Edward Elgar : Sospiri op.70 for Strings Orchestra and Harp - Sweet and Romantic

NEWKINGOFWALZER
NEWKINGOFWALZER
70,710
0
Published 2011-04-03
Sospiri, Op. 70, is an adagio for string orchestra, harp and organ (or harmonium) composed by Edward Elgar just before the beginning of World War I.

Elgar originally intended it for violin and piano, as a companion piece to Salut d'Amour and had in mind the title Soupir d'Amour (French for "Sigh of Love"). While composing it, however, he realised that he was writing something more intense, and so chose an Italian word, sospiri, meaning "sighs".

The work, with a performance time of approximately five minutes, was first performed on 15 August 1914 in Queen's Hall in London, conducted by Sir Henry Wood.

Sospiri was dedicated to Elgar's long-time friend, the violinist W. H. "Billy" Reed.
All Comments (21)
  • @nervousharpist
    Sir Edward Elgar attended the same school as I, and I had no idea until recently!! I should learn this harp part.
  • @MarkSeibold
    When I first heard this playing on our local classical radio KQAC All Classical Cal radio in Portland just minutes a English Chamber Orchestra, I mistook it at first, for one of Heino Eller's, five pieces for string orchestra. Because those Five Pieces for String Orchestra by Heino Eller, are probably my favorite classical works of all time. I would now have to also include this Edward Elgar work.
  • @rogerpowe1748
    this moving piece reveals the contemplative side of a complex and lonely old man and the deep sadness often present in so much of his music
  • @shodanart
    Thank you for posting this exquisite melancholy piece! 💔
  • @TheChill4u
    Beautiful Video, I'm glad, that you shared me this masterpiece, Thank You So Much, my dear friend! :-)
  • @christophernunn943
    So beautiful and almost before it's time. I only discovered this a couple of days ago, very seldom heard and yet this is a hidden gem. It could easily be a romantic modern day film theme, very little to betray Elgar here. The very striking thing is somehow I'm hearing in the opening ''John Barry'' in this piece!! and makes me wonder if Barry had heard it long ago and was suitably impressed to adopt his distinctive music modeled on this outstanding expressive deep soul searching masterpiece.
  • @frankmacdulligan1153
    Este precioso "adagio" titulado "Sospiri", se adelanta en unos años, al que  Samuel Barber, escribiese con tanto éxito. Pieza tardo-romántica de Elgar, que dedicó a su querida esposa. 
  • @kelamuni
    You should credit who is playing this.