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{{Short description|Song cycle by Edward Elgar}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Italic title}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
'''''Sea Pictures, Op. 37''''' is a song cycle by Sir [[Edward Elgar]] consisting of five songs written by various poets. It was set for [[contralto]] and orchestra, though a distinct version for piano was often performed by Elgar. Many [[mezzo-soprano]]s have sung the piece.
'''''Sea Pictures, Op. 37''''' is a song cycle by Sir [[Edward Elgar]] consisting of five songs written by various poets. It was set for [[contralto]] and orchestra, though a distinct version for piano was often performed by Elgar. Many [[mezzo-soprano]]s have sung the piece.


The songs are:<ref>Kennedy, p.344–345</ref>
The songs are:<ref>Kennedy, p.344–345</ref>
* "[[Sea Slumber Song]]" by [[Roden Noel]]
* "[[Sea Slumber Song]]" by [[Roden Noel]] (approximately 4 minutes)
* "[[In Haven|In Haven (Capri)]]" by [[Caroline Alice Elgar]], the composer's wife
* "[[In Haven|In Haven (Capri)]]" by [[Caroline Alice Elgar]], the composer's wife (under 2 minutes)
* "[[Sabbath Morning at Sea]]" by [[Elizabeth Barrett Browning]]
* "[[Sabbath Morning at Sea]]" by [[Elizabeth Barrett Browning]] (approximately 4 minutes)
* "[[Where Corals Lie]]" by [[Richard Garnett (writer)|Richard Garnett]]
* "[[Where Corals Lie]]" by [[Richard Garnett (writer)|Richard Garnett]] (approximately 3 minutes)
* "[[The Swimmer (poem)|The Swimmer]]" by [[Adam Lindsay Gordon]]
* "[[The Swimmer (poem)|The Swimmer]]" by [[Adam Lindsay Gordon]] (approximately 5 minutes)


Much of the vocal line of the first song, "Sea Slumber Song," is heard again in other parts of the cycle; most notably, the second stanza is heard again almost in its entirety as part of the finale.
Much of the vocal line of the first song, "Sea Slumber Song", is heard again in other parts of the cycle; most notably, the second stanza is heard again almost in its entirety as part of the finale.


== History ==
== History ==
Elgar composed the piece on his 1844 Broadwood Square piano while residing at Birchwood Lodge, Great Storridge in [[Herefordshire]]. The songs were originally written in high keys for a [[soprano]] voice, but transposed to lower keys for the orchestral version, largely at the request of the contralto [[Clara Butt]].{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} The songs were composed in July 1899 (apart from "[[In Haven|In Haven (Capri)]]", which was a reworking of his 1897 "[[Love alone will stay]]").<ref name=K101>Kennedy, p.101</ref>
Elgar composed the piece on his 1894 Broadwood Square piano while residing at Birchwood Lodge, Great Storridge in [[Herefordshire]]. The songs were originally written in high keys for a [[soprano]] voice, but transposed to lower keys for the orchestral version, largely at the request of the contralto [[Clara Butt]].{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} The songs were composed in July 1899 (apart from "[[In Haven|In Haven (Capri)]]", which was a reworking of his 1897 "[[Love alone will stay]]").<ref name=K101>Kennedy, p.101</ref>


