After four terms of chamber music explorations in my ‘Mornings with a Masterpiece’ talks, we shall change genre and focus in Spring 2026, largely following suggestions from current students.
Edward Elgar is a fascinating figure, especially as he was self-educated, yet surpasses all of his English contemporaries in his achievement and in the lasting affection of his audiences. His success was hard-won: he had turned forty before he was widely recognised. This course will focus specifically on the years of his breakthrough, 1898-1900, and investigate the reasons for his sudden change of fortune.
The works from that period are familiar: Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma), the song cycle Sea Pictures, and the magnificent oratorio The Dream of Gerontius. In taking a deeper look at these works we have the chance to penetrate to the heart of Elgar’s affections and beliefs, and to understand more of his remarkable skills.
The course will run on two Thursday mornings in February, and will be repeated on Mondays in March. Further details and booking information can be found here: https://mancent.org.uk/?page_id=6910
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