Composer. He is best known for his "Pomp and Circumstance" (1901 to 1907, 1930), a set of five marches. He adapted the famous theme of the first "Pomp and Circumstance" march as the official ode for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902. In general Elgar followed the German orchestral and choral traditions of the 19th century, but his "The Enigma Variations" for orchestra (1899) and "Pomp and Circumstance" marches reflected a style which was clearly English in character. He is the first modern English composer to write important choral and orchestral music and his compositions showed a strong sense of the harmonies and musical forms of the romantic area. Sir. Edward William Elgar was born on June 2, 1857, in Broad Heath, Hereford and Worcester in England, and was largely self-taught in composition. As a young man Elgar filled several musical posts, working as a violinist before becoming conductor of the Worcester Glee Club and the Country Asylum Band before succeeding his father as organist at St. George's Roman Catholic Church in Worcester, in 1885. In 1899 he married Caroline Alice Roberts and resigned his position to devote himself to composing. Elgar then lived alternately in London and near Worcester, but in 1891 settled in Malvern. The 1890 performance of his overture "Froissart" brought Elgar some recognition, but he did not become well known until 1899, when the Hungarian Conductor Hans Richter performed Elgar's "Variations on an Original Theme" in London. The oratorio"The Dreams of Gerontius," (1900) based on a poem by British churchman John Henry Newman, is generally considered Elgar's masterpiece which firmly established his reputation as a the leading figure in English music. Elgar's work, a late example of romanticism, is notable for its wit, lyrical beauty, and distinctive form. After the Elgar Festival (London, 1904) he was knighted. His further works included oratorios, symphonies, concertos, and incidental music. Elgar's number of choral works include the cantatas "The Black Knight" (1893) and "Cametacus" (1898); the oratorios "The Apostles" (1903) and "The Kingdom" (1906); a concerto for violin (1910) and one for cello (1919). His orchestral works include the overture "Cockaigne" (1902); the symphonic study "Falstaff" (1913); and two symphonies, in A-flat (1908) and in E-flat (1911). From 1924 till his death in Worcester on Feb. 23, 1934, he was Master of the King's Musik. At the time leading up to his death, Elgar was at work on a third symphony.

Composer. He is best known for his "Pomp and Circumstance" (1901 to 1907, 1930), a set of five marches. He adapted the famous theme of the first "Pomp and Circumstance" march as the official ode for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902. In general Elgar followed the German orchestral and choral traditions of the 19th century, but his "The Enigma Variations" for orchestra (1899) and "Pomp and Circumstance" marches reflected a style which was clearly English in character. He is the first modern English composer to write important choral and orchestral music and his compositions showed a strong sense of the harmonies and musical forms of the romantic area. Sir. Edward William Elgar was born on June 2, 1857, in Broad Heath, Hereford and Worcester in England, and was largely self-taught in composition. As a young man Elgar filled several musical posts, working as a violinist before becoming conductor of the Worcester Glee Club and the Country Asylum Band before succeeding his father as organist at St. George's Roman Catholic Church in Worcester, in 1885. In 1899 he married Caroline Alice Roberts and resigned his position to devote himself to composing. Elgar then lived alternately in London and near Worcester, but in 1891 settled in Malvern. The 1890 performance of his overture "Froissart" brought Elgar some recognition, but he did not become well known until 1899, when the Hungarian Conductor Hans Richter performed Elgar's "Variations on an Original Theme" in London. The oratorio"The Dreams of Gerontius," (1900) based on a poem by British churchman John Henry Newman, is generally considered Elgar's masterpiece which firmly established his reputation as a the leading figure in English music. Elgar's work, a late example of romanticism, is notable for its wit, lyrical beauty, and distinctive form. After the Elgar Festival (London, 1904) he was knighted. His further works included oratorios, symphonies, concertos, and incidental music. Elgar's number of choral works include the cantatas "The Black Knight" (1893) and "Cametacus" (1898); the oratorios "The Apostles" (1903) and "The Kingdom" (1906); a concerto for violin (1910) and one for cello (1919). His orchestral works include the overture "Cockaigne" (1902); the symphonic study "Falstaff" (1913); and two symphonies, in A-flat (1908) and in E-flat (1911). From 1924 till his death in Worcester on Feb. 23, 1934, he was Master of the King's Musik. At the time leading up to his death, Elgar was at work on a third symphony.

Bio by: Curtis Jackson