2 new Elgar songs discovered

Did you hear? Two new songs by one of our favourite composers, Sir Edward Elgar, have been discovered: The Milwheel (Winter) and The Muleteer’s Serenade have been uncovered in his sketchbooks at the British Library.

His wife, Alice, had noted these two pieces’ composition in her diary but the music was incorporated into Elgar’s 1896 cantata King Olaf and it was believed that no copies of the original scores remained. However, researchers from Elgar Works found pages of ideas and were able to work backwards to reveal both songs.

Discoverer of the works John Norris said: “We all know songs like Land of Hope and Glory – people love it but it’s certainly not his greatest song. I’m hoping this will lead to a greater exploration of all his song repertoire.”

Both are due to be performed at the Elgar Birthplace Museum on June 2nd, Elgar’s 156th birthday, and all this has put us in the mood to listen to another of our favourite of his compositions, his cello concerto, played by Jacqueline du Pre.

Enjoy!