Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1

The Pomp and Circumstance March in D by Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) began appearing at graduations as long ago as 1905. The U.S. premiere took place that year at Yale, where Elgar had been invited to receive an honorary degree—and the rest, as they say, is history. . . . Its signature tune also accompanied the coronation of George VII in 1902, for which the composer himself added the lyrics “Land of Hope and Glory.” As is often the case, the tune we all know is only one part of a larger work. In fact, Elgar wrote five different “Pomp and Circumstance” marches between 1901 and 1930; a sixth was sketched but not completed. Like his popular Enigma Variations, each march is dedicated or makes reference to one of the composer’s friends. The March No. 1 in D major, “dedicated to my friend Alfred E. Rodewald and the members of the Liverpool Orchestral Society,” was written in 1901. It played to great success at the Proms that fall and has been a staple of the classical concert hall ever since.
The work opens with a short introduction before the first march theme strides onto the scene, filled with vigor and panache. A bridge passage, leading to the central Trio melody, is built on material from the introduction and culminates with an emphatic cadence. As that cadence dies away, we hear the quiet first steps of the famous Trio theme. Elgar reprises the opening march and bridge passage, preparing for a grand restatement of the Trio and short coda. After a hundred years of graduations, no one can hear this beautiful melody with fresh ears; we all carry some memory associated with it. Yet the music itself is a brilliant, simple, infectious march. Given its history in America, this music conveys much more than “pomp.” It rings out the passage from youth to first maturity. And who can ponder that time in their life without some nostalgia?

(c) Jason Stell