Listening: Introductory Concepts

Selection: Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 Composer: Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934) This listening selection can be found in the lesson on "Can Music Have a Specific Purpose". The title of this piece comes from a line in Shakespeare's Othello ("Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!"), in 1901. This outwardly straightforward music is known as Elgar's most famous piece, as it is often played at graduation ceremonies. But it was not originally intended for graduations. Elgar's march …

…very mellow sound in the introduction, and the rich sound with the additions in the second section. With the repetitions of musical ideas, he utilizes excellent variations, thus giving the piece enough variety to keep it interesting, at the same time attaining unity. The popularity of this march reflects Elgar's ability to compose melodies that convey a complex of emotions. I conclude that this selection is very effective in utilizing unity, variety, dynamics, and timbre.