{"id":25403,"date":"2023-03-15T13:19:12","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T12:19:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/?p=181443"},"modified":"2023-03-15T15:35:19","modified_gmt":"2023-03-15T14:35:19","slug":"elgars-pomp-circumstance-marches-what-they-are-when-he-composed-them-and-their-place-in-history","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/rss_feed\/elgars-pomp-circumstance-marches-what-they-are-when-he-composed-them-and-their-place-in-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Elgar\u2019s Pomp & Circumstance Marches: what they are, when he composed them and their place in history"},"content":{"rendered":"

A guide to Elgar’s rousing set of marches, which have been at the centre of many grand and state events including several coronations <\/p>

By BBC Music Magazine\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 15 March 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Synonymous with British pageantry, Elgar\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> Pomp & Circumstance Marches<\/em> have been at the centre of many grand and state events\u00a0including the coronations of George V, George VI and Elizabeth II<\/a>. \u2018Land of Hope and Glory<\/a><\/strong>\u2018, a hymn adapted from March No. 1, is also likely to be performed at the Coronation of King Charles III<\/a> on 6 May.<\/p>\n\n<h2>What are the <em>Pomp and Circumstance Marches<\/em>?<\/h2>\n<p>The\u00a0<i><b>Pomp and Circumstance Marches<\/b><\/i>\u00a0(full title\u00a0<i>Pomp and Circumstance Military Marches<\/i>),\u00a0Op.\u00a039, are a series of five (or six)\u00a0<strong><a title=\""March\" href=\""https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/March_(music)"\">marches<\/a><\/strong> for\u00a0orchestra\u00a0composed by Elgar. The composer produced the first four in his forties, between the years 1901 and 1907. The fifth was published more than two decades after the first four, in 1930, just a few years before Elgar\u2019s death. A sixth <em>Pomp and Circumstance March<\/em> was compiled posthumously from sketches by Elgar.<\/p>\n<p><em>Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1<\/em>\u00a0is best known for its trio section, adapted into the popular anthem\u00a0<a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/land-of-hope-and-glory-what-are-the-lyrics-and-what-do-they-mean\/"\"><strong>\u2018Land of Hope and Glory\u2019,<\/strong><\/a> which was first performed in its instrumental form in 1901, when it was encored twice. Today it is a firm and central\u00a0 fixture of<strong> <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-last-night-of-the-proms\/"\">Last Night of the Proms<\/a><\/strong>, when it is sung with gusto by the audience.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the <strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-last-night-of-the-proms\/"\">lyrics to Land of Hope and Glory<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>How many <em>Pomp and Circumstance<\/em> <em>Marches<\/em> are there?<\/h2>\n<p>Elgar composed five marches in total. Sadly he only made preparatory sketches for the sixth and final march. However, composer and Elgar scholar <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/news\/composer-anthony-payne-dies-aged-84\/"\"><strong>Anthony Payne<\/strong><\/a> made an inspired realisation of the sixth <em>March<\/em>, based on Elgar\u2019s notes. This new <em>March <\/em>got\u00a0its world premiere at the 2006 Proms.<\/p>\n<iframe title=\""Elgar\" payne=\"\" pomp=\"\" circumstance=\"\" no.6=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""150"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bv9fFk1miuY?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" web-share=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<h2>Why are they called <em>Pomp and Circumstance<\/em>?<\/h2>\n<p>Elgar named them Pomp and Circumstance after a phrase in <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/shakespeare-music\/"\"><strong>Shakespeare\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> <em>Othello:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u2018Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,<br\/>\nThe spirit-stirring drum, th\u2019ear-piercing\u00a0fife,<br\/>\nThe royal\u00a0banner, and all quality,<br\/>\nPride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!\u2019<\/p>\n<ul><li><strong><a class=\""standard-card-new__article-title"\" href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/classical-music-inspired-shakespeare\/"\">Classical music inspired by Shakespeare<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><p>We know that Elgar was a great admirer of <strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/shakespeare-music\/"\">Shakespeare<\/a><\/strong> and liked to sew the Bard\u2019s words and characters into his music. After all, he made Henry V\u2019s <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/recordings\/the-best-recordings-of-elgars-falstaff\/"\"><strong>Falstaff<\/strong><\/a> into a superbly colourful orchestral piece.