Elgar: The Severn Suite; Nursery Suite
Complete Edition Volume 26
Expected to ship in 1-2 weeks.
- Composer: Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
- Editor: David Lloyd-Jones (1934-)
- Format: Full Score – Hardcover
- Binding: Hardcover
- ISBN:
Description
After his wife's death in 1920, Elgar composed little of significance for many years. in his twilight years, he was encouraged by friends to return to the composition of more substantial works and, in 1930, composed three in quick succession:
- The first of these was The Severn Suite which, after protracted negotiations with Herbert Whiteley, a leading figure in the British brass band movement, Elgar agreed to compose as a test piece for the National Brass Band Championships. Elgar was obviously sufficiently pleased with the outcome to orchestrate the work the following year but his publishers Keith Prowse never issued it in full score.
- The second work, on which he had started composition before with The Severn Suite and completed the two works in parallel, was the fifth Pomp and Circumstance , honouring a commitment to Boosey to provide a set of six marches.
- The third work, which Elgar composed in the latter months of 1930, was the Nursery Suite. Elgar claimed to have rediscovered a bundle of his youthful compositions, from which he was encouraged by a member of his recording company HMV (no doubt thinking of a potential recording) to turn into a suite similar in style to the Wand of Youth suites from some 25 years earlier.
In the event, Elgar recorded all three works for HMV and the first two have since entered the mainstream repertoire, but Nursery Suite lacked the inspiration of The Wand of Youth and its popularity has languished. The fifth Pomp and Circumstance March appears in Volume 29 of the Complete Edition, but this volume, edited by conductor David Lloyd-Jones, contains, in their orchestral forms, the first and third of the above works, published by Keith Prowse as part of Elgar's contractual commitment to provide them with three new compositions a year.
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: The Severn Suite; Nursery Suite
