edited by John Norris and Andrew Neill
Elgar Editions ISBN 0 9537082 9 2
Hardback - 192 pages
In March 2003, The Elgar Society and The RVW Society organised a joint two-day international symposium which was held at The British Library in London. Those present were treated to a fascinating and original series of presentations ranging across a number of previously neglected aspects of the two composers' lives and works:
Comparative studies of the social background to their music
Their solo songs and oratorios
Their correspondence
An exploration of the composition of two of their least known works: Vaughan Williams's opera The Poisoned Kiss and Elgar's score for The Crown of India.
With the impressive range of speakers including such renowned names as Michael Kennedy, Lewis Foreman and Robert Anderson, it was always the intention to publish the proceedings of the symposium. Leaving aside the complexities of recording a verbal presentation within the pages of a book, however, some speakers felt that, freed from the constraints of an hour-long symposium slot, they could develop their arguments by the inclusion of additional points and more complex examples.
This book is the result - a unique contribution to our understanding of these two great composers and, as such, an indispensible addition to the libraries of all lovers of music.
Contents
Foreword
1. Elgar and Vaughan Williams: A 21st Century Celebration:
by Michael Kennedy
2. It looks all wrong, but it sounds all right: The social background to the life and music of Elgar and Vaughan Williams:
by Andrew Neill
3. Dreamers of Dreams: The songs of Elgar and Vaughan Williams:
by Claire-Louise Lucas & Jonathan Darnborough
4. Battle Songs & Elegies: Elgar, Vaughan Williams & British music 1914-1918:
by Lewis Foreman
5. What Have We Learnt from Elgar?: Vaughan Williams and the ambivalence of inheritance:
by Byron Adams
6. Stanford, Elgar and Vaughan Williams: Influences and reflections:
by Michael Pope
7. My Dear Elgar: The letters of Elgar and Vaughan Williams:
by Hugh Cobbe
8. From The Apostles to Sancta Civitas: The oratorios of Elgar and Vaughan Williams:
by Charles McGuire
9. Sheer early morning loveliness: Ralph Vaughan Williams and The Poisoned Kiss:
by Stephen Connock
10. Immemorial Ind: Elgar's score for The Crown of India:
by Robert Anderson
11. Eleven Symphonies : Do They Travel? If not, why not? Panel discussion:
with Byron Adams, Lewis Foreman, Charles McGuire & David Owen Norris; Chairman Andrew Neill
12. Evening Concert
Contributor Biographies
Notes and References
Index
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