Sir Edward Elgar

   English composer

   born: 2 June 1857, Broadheath; died: 23 February 1934, Worcester

     Salut d'Amour

     Sir Edward Elgar was also Sir Merlin of English music - the quintessential composer of the British Isles.  Indeed, as if by lyrical magic, it was Elgar who rekindled the musical pride of England with his Pomp and Circumstance Marches, symphonies, concertos and tone poems.  Moreover, his best-known work is the sterling set of musical portraits known as Enigma Variations, written in 1899.

     But as he prepared for a career as a composer, Elgar wrote a variety of smaller pieces, including his celebrated Salut D'Amour.

     The story behind the piece is charming: in the summer of 1888, 31-year-old Edward Elgar became engaged to Caroline Alice Roberts, a well-versed young lady who had earlier presented the composer with a poem titled Love's Grace.  Edward replied by writing a valentine for violin and piano titled, in formal German, "Liebesgruss" (Love's Greeting).  The work is dedicated "to Carice," a pet name for his fiancee.  However, upon the advice of his publisher, Elgar retitled the piece in French.

     Salut D'Amour quickly became one of the most popular salon pieces in the violin repertoire.  But the composer somehow knew the piece would also go well as a setting for orchestra, which he scored at the same time.  The work has since been widely adapted for diverse instruments in solo and ensemble.   

program notes by Edward Yadzinsky