Elgar: Solo songs with piano (1901–1934)
Complete Edition Volume 16
Expected to ship in 1-2 weeks.
- Composer: Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
- Editor: Brian Trowell
- Format: Full Score – Hardcover
- Binding: Hardcover
- ISBN:
- Urtext / Critical Edition
Description
Elgar's solo songs are not among his best known works and there is a tendency to dismiss them as second-rate. It is true that he composed them with a variety of motives: some seemed to serve as a form of relaxation from the labours of his Major compositions; others were written in support of the worthy cause of the day; and then there are the pot-boilers, mainly militaristic in style, aimed at the masses as a means of generating much-needed income for himself and his publishers. and yet the latter include what is today his best-known work, Land of Hope and Glory , for which he provided only a piano accompaniment; and his publishers were wise enough to allow him the freedom to publish, alongside the more rugged songs, a number of delightfully delicate and intriguing art songs – songs such as Speak Music , which trips off the tongue in 15/8 time; A Child Asleep , a lullaby written for the infant son of his favorite mezzo, Muriel Foster; and It Isnae Me , premièred by and dedicated to his latest inamorata, Joan Elwes.
The Elgar Complete Edition does not distinguish on the grounds of quality of composition: all 22 solo songs completed by Elgar after 1900 and 21 fragments believed also to date from this period are included in the volume. As ever with Elgar, in several of the songs there is the intertwining of personal and professional life, the mysteries and intrigues, captured where appropriate in a brief introductory paragraph or two giving the background to the composition of each song. and the volume comes complete with the customary apparatus of detailed source descriptions, commentaries and an introductory foreword. All in all, a fascinating volume for the academic, the performer and for those who simply enjoy Elgar's music.
22 original solo songs:
Always and Everywhere ; Come, Gentle Night ; ‘There are Seven that pull the Thread'(from the Incidental Music and Funeral March from Grania and Diarmid , Op. 42); Land of Hope and Glory ; In the Dawn ;Speak, Music ; Speak, my Heart! (May, June, July); ‘In Moonlight' (from In the South , Op. 50); Follow the Colours ; Pleading , Op. 48; Oh, Soft was the Song ; Was it some Golden Star? Twilight ; The King's Way ; A Child Asleep ; The Torch ; The River ; The Chariots of the Lord ; Arabian Serenade ; ‘Quand nos bourgeons se rouvriront' (‘When the Spring comes round again' from Une Voix dans le Désert , Op. 77); Fight for Right ; It Isnae Me ;
21 sketches and unfinished works:
‘…and to be in her…'; Birthright ; Ecstasy ; The Haven of Desire ; Infant Joy ; In Memoriam June 2 1908 (In Memory of a Seer); ‘I with the young wide Empire in my veins'; Moonlit apples ; Nirvana ; ‘One by one…'; Patriotic song (‘… wake …'); Pattern for Bag-poet ; The Prince of Sleep ; Proem ; Sea Mist ; Song 1 ; Song 2 ; The Soul ; There is an Orchard ; The Waking ; T he White Island.
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: Solo songs with piano (1901–1934)
