Sospiri
- For the Italian racing driver, see Vincenzo Sospiri.
Sospiri, Op. 70, is an adagio for string orchestra, harp and organ (or harmonium) composed by Edward Elgar just before the beginning of World War I.
Elgar originally intended it for violin and piano, as a companion piece to Salut d'Amour and had in mind the title Soupir d'Amour (French for "Sigh of Love"). While composing it, however, he realised that he was writing something more intense, and so chose an Italian word, sospiri, meaning "sighs".[1]
The work, with a performance time of approximately five minutes, was first performed on 15 August 1914 in Queen's Hall in London, conducted by Sir Henry Wood.
Sospiri was dedicated to Elgar's long-time friend, the violinist W. H. "Billy" Reed.[2]
External links
- Sospiri, Op. 70 on the site of the Elgar Society
- VIDEO: Elgar Sospiri arranged for cello and orchestra by Julian Milone performed by Natalie Clein and conducted by Vernon Handley
References
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