Books by Edward Elgar

Elgar's Serenade for Strings is a youthful work full of charm and elegance. Completed in 1892, it is most likely a reworking of a suite Elgar had written some years earlier and has been a long-standing favorite of string orchestras and audiences worldwide ever since its publication the same year. Even though the first known public performance was given in Antwerp on July 21, 1896, at least one movement was performed in Worcester by the Worcester Ladies' Orchestral Class in March 1892 under the composer's direction. Richard W. Sargeant, Jr.'s newly engraved edition showcases this brilliant work and is available for the enjoyment of professionals and amateurs alike. IMSLP page Wikipedia article

Elgar produced orchestral arrangements of three items (Nos.1, 3 and 6) from his own set of six songs for chorus and orchestra entitled "From the Bavarian Highlands" in the wake of the successful premiere at the Worcester Festival in April of 1896. The original settings, with text by Alice Elgar, were completed by April of the previous year and no doubt inspired by the Elgars' summer holidays spent in Garmisch, Bavaria. The orchestral suite was given its first performance at London's Crystal Palace on October 23, 1897 under August Manns. This new study score is a digitally-restored reproduction of the one first issued by Joseph Williams of London in 1901. In contrast to so many of the on-demand scores now available, this one comes with all the pages and the images have been thoroughly checked to make sure it is actually readable.

Composed for the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, Sea Pictures was heard for the first time on October 5, 1899 with also Clara Butt accompanied by the Festival Orchestra under the composer's direction. Elgar chose a five poems from five authors, including his wife (who provided the words for the second song). This new vocal score is a digitally enhanced reissue of the one first published in late 1899 by Boosey & Co., London. Unlike so many of the on-demand scores now available, this one comes with all the pages and the images have been thoroughly checked to make sure it is readable.