The premiere was on 5 October 1899 at the [[Norfolk and Norwich Festival]] with Elgar himself conducting and [[Clara Butt]] singing, dressed as a mermaid.<ref name=K101/> On 7 October, Clara Butt gave the first London performance at [[St James's Hall|St. James's Hall]], with Elgar at the piano. Nearly two weeks later, on 20 October, Butt performed it for [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]] at [[Balmoral Castle|Balmoral]].
The premiere was on 5 October 1899 at the [[Norfolk and Norwich Festival]] with Elgar himself conducting and [[Clara Butt]] singing, dressed as a mermaid.<ref name=K101/> On 7 October, Clara Butt gave the first London performance at [[St James's Hall|St. James's Hall]], with Elgar at the piano. Nearly two weeks later, on 20 October, Butt performed it for [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]] at [[Balmoral Castle|Balmoral]].
Line 20: Line 21:
Until August 1900, Elgar's songs had been published by [[Novello & Co|Novello]]: but Elgar had a disagreement with them, and from then his songs, including "[[The Pipes of Pan]]" and ''Sea Pictures'' were published by [[Boosey & Hawkes]], who bought the copyright for £50, with a small royalty per copy of the songs published separately.
Until August 1900, Elgar's songs had been published by [[Novello & Co|Novello]]: but Elgar had a disagreement with them, and from then his songs, including "[[The Pipes of Pan]]" and ''Sea Pictures'' were published by [[Boosey & Hawkes]], who bought the copyright for £50, with a small royalty per copy of the songs published separately.


''Sea Pictures'' was published in the following languages:
''Sea Pictures'' was also published in the following languages:
* German: ''See-Bilder'' with words by Dr. Wilhelm Henzen
* German: ''See-Bilder'' with words by Dr. Wilhelm Henzen
* French: ''Marines'' with words by George Petilleau.
* French: ''Marines'' with words by George Petilleau.


== Recordings ==
== Other versions ==
While the cycle is heard most often in its canonical form for contralto and symphony orchestra, it can also be performed as a work for voice and piano, and in recent years some sopranos have taken up the work using Elgar's original keys.
⚫
* The first recording, of "In Haven" and "Where Corals Lie", was made on 10 November 1922, by [[Leila Megane]] (contralto) with Elgar conducting the Royal Albert Hall Orchestra. The same parties recorded the remaining three songs on 8 January 1923. These acoustic recordings were made for [[The Gramophone Company]] and appeared under the H.M.V. label, on 2 discs D674-5.<ref>Kennedy, p.366</ref> This can be heard on ''The Elgar Edition'' GEMMCDS 9951–5 ([http://www.pavilionrecords.com/ Pavilion Records])


In 2010, the British composer Donald Fraser made a version of Sea Pictures for [[SATB]] chorus and strings. The first recording of that version was made by the [[English Chamber Orchestra]], Rodolfus Choir and conductor [[Kenneth Woods]] in [[Abbey Road Studios]] in 2013. Fraser's arrangement was hailed by Stephen Johnson in BBC Music Magazine as "beautifully realised, performed with warmth and understanding, and sympathetically recorded."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eso.co.uk/cd-review-bbc-music-magazine-on-elgar-sea-pictures-and-piano-quintet-arr-donald-fraser/|title=Elgar arr. Fraser - Piano Quintet and Sea Pictures.|last=Johnson|first=Stephen|date=July 2016|website=BBC Music Magazine}}</ref>
⚫
* [[Larisa Avdeyeva]], [[State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Russian Federation|USSR State Symphony Orchestra]], [[Yevgeny Svetlanov]]. ''Edward Elgar Sea Pictures & Symphony No. 2'' (recorded live at the Grand Hall of the Moscow State Conservatory, 11 April 1977. Sung in Russian; translations by Natalia Rozhdestvenskaya). Scribendum SC 032

⚫
* [[Janet Baker]], [[London Symphony Orchestra]], conductor Sir [[John Barbirolli]] (1965) is available on many EMI CDs (only some of which include texts), for example ''Elgar: Cello Concerto; Cockaigne; Sea Pictures'', EMI Classics 5 62886 2
Fraser has also made a version of the work for SATB chorus and large symphony orchestra.

