Sospiri
{{Short description|Elgar, opus 70}}
{{For|the Italian racing driver|Vincenzo Sospiri}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
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Sospiri, Op. 70, is an adagio for string orchestra, harp (or piano), and organ (or harmonium){{Cite web|url=http://imslp.org/wiki/Sospiri,_Op.70_(Elgar,_Edward) |title=IMSLP, Elgar: Sospiri |accessdate=2014-07-22}} composed by Edward Elgar just before and performed just after the beginning of World War I.
Elgar originally intended it for violin and piano, as a companion piece to Salut d'Amour and had in mind the title Soupir d'Amour (French for "Sigh of Love"). While composing it he realised that he was writing something more intense, and so chose an Italian word, sospiri, meaning "sighs".[http://www.cheltenhamsymphonyorchestra.info/prognotes.htm Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra: programme notes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721192202/http://www.cheltenhamsymphonyorchestra.info/prognotes.htm |date=2011-07-21 }}
The work, with a performance time of approximately five minutes, was first performed on 15 August 1914 in the Queen's Hall in London, conducted by Sir Henry Wood.
Sospiri was dedicated to Elgar's long-time friend, the violinist W. H. "Billy" Reed.[http://www.elgar.org/3sospiri.htm Elgar – His Music: Sospiri, Op.70]
Structure
Adagio 4/4 d minor
After the introduction of two bars, a melancholic melody is played by the first violin (Excerpt 1).
Excerpt 1
\relative c' \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } {
\key d \minor \time 4/4 \tempo "Quasi recit."
r8\fermata e'4\upbow \p \< (g8) a2~\> << a8 { s16 s16\! } >> a4( c8) d,2~ d8 c\<( d e\!) f--[ e--] d4~ d8 c-- d-- e~( e\>[ c]) c4\!
}
The other subject is displayed more passionately (Excerpt 2).
Excerpt 2A grace note appeared in third bar should be slashed.
\relative c' \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } {
\key d \minor \time 4/4 \partial 2..
a'8\mf ( a') a, g'2~ g8^\markup { \bold largamente } f\< e'\f \fermata f, d'2~
d8 es,\dim ( c'\!) es,, \grace es bes''2~_\markup { \dynamic p \italic dolce } \< bes8\! a,\>( g') f,\! f'2 \p
}
Excerpt 1 reappears, followed by dying end in the harmony of F major.
Notes & references
Notes
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References
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Sources
- Score, Elgar: Sospiri, Breitkopf & Härtel, Leipzig, 1914
External links
- [http://www.elgar.org/3sospiri.htm Sospiri, Op. 70] on the site of the Elgar Society, {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027102724/http://www.elgar.org:80/3sospiri.htm |date=27 October 2019}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPMoOk5GzXk "Sospiri, Op. 70" by Edward Elgar], with Sol Gabetta and the Danmarks Radio SymfoniOrkestret, at youtube.com
- {{IMSLP2|work=Sospiri,_Op.70_(Elgar,_Edward)}}
- {{allMusic|class=composition|id=mc0002366064}}
{{Edward Elgar}}
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Category:Compositions by Edward Elgar