Sea Pictures
Encyclopedia
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:
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.
. 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
. The songs were composed in July 1899 (apart from "In Haven (Capri)
", which was a reworking of his 1897 "Love alone will stay
").
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. 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 published in the following languages:
(Note: there is also a distinct work Merikuvia by the Finnish composer Uuno Klami
. Merikuvia is usually translated into English as Sea Pictures.)
Edward Elgar
Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet OM, GCVO was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos...
consisting of five songs written by various poets. It was set for contralto
Contralto
Contralto is the deepest female classical singing voice, with the lowest tessitura, falling between tenor and mezzo-soprano. It typically ranges between the F below middle C to the second G above middle C , although at the extremes some voices can reach the E below middle C or the second B above...
and orchestra, though a distinct version for piano was often performed by Elgar. Many mezzo-soprano
Mezzo-soprano
A mezzo-soprano is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above...
s have sung the piece.
The songs are:
- "Sea Slumber SongSea Slumber Song"Sea Slumber Song" is a poem by the Hon. Roden Noel set to music by Sir Edward Elgar as the first song in his song-cycle Sea Pictures.-Lyrics:The poem here is as sung in Sea Pictures....
" by Roden NoelRoden NoelRoden Berkeley Wriothesley Noel, also known as Noël , was an English poet.The son of Charles Noel, Lord Barham, afterwards 1st Earl of Gainsborough, he was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he obtained his M.A. in 1858. He then spent two years travelling in the East... - "In Haven (Capri)In HavenIn Haven is a poem by Caroline Alice Elgar, probably best known in its musical setting as the second song composed by her husband Edward Elgar for his song-cycle Sea Pictures.- History :...
" by Caroline Alice ElgarCaroline Alice ElgarCaroline Alice, Lady Elgar was an English author of verse and prose fiction, who married the composer Edward Elgar.- Family :...
, the composer's wife - "Sabbath Morning at SeaSabbath Morning at Sea"Sabbath Morning at Sea" is a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning set to music by Sir Edward Elgar as the third song in his song-cycle Sea Pictures. It was first published by Browning in 1839.-Lyrics:...
" by Elizabeth Barrett BrowningElizabeth Barrett BrowningElizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era. Her poetry was widely popular in both England and the United States during her lifetime. A collection of her last poems was published by her husband, Robert Browning, shortly after her death.-Early life:Members... - "Where Corals LieWhere Corals Lie"Where Corals Lie" is a poem by Richard Garnett which was set to music by Sir Edward Elgar as the fourth song in his song-cycle Sea Pictures...
" by Richard GarnettRichard GarnettRichard Garnett C.B. was a scholar, librarian, biographer and poet. He was son of Richard Garnett, an author, philologist and assistant keeper of printed books in the British Museum.... - "The SwimmerThe Swimmer (poem)"The Swimmer" is a poem by the Australian poet Adam Lindsay Gordon. The poem is from his last volume of poems Bush Ballads and Galloping Hymns published in 1870, when he was living at Melbourne...
" by Adam Lindsay GordonAdam Lindsay GordonAdam Lindsay Gordon was an Australian poet, jockey and politician.- Early life :Gordon was born at Fayal in the Azores, son of Captain Adam Durnford Gordon who had married his first cousin, Harriet Gordon, both of whom were descended from Adam of Gordon of the ballad...
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
Elgar composed the piece on his 1844 Broadwood Square piano while residing at Birchwood Lodge, Great Storridge in HerefordshireHerefordshire
Herefordshire is a historic and ceremonial county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire" NUTS 2 region. It also forms a unitary district known as the...
. The songs were originally written in high keys for a soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
voice, but transposed to lower keys for the orchestral version, largely at the request of the contralto Clara Butt
Clara Butt
Dame Clara Ellen Butt DBE , sometimes called Clara Butt-Rumford after her marriage, was an English contralto with a remarkably imposing voice and a surprisingly agile singing technique. Her main career was as a recitalist and concert singer.-Early life and career:Clara Butt was born in Southwick,...
