Edward Elgar: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:32, 24 May 2007

Revision as of 16:03, 2 June 2007

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In many ways, his years as a young Worcestershire violinist were his happiest. He played in the first violins at the Worcester and Birmingham Festivals, and one great experience was to play [[Antonín Dvořák]]'s [[Symphony No. 6 (Dvořák)|Sixth Symphony]] and ''Stabat Mater'' under the composer's baton. Elgar was thrilled by Dvořák's orchestration and this remained an influence on his own style for more than a decade. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}

At 29, through his teaching, he met [[Alice Elgar|(Caroline) Alice Roberts]], a Major-General's daughter (shades of [[Gilbert and Sullivan]]) and an author of verse and prose fiction. He married her three years later against the wishes of her family, giving her as an engagement present the short [[violin]] and piano piece ''[[Salut d'amour]]''. The Elgars moved to [[London]] to be closer to the centre of British musical life, and Edward started composing in earnest. The stay was unsuccessful, however, and they were obliged to return to [[Great Malvern]], where Edward could earn a living teaching.

===Growing reputation===