Edward Elgar

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Sir Edward Elgar was important in establishing a voice for English classical music. Taking his cue from the complex Romantic harmonies of composers such as Richard Wagner, Elgar developed these sounds, adding a personal sense of zest and richness of melody. The orchestration of his pieces was thick but not excessive, creating a myriad of new tonal textures with novel instrument combinations. His most famous work was the lively Pomp and Circumstance, which established his popularity at home and abroad. Elgar mastered many forms, from his melancholic Cello Concerto to the choral oratorios Dream of Gerontius.