. The songs were composed in July 1899 (apart from "In Haven (Capri)
In Haven
In Haven is a poem by Caroline Alice Elgar, probably best known in its musical setting as the second song composed by her husband Edward Elgar for his song-cycle Sea Pictures.- History :...
", which was a reworking of his 1897 "Love alone will stay
Love alone will stay
" Love alone will stay" is a poem by Caroline Alice Elgar, set to music for voice and piano by her husband, the English composer Edward Elgar, in 1897....
").
The premiere was on 5 October 1899 at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival
Norfolk and Norwich Festival
Norfolk & Norwich Festival is an arts organisation based in Norwich, England which is primarily responsible for the eponymous international arts festival held in annually every May, with events also held throughout the wider county of Norfolk....
with Elgar himself conducting and Clara Butt
Clara Butt
Dame Clara Ellen Butt DBE , sometimes called Clara Butt-Rumford after her marriage, was an English contralto with a remarkably imposing voice and a surprisingly agile singing technique. Her main career was as a recitalist and concert singer.-Early life and career:Clara Butt was born in Southwick,...
singing, dressed as a mermaid. On 7 October, Clara Butt gave the first London performance at St. James's Hall
St James's Hall
St. James's Hall was a concert hall in London that opened on 25 March 1858, designed by architect and artist Owen Jones, who had decorated the interior of the Crystal Palace. It was situated between the Quadrant in Regent Street and Piccadilly, and Vine Street and George Court. There was a...
, with Elgar at the piano. Nearly two weeks later, on 20 October, Butt performed it for Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
at Balmoral
Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle is a large estate house in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is located near the village of Crathie, west of Ballater and east of Braemar. Balmoral has been one of the residences of the British Royal Family since 1852, when it was purchased by Queen Victoria and her...
.
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
The Pipes of Pan
"The Pipes of Pan" is a poem by Adrian Ross set to music by the English composer Edward Elgar, being completed on 5 June 1899.The song was published by Boosey in 1900. Early editions of the vocal score are inscribed 'Sung by Mr...
" and Sea Pictures were published by Boosey & Hawkes
Boosey & Hawkes
Boosey & Hawkes is a British music publisher purported to be the largest specialist classical music publisher in the world. Until 2003, it was also a major manufacturer of brass, string and wind musical instruments....
, 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:
- German: See-Bilder with words by Dr. Wilhelm Henzen
- French: Marines with words by George Petilleau.
Recordings
- The first recording was made on 11 October 1922, by Leila MeganeLeila MeganeLeila Megane was a Welsh mezzo-soprano opera singer.Born Margaret Jones in Bethesda, Wales, she married T. Osborne Roberts , a composer. She sang in Paris, Milan, Rome, New York, and London....
(contralto) with Elgar conducting a 'Symphony Orchestra'. This acoustic recording was made for The Gramophone Company and appeared under the H.M.V. label, on 2 discs D674-5. This can be heard on The Elgar Edition GEMMCDS 9951–5 (Pavilion Records)
- Larissa Avdeyeva, USSR State Symphony OrchestraState Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Russian FederationThe State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Russian Federation is a Russian orchestra based in Moscow...
, 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 BakerJanet BakerDame Janet Abbott Baker, CH, DBE, FRSA is an English mezzo-soprano best known as an opera, concert, and lieder singer.She was particularly closely associated with baroque and early Italian opera and the works of Benjamin Britten...
, London Symphony OrchestraLondon Symphony OrchestraThe London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
, conductor Sir John BarbirolliJohn BarbirolliSir John Barbirolli, CH was an English conductor and cellist. Born in London, of Italian and French parentage, he grew up in a family of professional musicians. His father and grandfather were violinists...
(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 OrchestraLondon Philharmonic OrchestraThe London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
, Vernon HandleyVernon HandleyVernon George "Tod" Handley CBE was a British conductor, known in particular for his support of British composers. He was born of a Welsh father and an Irish mother into a musical family in Enfield, London. He acquired the nickname "Tod" because his feet were turned in at his birth, which his...