<\/p>\n<h2>When did Elgar compose his <em>Pomp and Circumstances Marches<\/em>?<\/h2>\n<p>Elgar composed the first of his five Pomp and Circumstances Marches in 1901. Little did he know that the central <strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/musical-terms\/what-is-a-melody\/"\">melody<\/a> <\/strong>would soon rival \u2018<strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/god-save-the-queen-lyrics\/"\">God Save The King<\/a><\/strong>\u2018 in popularity.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a class=\""standard-card-new__article-title"\" href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/coronation-marches-and-anthems-10-of-the-best\/"\"><strong>Coronation marches and anthems: ten of the best<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><p>After conducting the first promenade performance, <strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/who-was-sir-henry-wood\/"\">Sir Henry Wood<\/a><\/strong> reported: \u201cThe people simply rose and yelled. I had to play it again \u2013 with the same result; they refused to let me go on with the programme\u2026 Merely to restore order, I played the march a third time. And that was the only time in history of the promenade concerts that an orchestral item was awarded a double encore.\u201d<\/p>\n<ul><li><strong><a class=\""standard-card-new__article-title"\" href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/richard-morrison-who-will-join-purcell-elgar-and-britten-as-british-composing-greats\/"\">Richard Morrison: Who will join Purcell, Elgar and Britten as British composing greats?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><p>Of the remaining four completed <em>Pomp and Circumstance Marches<\/em> \u2013 composed respectively in 1901, 1904, 1907 and 1930 \u2013 it was the Fourth that Elgar particularly intended as a serious rival to No.1. It is testimony to the composer\u2019s remarkable creative skills that he nearly succeeded in the attempt.<\/p>\n<iframe title=\""Pomp\" and=\"\" circumstance=\"\" march=\"\" no.4=\"\" proms=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_5clRHSbiFw?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" web-share=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<h2><strong>What is the best recording of Elgar\u2019s <em>Pomp and Circumstance Marches<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Royal Philharmonic Orchestra\/ Norman Del Mar DG 429 7132<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\""image-handler__container\" image-handler__container--aspect=\"\" style=\""padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?webp=true&quality=90&resize=299%2C300,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?quality=90&resize=299%2C300,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/png"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?webp=true&quality=90&resize=355%2C356,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?quality=90&resize=355%2C356,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/png"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?webp=true&quality=90&resize=405%2C406,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?quality=90&resize=405%2C406,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/png"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?webp=true&quality=90&resize=553%2C555,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?quality=90&resize=553%2C555,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/png"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?webp=true&quality=90&resize=619%2C621,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?quality=90&resize=619%2C621,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/png"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?webp=true&quality=90&resize=408%2C409,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?quality=90&resize=408%2C409,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/png"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?webp=true&quality=90&resize=555%2C557,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?quality=90&resize=555%2C557,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/png"\"><img class=\""wp-image-181561\" align=\"\" size-800x802=\"\" image-handler__image=\"\" image-handler__image--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-lazyload=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/24\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-15-at-11.57.10-a4859a4.png?quality=90&resize=619%2C621"\" width=\""1366"\" height=\""1370"\" alt=\"""\" title=\"""\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-container"\" data-position=\""adhoc"\" hidden=\"\"> <h5 