...This was the last, important work, by Sir Edward Elgar. He wrote it after WWI, and was very depressed, and had stopped composing for several years. I don't believe that any of us Americans can imagine what Europe was like after WWI. Europe had had a very rich culture, and after the trench warfare, the poison gasses, and such, the entire continent was in shock.
...The Concerto doesn't have the usual opening. Usually, the Orchestra plays the theme and elaborates on it, but in this work the cello plays three very angry chords...and then does a very slow, introspective opening. A very lovely, and simple theme is expressed...it is very longing...it speaks of what was...and what was lost...and what could become again. The rest of the work explores many avenues of what could happen, and sinks into reflection and despair, although there is a moment when the cellist portrays birds flying through a forest.
I just love the ending. The Orchestra acts like it wants to go on, and the cello plays the same chords as it had opened the work with...a shriek of "Never Again!!!!!"...and the Orchestra...and the cello...play a quick ending.
This young lady performs it very well, and her facial expressions and body movements express what she is feeling...and what the work is saying to her. Enjoy!!
https://binged.it/2Mmq8Dc