== Recording ==

⚫
*The first recording, of "In Haven" and "Where Corals Lie", was made on 10 November 1922, by [[Leila Megane]] (contralto) with Elgar conducting the Royal Albert Hall Orchestra. The same parties recorded the remaining three songs on 8 January 1923. These acoustic recordings were made for [[The Gramophone Company]] and appeared under the H.M.V. label, on 2 discs D674-5.<ref>Kennedy, p.366 {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/911661209 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/886685269 cite #3 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> This can be heard on ''The Elgar Edition'' GEMMCDS 9951–5 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20080513090804/http://www.pavilionrecords.com/ Pavilion Records])
⚫
*[[Larisa Avdeyeva]], [[State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Russian Federation|USSR State Symphony Orchestra]], [[Yevgeny Svetlanov]]. ''Edward Elgar Sea Pictures & Symphony No. 2'' (recorded live at the Grand Hall of the Moscow State Conservatory, 11 April 1977. Sung in Russian; translations by Natalia Rozhdestvenskaya). Scribendum SC 032
⚫
*[[Janet Baker]], [[London Symphony Orchestra]], conductor Sir [[John Barbirolli]] (1965) is available on many EMI CDs (only some of which include texts), for example ''Elgar: Cello Concerto; Cockaigne; Sea Pictures'', EMI Classics 5 62886 2
* Dame Janet Baker, [[London Philharmonic Orchestra]], [[Vernon Handley]] ''London Philharmonic Orchestra plays Elgar'' LPO – LPO0016-0020 (recorded live 1984)
* Dame Janet Baker, [[London Philharmonic Orchestra]], [[Vernon Handley]] ''London Philharmonic Orchestra plays Elgar'' LPO – LPO0016-0020 (recorded live 1984)
*[[Rodolfus Choir]], [[English Chamber Orchestra]], [[Kenneth Woods]]. 2013, recorded on 31 July 2013 in Abbey Road Studios. Avie Records AV2362. Version for SATB choir and string orchestra arr. Donald Fraser, coupled with Fraser's orchestration of Elgar's Piano Quintet.
* [[Muriel Brunskill]] ''Elgar's Interpreters on Record Volume 2 – Historic Recordings'' (also includes recording by [[Clara Butt]]) Dutton CDAX8020
*[[Muriel Brunskill]] ''Elgar's Interpreters on Record Volume 2 – Historic Recordings'' (also includes recording by [[Clara Butt]]) Dutton CDAX8020
*[[Clara Butt]], Unidentified Orchestra, [[Hamilton Harty]] "Where corals lie" only. ''Dame Clara Butt (1872–1936)'' Prima Voce NI 7912. (Recording is also on ''Dame Clara Butt: Britain's Queen of Song'' GEM 0086)
*[[Clara Butt]], Unidentified Orchestra, [[Hamilton Harty]] "Where corals lie" only. ''Dame Clara Butt (1872–1936)'' Prima Voce NI 7912. (Recording is also on ''Dame Clara Butt: Britain's Queen of Song'' GEM 0086)
* Elizabeth Campbell, [[Adelaide Symphony Orchestra]], [[Nicholas Braithwaite]] ''Elgar: Cello Concerto/Sea Pictures'' ABC Classics 4767966
* Elizabeth Campbell, [[Adelaide Symphony Orchestra]], [[Nicholas Braithwaite]] ''Elgar: Cello Concerto/Sea Pictures'' ABC Classics 4767966
* [[Yvonne Minton]], London Philharmonic Orchestra, [[Daniel Barenboim]]. ''Elgar''. CD collection of former recordings, 2002. Sony Classical 508249 2
*[[Yvonne Minton]], London Philharmonic Orchestra, [[Daniel Barenboim]]. ''Elgar''. CD collection of former recordings, 2002. Sony Classical 508249 2
