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AIBU?

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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:
BodgerLovesMashedPotato · 29/05/2023 00:30

LunaLoveFood · 28/05/2023 19:22

The name rings a bell, but can't put my finger on why.

Same

Catsmere · 29/05/2023 00:31

I’m Australian and not remotely musical and I know who Sir Edward Elgar was! Pomp and Circumstance, the Coronation ode …

Pieceofpurplesky · 29/05/2023 00:41

To the PP blaming the state of education - there is only so much time. Would you expect a child to know every author? Artist? Inventor?
It is impossible to cover everything in such a rigid and restrictive curriculum.
I know of Elgar through my parents and Sunday School.

TheShellBeach · 29/05/2023 00:49

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.

Elgar is my favourite composer. I've visited the birthplace museum.

I'm not surprised people haven't heard of him, though.

Nobody seems to know anything about classical music these days.

I've sung in some of his choral works.

He was the most famous Master of the King's Music we've ever had.

TheShellBeach · 29/05/2023 00:52

If you think about the Last Night of the Proms, I bet most people wouldn't be able to tell you who composed Jerusalem or Rule Britannia, either.

Catsmere · 29/05/2023 01:17

TheShellBeach · 29/05/2023 00:52

If you think about the Last Night of the Proms, I bet most people wouldn't be able to tell you who composed Jerusalem or Rule Britannia, either.

I know Thomas Arne wrote Rule, Britannia, but had to Google for Parry. Don’t think I’ve ever knowingly heard Jerusalem.

luckylavender · 29/05/2023 06:43

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?

I think lots of people wouldn't know who he is

GoodChat · 29/05/2023 06:45

Oh I know Land of Hope and Glory!

Maybe we're not 'becoming a nation of uneducated heathens' after all...

PriamFarrl · 29/05/2023 09:06

I do have to say though that when you said ‘Edward Elgar’ without any context then it took my slightly longer than if you’d said ‘classical composer, Edward Elgar’.

I cannot believe there are people saying they’ve never heard Land of Hope and Glory or Jerusalem.

frockhopper · 29/05/2023 09:19

JudgeJ · 28/05/2023 22:15

Those who have never heard of himwould probably recognise the Pomp and Circumstance March, tune of Land of Hope and Glory.

Show quote history

I can hum the first bit of Land of Hope and Glory so you’re right I think!

KimberleyClark · 29/05/2023 09:21

I remember - must have been ten years ago or more - watching University Challenge. It was an Oxford team v a Cambridge team. There was a musical starter, it was the JS Bach cantata Sheep May Safely Graze, and nobody could even identify the composer. Jeremy Paxman looked disgusted.

viques · 29/05/2023 09:26

Lifeinlists · 28/05/2023 22:50

I think you've nailed it there. Also it's an indictment of our education system along with a general race to the bottom where culture and the arts are concerned. Serious music is often seen as an oddity in this country but it's disappointing if people have never heard of one of our greatest composers.

Show quote history

It’s the same issue when people proudly boast they are “no good at maths”. No one ever boasts that they are not able to read very well .

I think the last round in the quiz QI, which they call General Ignorance was named with a tongue very firmly in a cheek. I don’t know why British people have this weird attitude towards learning, and actually, no I don’t think its to do with failures in the education system , I think it is to do with a much wider attitude that intelligence, having an interest in the wider worlds of science, art, music ,literature, politics etc is somehow seen as ‘showing off’. And it isn’t a class thing either, I have met people from all walks of life who love learning , and equally, people from all walks of life who revel in their ignorance.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 29/05/2023 09:37

Millicentmargaretamandaholden · 28/05/2023 19:59

Heard of him via normal primary state school in Essex during the 90s. Like and would recognise enigma variations. Dislike but know the words to pomp and circumstance

Elgar very much disliked the words later put to this music to create Land of Hope and Glory. He said it was jingoistic.

I have known who Elgar was since I was a child but I am in my late 60s and my family always listened to a classical music request programme on the radio at home on Sundays (Your Hundred Best Tunes for other oldies who might remember that programme). We also had music lessons at school and a choir.

polkadotdalmation · 29/05/2023 09:46

I'd bet if people heard some of him music, they would recognise it, but not know the name.

I know Edward Elgar (composer (early 20C?)). I also know Sia (on my playlist).

polkadotdalmation · 29/05/2023 09:48

Royalbloo · 28/05/2023 19:28

The composer? If yes then only because my Nan had Four Seasons at her funeral

Four seasons was Vivaldi!

MamaDollyorJesus · 29/05/2023 09:48

StarbucksSmarterSister · 28/05/2023 21:09

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

Are you English?

Scottish - so wouldn't have seen him on £20 notes either as while we do have Bank of England notes in circulation it's mostly Scottish notes changing hands when I do use cash.

5foot5 · 29/05/2023 09:48

He is one of my favourite composers, love so many of his pieces. I would have thought several of his works would be recognised by nearly every person in the UK even if they didn't know who composed it.

I am 60 and went to a state comprehensive. I am also a member of NT but haven't been to his birthplace. I knew he lived somewhere in the Malvern area. I live in the North West. I wouldn't make a special journey but if I was staying in the area I would go

5foot5 · 29/05/2023 10:00

MamaDollyorJesus · 28/05/2023 20:42

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.

There are no words....

And interesting that you would choose to damage your eyes to avoid listening to it.
Wouldn't shoving cheese in your ears be more appropriate?

Millicentmargaretamandaholden · 29/05/2023 10:10

@mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork I’m glad to know that.

MamaDollyorJesus · 29/05/2023 10:15

@5foot5 why are there no words?

Because people don't like some things & will actively avoid them wherever possible?

I'm not some uneducated heathen as has been suggested upthread of those of us who've never heard of the guy - I have read many of the classics & enjoy art but classical music gives me a sore head & I avoid listening to it wherever possible.

chupachucks · 29/05/2023 10:30

Heard of him yes only just, would it make me want to visit his home no certainly not.

Many other places I'd rather go.

Mars27 · 29/05/2023 10:49

MamaDollyorJesus · 29/05/2023 10:15

@5foot5 why are there no words?

Because people don't like some things & will actively avoid them wherever possible?

I'm not some uneducated heathen as has been suggested upthread of those of us who've never heard of the guy - I have read many of the classics & enjoy art but classical music gives me a sore head & I avoid listening to it wherever possible.

Out of curiosity, what are your musical tastes? Not a dig, just a legit question borne of curiosity.

Clevs · 29/05/2023 11:02

SleazyLizzard · 29/05/2023 00:11

I’ve heard of him and I’m not at all into music, I prefer talk radio R4 mostly. Where his house ? I might give it a visit.

Worcester

MamaDollyorJesus · 29/05/2023 11:03

@Mars27 my preference is country music (I know I'm not doing anything to dispel the uneducated heathen theory here 🙈😂) but I can listen to anything other than classical or heavy metal as both give me a sore head, as does listening to anyone playing the bagpipes which as a Scottish person living in Scotland makes weddings a nightmare!

KimberleyClark · 29/05/2023 11:08

MamaDollyorJesus · 29/05/2023 11:03

@Mars27 my preference is country music (I know I'm not doing anything to dispel the uneducated heathen theory here 🙈😂) but I can listen to anything other than classical or heavy metal as both give me a sore head, as does listening to anyone playing the bagpipes which as a Scottish person living in Scotland makes weddings a nightmare!

Not all classical music is loud orchestral music!