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Who was Edward Elgar? Music Composer. Date and Place of Birth: 2nd June 1857. Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire, England. Family Background: Son of an organist and music seller. Education: Left the local school at Age 15. Self taught as a composer. Chronology: 1880's: Taught the violin, played the organ at St. George's Catholic Church in Worcester and composed music for local musical organisations such as the Worcester Glee Club and the County Assylum Band. 1898: With works such as the Cantata "Caractacus", his reputation began to spread beyond the borders of Worcestershire. 1899: His first big hit with the public was the "Variations on an Original Theme" often known as the Enigma variations which were short biographical sketches of all his friends and family. The most famous of all was "Nimrod" about his best friend the publisher August Jaeger. 1900: The Oratorio "The "Dream of Gerontius" was first performed in Birmingham Town Hall. It is based on Cardinal Newman's Poem about a soul's journey, but due to inadequate rehearsals it was not received well by the public. 1901: Elgar was very depressed and continued writing and premiered the first of his "Pomp and Circumstance" Marches, the first of which was to become better known as the music for "Land of Hope and Glory". 1904: An all Elgar festival was held at Covent Garden and it was now obvious that he had arrived. (July) He was Knighted by King Edward the Seventh. 1907: Plans the "First Symphony" whilst traveling in Rome. 1908: Symphony No 1" first performed in Manchester. 1909: Traveling in Venice he has ideas for the "Second Symphony". 1911: "The "Violin Concerto" was dedicated to Fritz Kreisler who gave the first performance. The Second Symphony" is dedicated to the recently deceased King Edward the Seventh. 1914: Elgar was deeply saddened by the First World War and produced little work at this time except for a children's play called "Starlight Express". 1920: After the death of his wife, who had been the driving force behind his success, he became a virtual recluse. 1924: Made Mater of the Kings Musick. 1928: Made Knight Commander of the Victorian Order. He now began composing again in earnest working on plans for an opera "The Spanish Lady" and a third symphony. 1931: Made a Baronet. 1933: Flew to Paris to conduct his "Violin Concerto" with Yehudi Menuhin as soloist. Visited Delius whilst in France. Musical Works: 1890: "Froissart". 1896: "King Olaf". "Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands". 1897: "The Imperial March". 1898: "Caractacus". 1899: "Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma)". 1899: "Sea Pictures". 1900: "The Dream of Gerontius". 1901: "Cockaigne (In London Town)". "Pomp and Circumstance Marches No's 1 and 2". 1903: "The Apostles". 1904: "In the South". 1905: "Introduction and Allegro for Strings". 1906: "The Kingdom". 1908: Symphony No 1 in A Flat". 1910: "Violin Concerto in B Minor". 1911: "Symphony No 2 in E Flat". 1912: "The Music Makers". 1913: "Falstaff". 1915: "The Starlight Express". "The Spirit of England", 1917: "The Sanguine Fan". 1918: "Violin Sonata". 1919: "String Quartet". "Piano Quintet in A Minor". "Cello Concerto in E Minor". Marriage: 1889 to Caroline Alice Roberts one of his music pupils and daughter of Major-General Sir Henry Roberts. (died 1920). Places of Interest: BIRMINGHAM: Town Hall. WORCESTERSHIRE: Birthplace, Crown East Lane, Lower Broadheath, Worcester, WR2 6RH. Malvern Hills. Worcester. Date and Place of Death: 23rd February 1934, Marl Bank, Worcester, Worcestershire, England of a malignant tumour pressing on the sciatic nerve. Age at Death: 76. Site of Grave: St. Wulstan's Church, Little Malvern, England beside his wife.