Next weekend we perform a masterpiece that is among those closest to my heart, Edward Elgar’s First Symphony. Its premiere in 1908 was probably the greatest success of Elgar’s career. His best friend and publisher, August Jaeger, described the scene at the first London performance: “I never in all my experience saw the like. The hall was packed…the atmosphere was electric…after the first movement E.E. was called out; again, several times after the third, and then came the great moment. After that Finale the audience seemed to rise at E. when he appeared. I never heard such frantic applause after any novelty, or such shouting. Five times he had to appear before they were pacified. People stood up and even on their seats to get

Continue readingA Massive Hope for the Future: Elgar’s First Symphony

December 17, 2017 Yesterday I arrived in damp and blustery London, which, despite the gloom and ghastly weather is full of the irrepressible cheer of Christmastime. There is something about dusk descending at 4 p.m. – or even of being soaked by the spray of a passing double-decker bus whilst walking to a carol service – that makes the Yuletide spirit all the more real. I write just before the commencement of a rather brutal schedule of mulled-wine-soaked lunches and dinners with friends. It’s the one time of year when nearly everyone from this continent of my life is in the same place, which is something to treasure. It is, of course, a natural time to reflect on the year that is drawing to a

Continue readingA Letter from London (and Nielsen 4)