* [[Sarah Connolly]], [[Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra]], Simon Wright ''Elgar: Music Makers / Sea Pictures'' Naxos 8.557710. This recording was a 2007 [[Grammy]] nominee, for the [[Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance]]
*[[Sarah Connolly]], [[Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra]], Simon Wright ''Elgar: Music Makers / Sea Pictures'' Naxos 8.557710. This recording was a 2007 [[Grammy]] nominee, for the [[Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance]]
* [[Margreta Elkins]], [[Queensland Symphony Orchestra]], [[Werner Andreas Albert]] (August 1983) ''Margreta Elkins – The Classic Recordings'' ABC 461,922-2
*[[Alice Coote]], [[The Hallé]], [[Sir Mark Elder]], recorded on 5–7 August 2014, Manchester.
*[[Margreta Elkins]], [[Queensland Symphony Orchestra]], [[Werner Andreas Albert]] (August 1983) ''Margreta Elkins – The Classic Recordings'' ABC 461,922-2
* [[Lauris Elms]], [[Sydney Symphony|Sydney Symphony Orchestra]], [[John Hopkins (conductor)|John Hopkins]] LP RCA GL40749
*[[Lauris Elms]], [[Sydney Symphony|Sydney Symphony Orchestra]], [[John Hopkins (conductor)|John Hopkins]] LP RCA GL40749
* Linda Finnie, London Philharmonic Orchestra, [[Bryden Thomson]], (1991). ''Elgar: Sea Pictures, The Music Makers'' Chandos Records 9022
* Linda Finnie, London Philharmonic Orchestra, [[Bryden Thomson]], (1991). ''Elgar: Sea Pictures, The Music Makers'' Chandos Records 9022
* [[Birgit Finnilä]], [[Geoffrey Parsons (pianist)|Geoffrey Parsons]] (piano). ''Baroque and Romantic Vocal Music'' BIS-CD-127
*[[Birgit Finnilä]], [[Geoffrey Parsons (pianist)|Geoffrey Parsons]] (piano). ''Baroque and Romantic Vocal Music'' BIS-CD-127
* [[Bernadette Greevy]], London Philharmonic Orchestra, [[Vernon Handley]] ''Elgar: Symphony No.2 / Sea Pictures'' Cfp 5753062
*[[Bernadette Greevy]], London Philharmonic Orchestra, [[Vernon Handley]] ''Elgar: Symphony No.2 / Sea Pictures'' Cfp 5753062
* [[Aafje Heynis]], "Sea Slumber Song" only. ''Het Puik van zoete kelen'' (''The Cream of Glorious Voices'') Philips Dutch Masters 464,385-2 [http://www.cantabile-subito.de/Contraltos/Dutch_Contraltos/hauptteil_dutch_contraltos.html "Sea Slumber Song" audio sample]
*[[Aafje Heynis]], "Sea Slumber Song" only. ''Het Puik van zoete kelen'' (''The Cream of Glorious Voices'') Philips Dutch Masters 464,385-2 [http://www.cantabile-subito.de/Contraltos/Dutch_Contraltos/hauptteil_dutch_contraltos.html "Sea Slumber Song" audio sample]
⚫
*[[Marilyn Horne]], [[New York Philharmonic Orchestra]], [[Zubin Mehta]], recorded on 6 June 1980, New York.
* [[Konrad Jarnot]] (baritone), Reinild Mees (piano) ''Elgar: Complete Songs for Voice and Piano Vol. 1'' [[Channel Classics Records]] CCS SA 27507
*[[Konrad Jarnot]] (baritone), Reinild Mees (piano) ''Elgar: Complete Songs for Voice and Piano Vol. 1'' [[Channel Classics Records]] CCS SA 27507
* [[Mary Jarred]], contralto; The BBC Orchestra, Section F; Clarence Raybould, conductor ''Elgar's Interpreters on Record, Volume 5: Broadcasts from the Leech Collection at the British Library (1935–1950)'' Elgar Society EECD003-005 ("Sea Slumber Song" complete, "Sabbath Morning at Sea" to bar 84, "The Swimmer" bars between 74 and 107 are missing)
