Elgar's Second Symphony, premiered in 1911, was met with an unenthusiastic reception, leading Elgar to comment on the audience's lack of engagement.
Composition History
Alun Hoddinott's Investiture Dances were commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to commemorate the Investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales in July 1969.
Compositional Technique
Alun Hoddinott's Investiture Dances are based on characteristics of Welsh folk music rather than specific pre-existing tunes.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Elgar described his Second Symphony as "the passionate pilgrimage of a soul" and felt he had "written out my soul" in it, along with his Violin Concerto and The Music Makers.
Performer Biography
The National Youth Orchestra of Wales, founded in 1945, is Europe's longest-standing national youth orchestra.
Performer Biography
Owain Arwel Hughes, the conductor on this album, founded the Welsh Proms in 1986 and has been its artistic director for 21 years.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Elgar placed a motto from Shelley's Invocation, "Rarely, rarely comest thou, Spirit of Delight!," at the head of the score for his Second Symphony.
