Elgar, Edward. (1857 - 1934)
"The Music Makers" - SIGNED
London: Novello & Co.. 1912. Original 8vo edition. 86 pp. [PN] 13704. Signed on the title page, "Edward Elgar, Hereford, Vasa House 1927." Original printed wrappers with ownership name of C. Underwood to upper margin, spine and corners slightly nicked, title foxed and with a couple stray ink smudges, otherwise clean throughout and overall fine."The Music Makers," op.69, is a work for contralto or mezzo-soprano, chorus and orchestra, first performed at the Birmingham Festival on October 1, 1912, conducted by the composer, with Muriel Foster as the soloist. The text of the work is the 1874 poem "Ode" by Arthur O'Shaughnessy, which Elgar set in its entirety. It reads, in part: "We are the music makers, / And we are the dreamers of dreams, / Wandering by lone sea-breakers, / And sitting by desolate streams..."
Catherine Underwood (b. 1850) was the wife of Edward Morgan Underwood, a Hereford solicitor, of Castle Street, Hereford, England. She remained a life-long friend of Elgar, and is listed in his 1920s address book. (4518)
Signed Document/Item Classical Music