*[[Mary Jarred]], contralto; The BBC Orchestra, Section F; Clarence Raybould, conductor ''Elgar's Interpreters on Record, Volume 5: Broadcasts from the Leech Collection at the British Library (1935–1950)'' Elgar Society EECD003-005 ("Sea Slumber Song" complete, "Sabbath Morning at Sea" to bar 84, "The Swimmer" bars between 74 and 107 are missing)
* [[Della Jones]], [[Royal Philharmonic Orchestra]], [[Charles Mackerras]] ''The British Music Collection – Edward Elgar'' Decca 4732492
* Rosemarie Lang, Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, Hans-Peter Frank c/w [[Richard Wagner|Wagner]] ''[[Wesendonck Lieder]]'' and [[Gösta Nystroem]] ''Sănger vid havet (Songs at the Sea)'' ''Wagner / Nystroem / Elgar: Lieder'' BIS-CD-530
*[[Della Jones]], [[Royal Philharmonic Orchestra]], [[Charles Mackerras]] ''The British Music Collection – Edward Elgar'' Decca 4732492
* [[Rosemarie Lang]], Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, Hans-Peter Frank c/w [[Richard Wagner|Wagner]] ''[[Wesendonck Lieder]]'' and [[Gösta Nystroem]] ''Sănger vid havet (Songs at the Sea)'' ''Wagner / Nystroem / Elgar: Lieder'' BIS-CD-530
* Claire-Louise Lucas (mezzo-soprano), Jonathan Darnborough (piano) Claudio Bohema CB5258-2 (This is the version with piano accompaniment.)
* Claire-Louise Lucas (mezzo-soprano), Jonathan Darnborough (piano) Claudio Bohema CB5258-2 (This is the version with piano accompaniment.)
* [[Leila Megane]], Unidentified Orchestra, [[Edward Elgar]] (first complete recording made on 11 October 1922, with Elgar conducting) available in ''The Elgar Edition'' GEMMCDS 9951–5 ([http://www.pavilionrecords.com/ Pavilion Records]). ''Leila Megane'' Sain SCD2316 includes three songs from ''Sea Pictures''.
*[[Leila Megane]], Unidentified Orchestra, [[Edward Elgar]] (first complete recording made on 11 October 1922, with Elgar conducting) available in ''The Elgar Edition'' GEMMCDS 9951–5 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20080513090804/http://www.pavilionrecords.com/ Pavilion Records]). ''Leila Megane'' Sain SCD2316 includes three songs from ''Sea Pictures''.
* [[Kerstin Meyer]] (mezzo-soprano), [[The Hallé|Hallé Orchestra]], Sir John Barbirolli (recorded live at the St. Nicholas Chapel, King's Lynn Festival, 24 July 1970. Barbirolli's last recorded concert. Includes Elgar's [[Symphony No. 1 (Elgar)|Symphony No. 1]]). Intaglio INCD 701-1
*[[Kerstin Meyer]] (mezzo-soprano), [[The Hallé|Hallé Orchestra]], Sir John Barbirolli (recorded live at the St. Nicholas Chapel, King's Lynn Festival, 24 July 1970. Barbirolli's last recorded concert. Includes Elgar's [[Symphony No. 1 (Elgar)|Symphony No. 1]]). Intaglio INCD 701-1
* [[Maartje Offers]] "Where Corals Lie" only. ''Het Puik van zoete kelen'' (''The Cream of Glorious Voices'') Philips Dutch Masters 464,385-2
*[[Maartje Offers]] "Where Corals Lie" only. ''Het Puik van zoete kelen'' (''The Cream of Glorious Voices'') Philips Dutch Masters 464,385-2
* [[Felicity Palmer]], [[London Symphony Orchestra]], [[Richard Hickox]], ''Elgar Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op. 61; Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85; Sea Pictures'', Op. 37 Virgin 562425 2 / EMI CDM 5 65126 2
