Sir Edward Elgar
Edward Elgar’s music carries English romantic warmth into the concert hall: long-breathed melodies, rich harmony and tunes that lodge in the ear, from the intimate charm of Salut d’Amour to organ writing of near-symphonic scale.
He wrote for orchestra, chorus, chamber forces and the salon with the same instinct for colour and line. The First Organ Sonata unfolds in four contrasting movements of full romantic weight: daring harmonic turns, captivating melodies and a sense of orchestral splendour transferred to the console. The Second draws on the Severn Suite, brass-band muscle refined into organ sonority. Elsewhere the same voice softens into song and encore: Salut d’Amour remains a favourite for its open-hearted cantabile, equally at home on violin, organ or mandolin ensemble. Sacred choral pages such as The Spirit of the Lord show the ceremonial side of that gift, broad phrases shaped for voices and space. Whether the canvas is a full sonata or a two-minute salon jewel, the music asks to be sung as much as played.
Sir Edward Elgar is featured on the following titles
Elgar Organ Sonatas
Recorded in 1984 for the fiftieth anniversary of Edward Elgar's death, this album presents both of his organ sonatas. June Nixon, long-time organist of St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne, plays the cathedral's Lewis organ with mastery and clear affection for the music.
Salut d'Amour
Concordia Mandolin and Guitar Ensemble offers a warm European tour for plucked strings, crowned by Elgar's Salut d'Amour in an arrangement for mandolin orchestra.
Compositions by Sir Edward Elgar also appear on
Geoffrey Tozer in Concert: Hobart 1991
Live solo piano recital by Geoffrey Tozer, recorded at the University Centre, Hobart, on 18 May 1991. Bach’s Italian Concerto and Schumann’s Carnaval open a programme that also takes in Medtner, Liszt, Beethoven and Elgar.
Hymne à l’amour
Hymne à l’amour is an exquisite collection of art songs from soprano Siobhán Stagg and pianist Amir Farid. The programme traces the frailty of the human condition through flirtation, deep love and heartbreaking truths.
Just Married: Organ Music for a Wedding
A compilation of history's most celebrated organ music, long popular at weddings. The insert notes usefully group the tracks as processionals, recessionals and music for the signing of the register.
The Spirit of the Lord
The Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, directed from the organ by June Nixon, presents sacred choral works by Edward Elgar and Edward Bairstow.
Victoria Victoria
A double CD of Victoria’s 150th Gala Choral Concert, given in the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne, in 1985. A thousand-voice choir and orchestra under Richard Divall frame Léon Caron’s prize-winning Victoria Cantata of 1880.