Composer

:

Edward Elgar

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Part Song

Compose Date

:

1914

Average_duration

:

3:53

"Death on the Hills, Op. 72" is a choral work composed by Edward Elgar in 1914. The piece was premiered on October 22, 1914, at the Birmingham Festival, with Elgar conducting the City of Birmingham Choir and the London Symphony Orchestra. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a poem by Elgar's friend and collaborator, Robert Bridges. The first movement, "The Shepherds," is a pastoral setting of Bridges' poem about shepherds who witness a vision of the Virgin Mary. The second movement, "The Swimmer," is a dramatic depiction of a swimmer who drowns in the sea. The final movement, "The Banner of St. George," is a patriotic tribute to England and its soldiers. Elgar's music in "Death on the Hills" is characterized by its lush harmonies, rich orchestration, and expressive melodies. The choral writing is particularly notable, with Elgar using the choir to create a sense of drama and emotion. The orchestration is also highly effective, with Elgar using a wide range of instruments to create a variety of textures and colors. Overall, "Death on the Hills" is a powerful and moving work that showcases Elgar's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both beautiful and emotionally resonant.

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