Elgar: Music for String Orchestra
Complete Edition Volume 24
Expected to ship in 1-2 weeks.
- Composer: Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
- Editor: Julian Rushton
- Format: Full Score – Hardcover
- Binding: Hardcover
- ISBN:
Description
The volume brings together four of Elgar's best-loved works:
- the enchanting Serenade for Strings , one of his earliest orchestral works : possibly deriving from an even earlier (1888) work for string orchestra, it was first performed by the Worcester Ladies' Orchestral Class in 1892 but did not receive its public première until 1896 in Antwerp and, in the UK, 1899 in New Brighton;
- the solemn Elegy , commissioned by Novello Chairman Alfred Littleton at the suggestion of the Worshipful Company of Musicians in response to the sudden, premature death of its Junior Warden Rev Robert Haddon in 1909 : it was originally performed under the name ‘Dirge', a title Elgar seemingly preferred despite heading the manuscript with the word by which the work is now known;
- the wistful, haunting Sospiri , written on the outbreak of the First World War as a companion piece to Salut d'Amour and Carissima: rejected by its commissioning publisher Elkin for being too sombre, it was eventually published as a separate piece by Breitkopf & Härtel, firstly in a version for violin and piano and then in the arrangement for string orchestra, harp and optional harmonium which appears in this volume;
- and the exhilarating Introduction and Allegro for Strings , composed in 1905 to enable the string section of the then recently formed London Symphony Orchestra to show off their virtuosic skills: by far the most complex of the four pieces, his ‘string thing' contains (in Elgar's own words) ‘a devil of a fugue' and the ‘Welsh tune', supposedly caught on the wind by Elgar across a bay in West Wales, but first sketched as the curious ‘Pattern for a Bag Poet', published last Autumn in Vol.16.
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Elgar: Music for String Orchestra
