When Edward Elgar unveiled his First Symphony at the turn of the 20th century, the UK was languishing in the depths of economic recession. Elgar, though, saw past that. In his symphony he seized on a flicker of optimism, describing it as 'a massive hope for the future'. A moving, noble melody appears at first fragile and tender. But when it returns at the symphony's end, it's revived and encouraged with gestures of support from the strings and woodwind, who throw themselves at the orchestral procession with a spirit of inextinguishable optimism. After the elegiac songs of Delius's Sea Drift, Mark Elder's Elgar feels palpably contemporary and inspiring. London Philharmonic Orchestra - Delius & Elgar website.| 24 Mar 12 | Southbank Centre West End, Greater London Performance Details => Venue archive |