*[[Felicity Palmer]], [[London Symphony Orchestra]], [[Richard Hickox]], ''Elgar Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op. 61; Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85; Sea Pictures'', Op. 37 Virgin 562425 2 / EMI CDM 5 65126 2
* [http://www.amandapitt.com/ Amanda Pitt] (soprano) [[David Owen Norris]] (piano) ''Songs & Piano Music by Edward Elgar'' AVIE AV 2129 (played on Elgar's 1844 Broadwood square piano and set in Elgar's original keys)
*[http://www.amandapitt.com/ Amanda Pitt] (soprano) [[David Owen Norris]] (piano) ''Songs & Piano Music by Edward Elgar'' AVIE AV 2129 (played on Elgar's 1844 Broadwood square piano and set in Elgar's original keys)
* [[Gladys Ripley]], Philharmonia Orchestra, [[George Weldon]] (Summer 1946) on HMV 78s C.3498/3500. CD release on ''The Dream of Gerontius and Sea Pictures'' Pearl GEMS 0128. Re-recorded for LP by Ripley and Weldon with the London Symphony Orchestra on 26 February 1954. Released on UK Columbia LP 33SX 1028 and US Capitol LP P-18017. Reissued on HMV Concert Classics XLP 30008. CD releases of this second version: Somm SOMMCD 073 and Pristine Audio PASC 196AS.
*[[Gladys Ripley]], Philharmonia Orchestra, [[George Weldon]] (Summer 1946) on HMV 78s C.3498/3500. CD release on ''The Dream of Gerontius and Sea Pictures'' Pearl GEMS 0128. Re-recorded for LP by Ripley and Weldon with the London Symphony Orchestra on 26 February 1954. Released on UK Columbia LP 33SX 1028 and US Capitol LP P-18017. Reissued on HMV Concert Classics XLP 30008. CD releases of this second version: Somm SOMMCD 073 and Pristine Audio PASC 196AS.
* [[Birgitta Svendén]], Orchestre philharmonique de Nice, John Carewe, (1991). ''Grands lieder [Ljudupptagning] Great songs / Mahler, Elgar, Zemlinsky'' Forlane UCD 16642
*[[Birgitta Svendén]], Orchestre philharmonique de Nice, John Carewe, (1991). ''Grands lieder [Ljudupptagning] Great songs / Mahler, Elgar, Zemlinsky'' Forlane UCD 16642
* Roderick Williams, [[BBC Concert Orchestra]], [[Martin Yates]] (2010) Dutton Epoch CDLX7243
* Roderick Williams, [[BBC Concert Orchestra]], [[Martin Yates]] (2010) Dutton Epoch CDLX7243
* Catherine Wyn-Rogers, [[BBC Symphony Orchestra]], Sir [[Andrew Davis (conductor)|Andrew Davis]]. (2003, recorded on 30 July 2003 in the [[Royal Albert Hall]], London, as part of the [[The Proms|BBC Proms]]), CD title is not that clear but the CD includes [[William Walton|Walton]] ''Coronation Te Deum'', [[Edward Elgar|Elgar]] ''Sea Pictures'', [[Arnold Bax|Bax]] ''[[November Woods]]'', [[Benjamin Britten|Britten]] ''The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra'' Warner Classics 2564 61550-2
* Catherine Wyn-Rogers, [[BBC Symphony Orchestra]], Sir [[Andrew Davis (conductor)|Andrew Davis]]. (2003, recorded on 30 July 2003 in the [[Royal Albert Hall]], London, as part of the [[The Proms|BBC Proms]]), CD title is not that clear but the CD includes [[William Walton|Walton]] ''Coronation Te Deum'', [[Edward Elgar|Elgar]] ''Sea Pictures'', [[Arnold Bax|Bax]] ''[[November Woods]]'', [[Benjamin Britten|Britten]] ''The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra'' Warner Classics 2564 61550-2
⚫
* [[Marilyn Horne]], [[New York Philharmonic Orchestra]], [[Zubin Mehta]], recorded on 6 June 1980, New York.

