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Love’s Greeting

Donald Macleod explores Elgar’s relationship with wife and greatest supporter: Lady Alice.

Edward Elgar was a man of many passions, from cycling to chemistry. This week, Donald Macleod explores five of the composer’s greatest loves. Elgar might never have made it as a composer without the unflinching support of his wife Alice, who believed in him even when he was a penniless piano teacher.

In today’s programme, Donald discovers the unlikely beginnings of Elgar and Alice’s love story.

Salut D’Amour, Op. 12
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Kathryn Stott, piano

The Wind at Dawn
Amanda Roocroft, soprano
Reinild Mees, piano

2 Partsongs, Op. 26: No. 2, Fly, Singing Bird
Radoslaw Szulc, violin
Julita Smoleń, violin
Max Hanft, piano
Bavarian Radio Chorus, conducted by Howard Arman

String Quartet in E minor, Op. 83: II. Piacevole. Poco andante
Brodsky Quartet

Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello
London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle

Produced by Alice McKee for ѿý Audio Wales & West

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Edward Elgar

    Salut D'Amour

    Performer: Yo‐Yo Ma. Performer: Kathryn Stott.
    • Sony : 88875103162.
    • Sony.
    • 9.
  • Edward Elgar

    The Wind at Dawn

    Performer: Reinild Mees. Singer: Amanda Roocroft.
    • CHANNEL CLASSICS : CCSSA-27507.
    • CHANNEL CLASSICS.
    • 12.
  • Edward Elgar

    Partsongs, Op 26 (No 2, Fly, Singing Bird)

    Performer: Radoslaw Szulc. Performer: Julita Smoleń. Performer: Max Hanft. Choir: Bavarian Radio Chorus. Conductor: Howard Arman.
    • BR KLASSIK : 900522.
    • BR KLASSIK.
    • 8.
  • Edward Elgar

    String Quartet in E minor, Op 83 (2nd mvt)

    Ensemble: Brodsky String Quartet.
    • CHANDOS : CHAN-10980.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 2.
  • Edward Elgar

    Cello Concerto in E minor, Op 85

    Performer: Sheku Kanneh‐Mason. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • DECCA : 485-024-1.
    • DECCA.
    • 3.

Broadcast

  • Tue 6 May 2025 16:00

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