by John Bean
For many classic music lovers Sir Edward Elgar stands head and shoulders above any other British composer and is the equal of the great German composers. Perhaps to refer to him in a music context as “British” is a misnomer, for apart from Land of Hope and Glory and the other inspiring patriotic music of his Pomp and Circumstance marches, much of his music is quintessentially English. None more so than with his Enigma Variations, Sea Pictures or the great Cello Concerto. Listening to the latter played by the tragic artist Jacqueline Du Pre, if your emotions are not moved to tears then although you may have rhythm you have no real music in your soul.
To return to reality, and to Land of Hope and Glory , this was the masterpiece of Elgar’s great popularity, including for so many patriots not given to listening to classical music. With this he gave the country its unofficial second national anthem – for which the liberal-left have never forgiven him. It is therefore not surprising that outside of classical music circles the 150th anniversary of last month went almost unnoticed, not least by the Arts Council England, which refused to help fund any notable celebration including a contribution for £174,000 towards a series of youth concerts.
To illustrate how politically correct and culturally decadent Arts Council England has become, in 2003 it paid a lecturer in the East Midlands £12,000 to kick an empty curry carton down a street. In 2005 it provided £65,000 to a homosexual club which was promoting drug use on its website. The British Council, which promotes what it considers to be British culture overseas, also failed to contribute funds to the celebrations.And who was it at the Bank of England who decided to remove the composer’s image from £20 notes in the anniversary year?
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