class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-title\" monetizer-title=\"\" style=\""background-color:\" color:=\"\"\/> <div id=\""monetizer__deals"\" data-type=\""price-comparison"\" data-config=\"'{"shopId":"1378","market":"gbp_en","template":"default","searchKeywords":"https:\\\/\\\/www.amazon.co.uk\\\/Elgar-Enigma-Variations-Circumstance-Norman\\\/dp\\\/B0060P47SA\\\/ref=sr_1_2","excludeKeywords":"","geolocation":true,"limit":"4","priceRange":"9.1-16.9","sid":"term-classicalmusic-114-pcs-txt-pos"}'\"\/> <div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-explanatory-text\" body-copy-extra-small=\"\" editor-content=\"\"\/><\/div> <h3><em>Pomp and Circumstance Marches:<\/em> Three more great recordings<\/h3>\n<p><strong>London Philharmonic Orchestra \/ Sir Adrian Boult<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-container"\" data-position=\""adhoc"\" hidden=\"\"> <h5 class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-title\" monetizer-title=\"\" style=\""background-color:\" color:=\"\"\/> <div id=\""monetizer__deals"\" data-type=\""price-comparison"\" data-config=\"'{"shopId":"1378","market":"gbp_en","template":"default","searchKeywords":"https:\\\/\\\/www.amazon.co.uk\\\/Elgar-Orchestral-Variations-Circumstance-Marches\\\/dp\\\/B00000DO96\\\/ref=sr_1_1","excludeKeywords":"","geolocation":true,"limit":"4","priceRange":"2.8-5.2","sid":"term-classicalmusic-114-pcs-txt-pos"}'\"\/> <div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-explanatory-text\" body-copy-extra-small=\"\" editor-content=\"\"\/><\/div> <p><strong>Philharmonia \/ New Philharmonia \/ Sir John Barbirolli<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-container"\" data-position=\""adhoc"\" hidden=\"\"> <h5 class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-title\" monetizer-title=\"\" style=\""background-color:\" color:=\"\"\/> <div id=\""monetizer__deals"\" data-type=\""price-comparison"\" data-config=\"'{"shopId":"1378","market":"gbp_en","template":"default","searchKeywords":"https:\\\/\\\/www.amazon.co.uk\\\/Elgar-Circumstance-Marches-Cockaigne-Froissart\\\/dp\\\/B0000241DP\\\/ref=sr_1_2","excludeKeywords":"","geolocation":true,"limit":"4","priceRange":"12.6-23.4","sid":"term-classicalmusic-114-pcs-txt-pos"}'\"\/> <div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-explanatory-text\" body-copy-extra-small=\"\" editor-content=\"\"\/><\/div> <p><strong>London Philharmonic Orchestra \/ Sir Charles Mackerras<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-container"\" data-position=\""adhoc"\" hidden=\"\"> <h5 class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-title\" monetizer-title=\"\" style=\""background-color:\" color:=\"\"\/> <div id=\""monetizer__deals"\" data-type=\""price-comparison"\" data-config=\"'{"shopId":"1378","market":"gbp_en","template":"default","searchKeywords":"https:\\\/\\\/www.amazon.co.uk\\\/Elgar-Enigma-Variations-Circumstance-Marches\\\/dp\\\/B0027CAQ8K\\\/ref=sr_1_9","excludeKeywords":"","geolocation":true,"limit":"4","priceRange":"9.8-18.2","sid":"term-classicalmusic-114-pcs-txt-pos"}'\"\/> <div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-explanatory-text\" body-copy-extra-small=\"\" editor-content=\"\"\/><\/div> <iframe title=\""Spotify\" embed:=\"\" royal=\"\" philharmonic=\"\" orchestra=\"\" norman=\"\" del=\"\" mar=\"\" style=\""border-radius:\" width=\""100%"\" height=\""352"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\""autoplay;\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" loading=\""lazy"\" src=\""https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/artist\/29gUnTDtD1mi1lDp5gb77H?utm_source=oembed"\"\/>\n<section class=\""highlight\"><div class=\""highlight__content\" editor-content=\"\"> <ul><li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/how-did-elgar-help-poland-during-world-war-one\/"\">How did Elgar help Poland during World War One?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/five-essential-works-elgar\/"\">Five essential works by Elgar<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><p> <\/p><\/div> <\/section> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> A guide to Elgar’s rousing set of marches, which have been at the centre of many grand and state events including several coronations 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guide to Elgar's rousing set of marches, which have been at the centre of many grand and state events including several coronations","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/25403"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25404"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25403"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25403"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}