Most people will have heard of...

[jeffhasgoodhair]

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?

I'm not musical and I know who he is.

I'm not musical and don't particularly go out of my way to listen to classical music, but like a pp, I listen to the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph because of Nimrod.

Never heard of him & having googled Land of Hope & Glory I can honestly say I've never heard it before - but then I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than listen to classical music.

Without reading any other posts for clues, the name rings a bell, maybe classical music? I don’t know specifically though and wouldn’t put any money to my guess!

I've heard of him. I have no musical ability or interest in classical music.

I wouldn't be interested in visiting his birthplace though.

He's my favourite composer, his cello concerto hits me in the gut every time

I could have told you he wrote Land of Hope and Glory, and also that he used to be on £20 notes (the latter probably only because of a scene in Peep Show though tbh).

I wouldn't go out of my way to visit his birthplace but if I was in the area and there was a good NT café I might.

This makes me really sad, though I’m not really surprised. So few
people seem to listen to classical music these days….

Edward Elgar is in the "Life in the Uk Test" (foreigners have to pass the test to apply permanent residency/citizenship). It seems most Uk-born natives cannot pass the test

Salut D’Amour and Nimrod are favourites….

You're correct.

Elgar Route is everywhere.

I’ve been to his birthplace - such a shame if it closes. Really interesting museum and they offered musical concerts in the visitor centre.

if imagine more people would recognise his music (certainly Pomp and Circumstance!) than would recognise his name?

Interesting! Will send this to the in-laws!

Most people in this thread (unless very young) will have had a picture of him in their wallet. He was on the £20 note from 1999 until withdrawn in 2010.

Never heard of him

I certainly know who he is. People who don't, will almost certainly recognise his work.

I'm a bit shocked they plan to shut his birthplace. He always seems the essence of England to me.

I've heard of him. Hugely famous composer. I do like the Proms though.

having googled Land of Hope & Glory I can honestly say I've never heard it before

Are you English?

I wonder if the people who have never heard of Elgar also have never heard of Purcell, Handel, Holst, Britten and Vaughan Williams?

I know who Elgar is (though couldn't have told you his first name so it took a few seconds to click when I read your OP). I'd have been able to tell you that he composed Pomp and Circumstance/ Land of Hope and Glory, but nothing beyond that.

FWIW, I'm 28, state school education, very little in the way of music lessons and no ear for music. I quite like some classical music, though have no interest in Elgar particularly.

Everyone in Worcester has heard of him. “Meet you by the Elgar statue” is a very standard phrase here…

Are music lessons not a thing anymore unless you’re learning an instrument? In my day we all did music lessons up to 14, learnt to read music, learnt about classical music and the composers, and we were all taught the recorder. I’m gobsmacked someone wouldn’t know who Edward Elgar is.

Well that's depressing then. I grew up in Germany and we studied Elgar. Admittedly this was in a music history class that addressed the topic of different types of nationalistic music.

Yes I know of Elgar.
It's quite sad that so many people don't have much knowledge of composers, artists and writers.

*27, not 28. Getting slightly ahead of myself there.