Music TheoryPrint

Edward Elgar

Sospiri

Sospiri, Op. 70, is an adagio for string orchestra, harp (or piano), and organ (or harmonium) composed by Edward Elgar just before and performed just after the beginning of World War I. Elgar

Structure#

Adagio 4/4 d minor After the introduction of two bars, a melancholic melody is played by the first violin (Excerpt 1). Excerpt 1 : \relative c’ \new Staff \with \remove “Time_signature_engraver” \key d \minor \time 4/4 \tempo “Quasi recit.” r8\fermata e'4\upbow \p \ > a4( c8) d,2~ d8 c\ c ) c4! The other subject is displayed more passionately (Excerpt 2). Excerpt 2 : \relative c’ \new Staff \with \remove “Time_signature_engraver” \key d \minor \time 4/4 \partial 2.. a'8\mf ( a’) a, g'2~ g8^\markup \bold largamente f\ ( g’) f,! f'2 \p Excerpt 1 reappears, followed by dying end in the harmony of F major.

Sources#

  • Score, Elgar: Sospiri, Breitkopf & Härtel, Leipzig, 1914
  • Sospiri, Op. 70 on the site of the Elgar Society,
  • “Sospiri, Op. 70” by Edward Elgar, with Sol Gabetta and the Danmarks Radio SymfoniOrkestret, at youtube.com
Composer
Edward Elgar