Edward Elgar (1857-1934) was noted by some to be the greatest English composer since George F. Handel, but today, most Americans only have familiarity with “Pomp and Circumstance” (1901). Like Claude Debussy, a contemporary and, perhaps, the greatest of the French composers, he would die of inoperable colorectal cancer. Graduations are an important point in life – a chance to reflect on all that has been learned and accomplished. One of my great privileges of life has been to perform Pomp and Circumstance on grand pianos for all three of my children as they graduated from high school.
Let’s be honest – any piece of music played over and over and over and over again, whether it is “Just As I Am” or “Pomp and Circumstance,” can get rather “monotonous,” “old” and “boring.” However, the orchestral version from Elgar carries a great deal of excitement, and if you have a good instrument and someone who plays it with excitement, I can promise you that it can be a treasured moment and memory. Even “Pomp and Circumstance.” Even graduation.
Dr. Fred Hardwicke practices medical oncology at Childress Regional Medical Center (CRMC), 901 U.S. Hwy 83. To contact CRMC, call 940-937-6371.
