Elgar, E :: Salut d'amour

International Music Company presents Edward Elgar's 'Salut d'amour', op. 12, arranged here for flute and piano.

'Inspired by his country s culture and landscape as well as his colleagues on the Continent, English composer Edward Elgar produced an impressive output of music throughout his career. Elgar was born into a family of little means; his father, an organist, owned a small music shop, and made sure that all of his seven children received a musical upbringing. Elgar originally composed his 'Salut d Amour' as an engagement present to his future wife, Caroline Alice Roberts, in 1888 after she gave him two poems for the same occasion. It was originally entitled Liebesgruss (Love s Greeting) and written for piano. In the same year he arranged the work for violin and piano, and soon after, in 1889, he orchestrated the work. All three versions (solo piano, violin and piano, and orchestral) were published by Schott and renamed Salut d Amour, with Elgar s permission. A breakthrough for the composer, Salut d Amour sold quite well once Schott Frenchified both the title of the work as well as the name of the at the time unknown composer, writing Ed. Elgar instead of Edward Elgar. Salut d Amour is now one of Elgar s most widely recognized pieces, and its popularity has led to arrangements for almost every instrument. This short work utilizes a very simple, tuneful melody that beautifully weaves its way around the orchestra. It is an incredibly sentimental piece that tears on your heartstrings just a little, and gives you a glimpse of the love that Elgar felt.

- Christina, Dioguardi