The Elgar Family Diaries 1908-1910

Paul Chennell, MA 1983

Lovers of British music will be pleased to hear that the latest volume in the Edward Elgar: Collected correspondence is now available. This fifth volume of the Elgar family diaries once again draws on a wealth of contemporary sources including letters from and to the Elgars. It covers a period of activity and creation.

Elgar was now able to complete and hear Hans Richter conduct the first performance of his First Symphony, continuing to the composition of the Violin Concerto and, towards the second half of 1910, to progress the composition of the Second symphony.

The old frustrations concerning a lack of money and time for ‘real composition’ may have remained but, through these pages, we see how his success was achieved. It is also clear from the diary entries – particularly when the Elgars are travelling in Italy – how profound the cultural and religious impact of that country was on all of them.

For more information about this book contact Elgar works

Email: collected.correspondence@elgar.org.

ISBN: ISBN 978 1 904856 61 0 (Elgar Works)