Music Set #220 - Elgar - Pomp & Circum Marches

Edward William Elgar  

(1857 – 1934)

Pomp and Circumstance Marches 

- 6 marches glorifying the British Empire

The best known is March No.1, which contains the famous lyrical "Land of Hope and Glory" Trio tune.

* the Trio starts after 1:52
* with coronation lyrics  adapted in Coronation Ode for Edward VII.**  

In WW2, Vera Lyn (patriotic singer) sang to enhance the national spirit.

(Her Lili Marlene and We'll Meet Again were also beautiful.)

In the US, the Trio section is sometimes known as 

* The Graduation March or simply as "Pomp and Circumstance" ***

It is played as the processional tune at virtually all high school and college graduation ceremonies, being usually played when the graduating class or department walks onto the stage.

  

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Bonus:
* Salut d'amour  - Sarah Chang (violin)


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Prince Edward **:

Queen Victoria died in January 1901, at an age of 81.  Her successor Prince Edward, then 59, did not keep fit, after too much food, wine and women. Two days before the planned coronation, Prince Edward was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Survival chance of operation at that time was low, and much lower for persons of his age and health.  So, the coronation was simply cancelled.  Surprisingly, he recovered rapidly.  His coronation was then held in August 1902, at an age of 60. He died at 68. (The Prince’s Building in Hong Kong, the Prince Edward Road in Kowloon (plus a subway station later), etc. were named after him while he was a long-waiting heir apparent to the throne.)
     

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The Union Jack  is the national flag of United Kingdom, made of 3 crosses:

- The red cross of Saint George represents England (and Wales). 

- The white cross of Saint Patrick represents Ireland.  

- The blue cross of Saint Andrew represents Scotland, with the cross counter-changed (that is, white cross X in blue background).

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*** This tradition started in 1905, at Yale University, where the Professor of Music Samuel Sanford invited his friend Elgar to attend commencement and receive an honorary Doctorate of Music. Elgar accepted, and Sanford organized a large group of musicians to perform 2 parts from Elgar's oratorio: The Light of Life, and as the graduates and officials marched out, "Pomp and Circumstance" March No 1.