(Note: there is also a distinct work ''Merikuvia'' by the Finnish composer [[Uuno Klami]]. ''Merikuvia'' is usually translated into English as ''Sea Pictures''.)


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
Line 63: Line 71:


== References ==
== References ==
* {{cite book |last=Kennedy |first=Michael |authorlink=Michael Kennedy (music critic) |date=1987 |title= Portrait of Elgar |edition=Third |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-284017-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Kennedy |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Kennedy (music critic) |date=1987 |title= Portrait of Elgar |edition=Third |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-284017-7}}


== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==
* Elgar, Edward ''Sea Pictures: A Cycle of Five Songs for Contralto'' with German translation by Dr. Wilhelm Henzen and French words by George Petilleau Boosey & Hawkes Ltd. (Sheet music with libretti)
* Elgar, Edward ''Sea Pictures: A Cycle of Five Songs for Contralto'' with German translation by Dr. Wilhelm Henzen and French words by George Petilleau Boosey & Hawkes Ltd. (Sheet music with libretti)
* Leistra Jones, Karen "'The Deeps have Music Soft and Low’: Sounding the Ocean in Elgar’s Sea Pictures." In ''Music and Letters'', vol. 97, no. 1 (2016): 61-99. https://doi.org/10.1093/ml/gcw009
* McGuire, Charles Edward "Three Journeys, Two Paths: Locating the Lyric and Dramatic in Elgar’s ''Sea Pictures''." In ''The Sea in the British Musical Imagination'', ed. Eric Saylor and Christopher M. Scheer. Boydell Press, 2015. Pp. 179-203.


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.lieder.net/lieder/assemble_texts.html?SongCycleId=384 The Lied, Art Song, and Choral Texts Archive Created and maintained by Emily Ezust] Texts of the songs set in music by Elgar and translations in various languages.
* [http://www.lieder.net/lieder/assemble_texts.html?SongCycleId=384 The Lied, Art Song, and Choral Texts Archive Created and maintained by Emily Ezust] Texts of the songs set in music by Elgar and translations in various languages.
* [http://www.elgar.org/3seapics.htm The Elgar Society and Elgar Foundation]
* [http://www.elgar.org/3seapics.htm The Elgar Society and Elgar Foundation]
* [http://www.americansymphony.org/dialogues_extensions/season/dialogue_detail.cfm?ID=19&season=2003-2004 Fred Kirshnit]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060214162945/http://www.americansymphony.org/dialogues_extensions/season/dialogue_detail.cfm?ID=19&season=2003-2004 Fred Kirshnit]
* [http://users.ox.ac.uk/~cont0230/Elgar%20VW%20talk/BLtalk.html The Songs of Elgar and Vaughan Williams]
* [http://users.ox.ac.uk/~cont0230/Elgar%20VW%20talk/BLtalk.html The Songs of Elgar and Vaughan Williams]
* [[Michael Kennedy (music critic)|Michael Kennedy]] [http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/_downloads/File/Elgar%202007/Elgar%20Sea%20Pictures.pdf?PHPSESSID=pf74fnqnv263gd70u Sea Pictures, Op. 37]
* [[Michael Kennedy (music critic)|Michael Kennedy]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928010313/http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/_downloads/File/Elgar%202007/Elgar%20Sea%20Pictures.pdf?PHPSESSID=pf74fnqnv263gd70u Sea Pictures, Op. 37]
* [http://numabe.exblog.jp/m2007-08-01/ CD Discography of "Sea Pictures" op. 37 by Edward Elgar]
* [http://numabe.exblog.jp/m2007-08-01/ CD Discography of "Sea Pictures" op. 37 by Edward Elgar]
* [http://www.sydneysymphony.com/sysfiles/attachments/PROG41_081107_Elgar2_SSO.pdf Sydney Symphony programme notes] (pp.&nbsp;8–11)
* [http://www.sydneysymphony.com/sysfiles/attachments/PROG41_081107_Elgar2_SSO.pdf Sydney Symphony programme notes]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (pp.&nbsp;8–11)
* {{IMSLP2|id=Sea Pictures, Op.37 (Elgar, Edward)|cname=Sea Pictures}}
* {{IMSLP2|work=Sea Pictures, Op.37 (Elgar, Edward)|cname=Sea Pictures}}

