certain degree, largely due to the religious and class prejudices of late Victorin England. Firstly, Caroline came from a very gentrified family whilst Elgar was considered to have a 'trade' background. There was also the age difference. Elgar was 32 years old and Caroline was 40. Perhaps most importantly there was the problem of religion, for Elgar was a Catholic whilst his bride-to-be was a Prostestant. In our more secular age it is perhaps difficult to comprehend quite how important an issue this was, but at the time of the Elgar's marriage 'Popery' could raise real passions.
The snobbery and prejudice to which Elgar was exposed at this time had a great influence on his character. From then on, possibly in attempt to conceal his relatively humble origins Elgar was to adopt the 'English country gentleman' image which is so familiar to us today.
Apart from the Elgar's marriage, 1889 was a watershed year in two other respects. Firstly, Elgar and his new wife decided to move to London in the hope of furthering his musical career and, secondly, Elgar completed his first significant work; the 'Froissart' overture.
FROM ' FROISSART' TO 'BRINKWELLS'[1890-1919]
[to be continued]
Sir Edward Elgar is widely acknowledged as one of England's finest composers. Popularly perceived as an archetypal 'Establishment' figure, on closer examination both his life and his music reveal a far more interesting picture.
. ~'~
THE EARLY YEARS[1857-1889]
Edward Elgar was born on the 6th of June 1857 in the village of Broadheath, near Worcester. His mother, Anne, worked in a local tavern whlst his father, William Henry, was a piano tuner and music retailer. William Elgar encouraged all his children to take an interest in music and Edward learnt how to play the violin, piano, bassoon and organ.By the age of eleven he was already composing simple tunes.
After leaving school in 1872 Elgar worked in a local lawyer's office for 12 months, until he decided that a legal career was not for him. Instead, he resolved to concentrate on music. He managed to earn a living as a music teacher, violinist, organist, bassoonist and conductor in and around Worcester. He also began to have some of his compositions published. These early compositions, such as 'Salut d'Amour', are often dismissed as unimportant salon pieces, yet they all display one of Elgr's most endearing qualities; a real flair for melody.
In 1889, Elgar married Caroline Anne Roberts, one of his violin pupils. The match was problematic to a certain degree, largely due to the religious and class prejudices of late Victorin England. Firstly, Caroline came from a very gentrified family whilst Elgar was considered to have a 'trade' background. There was also the age difference. Elgar was 32 years old and Caroline was 40. Perhaps most importantly there was the problem of religion, for Elgar was a Catholic whilst his bride-to-be was a Prostestant. In our more secular age it is perhaps difficult to comprehend quite how important an issue this was, but at the time of the Elgar's marriage 'Popery' could raise real passions.
The snobbery and prejudice to which Elgar was exposed at this time had a great influence on his character. From then on, possibly in attempt to conceal his relatively humble origins Elgar was to adopt the 'English country gentleman' image which is so familiar to us today.
Apart from the Elgar's marriage, 1889 was a watershed year in two other respects. Firstly, Elgar and his new wife decided to move to London in the hope of furthering his musical career and, secondly, Elgar completed his first significant work; the 'Froissart' overture.
FROM ' FROISSART' TO 'BRINKWELLS'[1890-1919]
[to be continued]
