Pomp and Circumstance March No.2 in A minor Op.39 No.2

Op.39 No.2

Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

Pomp and Circumstance March No.2 in A minor Op.39 No.2

The first two of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance Marches - the title comes from Shakespeare’s line “Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war!” - were first performed by the Liverpool Orchestral Society in October 1901. While the First in D major was a big success, and a positive sensation when it was conducted by Henry Wood at a Queen’s Hall Prom two days later, the Second in A minor went almost unnoticed. The reason is not difficult to find: unlike the First, the Second does not have a big hymn-like tune that could carry such words as “Land of hope and glory” that were later addied to its companion. It is no less attractive a march for that, however. Tense rather than regal to begin with, as though advancing on some dangerous objective, it features a woodwind melody which, though not exactly resplendent with patriotic fervour, is cheerful enough to change the mood of the piece from apprehension to keen anticipation.