{{Edward Elgar}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Song cycles by Edward Elgar]]
[[Category:Song cycles by Edward Elgar]]
[[Category:Classical song cycles in English]]
[[Category:Classical song cycles in English]]
[[Category:1899 compositions]]
[[Category:1899 compositions]]
[[Category:Orchestral songs]]

Latest revision as of 17:31, 22 May 2024

Sea Pictures, Op. 37 is a song cycle by Sir Edward Elgar consisting of five songs written by various poets. It was set for contralto and orchestra, though a distinct version for piano was often performed by Elgar. Many mezzo-sopranos have sung the piece.

The songs are:[1]

Much of the vocal line of the first song, "Sea Slumber Song", is heard again in other parts of the cycle; most notably, the second stanza is heard again almost in its entirety as part of the finale.

History

[edit]

Elgar composed the piece on his 1894 Broadwood Square piano while residing at Birchwood Lodge, Great Storridge in Herefordshire. The songs were originally written in high keys for a soprano voice, but transposed to lower keys for the orchestral version, largely at the request of the contralto Clara Butt.[citation needed] The songs were composed in July 1899 (apart from "In Haven (Capri)", which was a reworking of his 1897 "Love alone will stay").[2]

The premiere was on 5 October 1899 at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival with Elgar himself conducting and Clara Butt singing, dressed as a mermaid.[2] On 7 October, Clara Butt gave the first London performance at St. James's Hall, with Elgar at the piano. Nearly two weeks later, on 20 October, Butt performed it for Queen Victoria at Balmoral.

Until August 1900, Elgar's songs had been published by Novello: but Elgar had a disagreement with them, and from then his songs, including "The Pipes of Pan" and Sea Pictures were published by Boosey & Hawkes, who bought the copyright for £50, with a small royalty per copy of the songs published separately.

Sea Pictures was also published in the following languages:

  • German: See-Bilder with words by Dr. Wilhelm Henzen
  • French: Marines with words by George Petilleau.

Other versions

[edit]

While the cycle is heard most often in its canonical form for contralto and symphony orchestra, it can also be performed as a work for voice and piano, and in recent years some sopranos have taken up the work using Elgar's original keys.

In 2010, the British composer Donald Fraser made a version of Sea Pictures for SATB chorus and strings. The first recording of that version was made by the English Chamber Orchestra, Rodolfus Choir and conductor Kenneth Woods in Abbey Road Studios in 2013. Fraser's arrangement was hailed by Stephen Johnson in BBC Music Magazine as "beautifully realised, performed with warmth and understanding, and sympathetically recorded."[3]

Fraser has also made a version of the work for SATB chorus and large symphony orchestra.

Recording

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Kennedy, p.344–345
  2. ^ a b Kennedy, p.101
  3. ^ Johnson, Stephen (July 2016). "Elgar arr. Fraser - Piano Quintet and Sea Pictures". BBC Music Magazine.
  4. ^ Kennedy, p.366 [verification needed]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
  • Elgar, Edward Sea Pictures: A Cycle of Five Songs for Contralto with German translation by Dr. Wilhelm Henzen and French words by George Petilleau Boosey & Hawkes Ltd. (Sheet music with libretti)
  • Leistra Jones, Karen "'The Deeps have Music Soft and Low’: Sounding the Ocean in Elgar’s Sea Pictures." In Music and Letters, vol. 97, no. 1 (2016): 61-99. https://doi.org/10.1093/ml/gcw009
  • McGuire, Charles Edward "Three Journeys, Two Paths: Locating the Lyric and Dramatic in Elgar’s Sea Pictures." In The Sea in the British Musical Imagination, ed. Eric Saylor and Christopher M. Scheer. Boydell Press, 2015. Pp. 179-203.
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