Edward Elgar: Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op.20 / Academy of St Martin in the Fields

This three-movement Serenade of 1892 was a breakthrough work for Elgar and was one of the first of his works to make any kind of international impact. It's one of his earliest works in which his distinctive voice is clearly apparent.

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields filmed this performance at Blackheath Halls in south London in August 2020 - the first project the orchestra did together after the country went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March.

We are extremely grateful to the individuals, trusts, foundations and corporate sponsors who supported the making of this film. Thanks to them we could create both much-needed work for our freelance musicians and new digital content to share with music lovers across the world.

Special thanks to:
London Community Response Fund
The Radcliffe Trust
FTI Consulting
Jefferies
Fidelity
Lady Marriner
Maria Cardamone and Paul Matthews
Simon Haslam and Kate Alcock

Film by Wash Media
Audio by Eastwood Records
Filmed at Blackheath Halls

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[やまもと-jd]

I listened to Elgar's Serenade for Strings from various orchestras and I found your performance to be the best

[amielschotz]

What a wonderful, sensitive and moving performance of a supposedly “minor” work by Elgar, but as perfect in its way as any “major” work by any composer you can name.😢

[anthonywallis]

the sound engineering, the acoustic of this hall - all very stimulating and satisfying

[gergotorbacksight]

For 1 years I always listen this song from this orchestra what a magnificent ✨✨💖💖😭✨✨

[JulietteCharlie]

hier soir nous avons eu la chance d'écouter cet ensemble chez nous à Colmar, quelle douceur!!! c'est sublime et celeste

[JohannesReusch]

Beautiful tempo, not as rushed as other performances. You are giving those beautiful harmonies time to evolve and bloom. Thanks a lot for your efforts!

[kennedymbiko]

I know very little about classical music but this I find very engaging.❤

[FemaleVillageElder]

Yes, life went on during the pandemic, although it doesn’t look that they are a full 6 feet apart. Beautiful beautiful music in a time of worldwide stress.

[robertpadgett]

The ostinato figure that opens the first movement in bars 1 and 2 has the notes "E-D#-E-E-E-E." The first two note letters spell "ED, " the short form of "Edward." The repeated Es that follow furnish two sets of Edward Elgar's initials (EE). These coded allusions to Elgar's first name and initials are widespread throughout the work and aptly illustrate Elgar's fascination for musical cryptography.

[marygrant]

Love that warm, straight up, English romantic style :) Elegant Elgar...

[rosaaiguaneu]

Escoltar aquesta música és com tocar el cel amb l'anima i elevar-se fins l'infinit! Moltes gràcies!

[ToyotaGuy]

Just GORGEOUS! Just beside myself, listening.

[maestroin]

Thank you for give me what a beautiful and amazing sound and music!!!!

[monks]

EVERYTHING Elgar wrote is masterful and beautiful. My favorite composer!

[yesyesyes]

Wonderful playing. Glad to see Harvey Desouza.

[starnafin]

I was almost brought up with the Marriner recording long ago . It is good to hear your playing of it now which is less emotional but none the worse for that and of course the recorded sound is much better. A covid performance to be proud of.

[messitup]

Bravo! Fabulous piece! Great performance! The strings are pulling my heart strings.
I had just recently learned about Sir Edward Elgar and his music. first heard him on WETA recently~

Edit: Also, I noticed the spacing between each musician, is that standard spacing? It really sounds amazing!

[hahahaok]

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0:22 4:03 9:50

[vernonsmart]

I was struck by how much this sounds like Grieg.

[aldoshea]

No se por qué no puedo descargar ningún video con youtube Dowmloader HD