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Original poster

Most people will have heard of...

253 replies

jeffhasgoodhair · 28/05/2023 19:20

Edward Elgar.

DH on a long speakerphone conversation with his parents now talking about the potential closing of Elgar's Birthplace by the National Trust due to lack of footfall.

They think the problem is that no one 'these days' knows who he is.

Could I be biased as I live where he lived therefore know people who have lived in one of his properties, have been in venues he frequented, know roads named after him and see statues everywhere... therefore I think he's more significant than he is?

OP posts:
Original poster
jeffhasgoodhair · 28/05/2023 20:10

JayAlfredPrufrock · 28/05/2023 20:09

I was in Tesco earlier and a women in her mid 50s was staring at the shelves and asking her friend what an iceberg lettuce looked like. Her friend pointed out she was looking at the cabbages.

I wonder if she knows who Elgar is 🤔

😂

OP posts:
dwightschrutebeets · 28/05/2023 20:10

I'm 31 and I've never heard of him

passthegingordon · 28/05/2023 20:11

@JayAlfredPrufrock😂

RaininSummer · 28/05/2023 20:11

I am surprised so few have heard of him. I'm not into classical music but know the names and styles of many composers. Unsure where I got this from but I suppose music at school must have been more informative than I thought. That and university challenge.

BitOutOfPractice · 28/05/2023 20:11

Ah I see what you mean @GoodChat!

I see the Black Country contingent is here in force @Lidlpopdrinker 😂

usernother · 28/05/2023 20:11

I've heard of him

Original poster
jeffhasgoodhair · 28/05/2023 20:12

I confess I've not even visited the birthplace since it opened to the public with NT as the opening hours were too random and it was never open when I could go,

In-laws on the other hand are regulars at concerts there.

OP posts:
LyndaSnellsSniff · 28/05/2023 20:13

Elgar's Nimrod is my absolute favourite piece of classical music. I watch Remembrance Day at The Senotaph every year just to hear it played by a military orchestra. The circumstances of Remembrance Day add extra weight to its power.

This is an astonishing vocal version

https://fb.watch/kPo9376yIq/

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https://fb.watch/kPo9376yIq

Doublegloucester · 28/05/2023 20:13

Surprised so many haven’t heard of him - he’s a pretty famous composer. Chanson de matin is one of my faves. 30s.

Owlglasses · 28/05/2023 20:15

Yes I've heard of him.

This article seems to explain that the NT aren't closing the museum, they've been managing it on a 5 year contract and that's coming to an end in October. During the five years the house saw a huge rise in visitor numbers and the reduced footfall happened during the Covid pandemic so was due to lack of opportunity and not lack of interest or knowledge.

https://www.restoretrust.org.uk/comment/save-the-firs-a-message-from-the-elgar-society-to-its-members

Save the Firs: A message from the Elgar Society to its members — Restore Trust

No doubt you will know that the entire Birthplace site was taken over by the National Trust on a five year trial basis.  This period is due to expire in October 2023 and as a result, the NT will be considering whether or not to continue to take r...

https://www.restoretrust.org.uk/comment/save-the-firs-a-message-from-the-elgar-society-to-its-members

anythinginapinch · 28/05/2023 20:16

I'm ancient and grew up with classical music boffs. I've heard of him

diddl · 28/05/2023 20:16

I've heard of him but not sure how.

I really can't remember what we studied in music at school tbh.

More than likely from an LP/78 of my Dad's & watching Last Night of the Proms.

Just had a look at the NT website.

Looks like a lovely place but pretty pricey.

CuntingSheep · 28/05/2023 20:16

LizzieSiddal · 28/05/2023 20:02

It’s shocking that people don’t know who he is. And a sad indictment of our education system. I only know because I like to listen to Classic FM. Didn’t know about him from school at all.

There are huge questions being begged here (and I am using this expression in its correct sense).

I know about Elgar and Lizzie Siddal and J.Alfred Prufrock (to pick on two MN usernames on this thread) because my entire upbringing was cultural/artistic/educated. So it didn't matter that my school neglected all of this (14 years at a 70s/80s super-selective independent girls' school, so one might have expected more). But can any school ever adequately fill the gaps in an impoverished (culturally/intellectually speaking) upbringing?

ShadowPuppets · 28/05/2023 20:18

BrunchMonster · 28/05/2023 19:26

I've definitely heard of him. I didn't know there was a NT place where he was born though. I might have gone if I'd known.
I bet loads of people recognise his music though - Nimrod variation ,Pomp and Circumstance, etc, even if they don't know they're by him. And they probably quite like some of it too, even if they think they don't like classical music!

Same as above. 34, not terribly musical, South East. And NT member!

Timesawastin · 28/05/2023 20:18

GoodChat · 28/05/2023 19:21

I've never heard of him.

You're missing some great music. Have a listen to his Cello Concerto, preferably the du Pre/Barenboim recording. It'll be on YouTube.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 28/05/2023 20:19

Soozikinzii · 28/05/2023 19:46

Yes I have definitely heard of Elgar .just search Elgars čello concerto played by Jacqueline du Pre for anyonecwho hasnt ! O my my !

DS (14) is (bizarrely) into classical music. I introduced him to this recently and he loves it. He's played it for himself, not just when I've played it to him (by "play" I mean via Amazon music, I'm not a 'cellist).

wigywhoo · 28/05/2023 20:21

I live down the road, I've heard of him and love classical music. I have been - but to be honest he was my only there until he was about 4, so the location always seemed a bit tenuous. The house has lots of later Elgar things but they could go elsewhere?

RoseAdage · 28/05/2023 20:25

Very surprised people haven’t heard of him- seems on a par with not having heard of eg Wordsworth.

That said, although I am a huge classical music enthusiast, it’s never crossed my mind to visit his birthplace.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 28/05/2023 20:25

Was he from / near Worcester / Malvern area?

I'm sure I've been somewhere where there's an Elgar route - but I may be wrong .

diddl · 28/05/2023 20:27

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 28/05/2023 20:19

DS (14) is (bizarrely) into classical music. I introduced him to this recently and he loves it. He's played it for himself, not just when I've played it to him (by "play" I mean via Amazon music, I'm not a 'cellist).

Show quote history

Nothing at all bizarre about being into classical music at 14!

LumpySpaceGoddess · 28/05/2023 20:29

Never heard of him sorry, I’m in my early 30s if that makes any difference

PurBal · 28/05/2023 20:34

I am genuinely surprised that people haven’t heard of him. (Early thirties, not musical.)

continentallentil · 28/05/2023 20:36

I am not musical but have heard of him and heard his music.

Slightly shocked that so many haven’t, but then music is disappearing from state schools, so..

WarningToTheCurious · 28/05/2023 20:37

I went to a crap comp in the 70s/80s and know about Elgar.

sanityisamyth · 28/05/2023 20:37

devildeepbluesea · 28/05/2023 19:23

Yeah I think you probably are a bit biased. I’m quite musical so know who he is. Gotta be honest though, I’m not really interested in where he was from!

This.