UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
After many a dusty mile, Wanderer, linger here awhile.
From The Greek Anthology
ELGAR ATTENDED his last Festival at Worcester in 1932. Of his own works there were included Gerontius, the first symphony, The Music Makers, For the Fallen, the Quintet and--a first performance --the orchestral version of the Severn Suite. Additionally the Festival opened with his arrangement of the National Anthem and the orchestral version, by Esser, of Bach Toccata in F, played as a voluntary at the conclusion of the Sunday afternoon service, was one which Elgar had revised many years before to conform with Bach's own score. There were other links with the past. Among the first violins was one who was not a member of the London Symphony Orchestra: J. W. Austin. He, seated at the back desk, was the last connection with the former days when most of the orchestra was recruited locally. He was also one to whom Elgar willingly acknowledged gratitude, for his help in proof reading and copying. On Thursday morning Beethoven Equali for four trombones were inserted between The Music Makers and Szymanowski's Stabat Mater. This addition to the programme was to honour Hugh Blair, who first had encouraged Elgar to great works and had remained his friend across the years.
During the Festival Elgar was inseparable from Bernard Shaw, who showed his appreciation of Elgar's attending the Malvern Festival by his presence at that of the Three Choirs. Elgar had opened a Shaw exhibition at Malvern in 1929 and it was then that Shaw publicly acknowledged that Elgar was a greater man than himself. Elgar looked fit and vigorous. As he walked down the centre aisle of the nave with Shaw he made a magnificent presence.
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