London Philharmonic Orchestra plays Elgar LPO — LPO0016-0020 (recorded live 1984) - Muriel BrunskillMuriel BrunskillMuriel Brunskill was an English contralto of the mid-twentieth century. Her career included concert, operatic and recital performance from the early 1920s until the 1950s...
Elgar's Interpreters on Record Volume 2 — Historic Recordings (also includes recording by Clara ButtClara ButtDame Clara Ellen Butt DBE , sometimes called Clara Butt-Rumford after her marriage, was an English contralto with a remarkably imposing voice and a surprisingly agile singing technique. Her main career was as a recitalist and concert singer.-Early life and career:Clara Butt was born in Southwick,...
) Dutton CDAX8020 - Clara ButtClara ButtDame Clara Ellen Butt DBE , sometimes called Clara Butt-Rumford after her marriage, was an English contralto with a remarkably imposing voice and a surprisingly agile singing technique. Her main career was as a recitalist and concert singer.-Early life and career:Clara Butt was born in Southwick,...
, Unidentified Orchestra, Hamilton HartyHamilton HartySir Hamilton Harty was an Irish and British composer, conductor, pianist and organist. In his capacity as a conductor, he was particularly noted as an interpreter of the music of Berlioz and he was much respected as a piano accompanist of exceptional prowess...
"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 OrchestraAdelaide Symphony OrchestraThe Adelaide Symphony Orchestra was founded as a 17 player radio ensemble in 1936, in Adelaide, South Australia. The orchestra reformed in 1949 as the 55 member South Australian Symphony Orchestra. It reverted to its original and present title, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, in late 1974, and...
, Nicholas BraithwaiteNicholas BraithwaiteNicholas Paul Dallon Braithwaite is an English conductor. He is the son of the conductor Warwick Braithwaite.Braithwaite studied at the Royal Academy of Music, at the Festival masterclasses in Bayreuth, and with Hans Swarowsky in Vienna. In the 1960s, Braithwaite was associate conductor of the...
Elgar: Cello Concerto/Sea Pictures ABC Classics 4767966 - Sarah ConnollySarah ConnollySarah Patricia Connolly CBE is an English mezzo-soprano.Sarah Connolly was educated at Queen Margaret's School, York and then studied piano and singing at the Royal College of Music, of which she is now a Fellow...
, Bournemouth Symphony OrchestraBournemouth Symphony OrchestraThe Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is an English orchestra. Originally based in Bournemouth, the BSO moved its offices to the adjacent town of Poole in 1979....
, 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 PerformanceGrammy Award for Best Classical Vocal PerformanceThe Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo has been awarded since 1959. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:... - Margreta ElkinsMargreta ElkinsMargreta Elkins AM was an Australian mezzo-soprano of great renown. She sang at Covent Garden and with Opera Australia and other companies, but turned down offers to sing at the Metropolitan Opera, Bayreuth and Glyndebourne...
, Queensland Symphony OrchestraQueensland Symphony OrchestraThe Queensland Symphony Orchestra is an Australian orchestra, based principally in Brisbane in the state of Queensland.The QSO played its first concert on 26 March 1947, with the orchestra consisting of 45 musicians, conducted by Percy Code. John Farnsworth Hall was recruited from the Sydney...
, Werner Andreas AlbertWerner Andreas AlbertWerner Andreas Albert is a German conductor.He began his studies in musicology and history, and later studying conducting with Herbert von Karajan and Hans Rosbaud. After his 1961 debut with the Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra, he became chief conductor of the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie...
(August 1983) Margreta Elkins – The Classic Recordings ABC 461 922-2 - Lauris ElmsLauris ElmsLauris Margaret Elms AM OBE is an Australian contralto, renowned in opera and lieder.She was born in Springvale, Victoria, the daughter of Harry Britton and Jean Elms and trained with Katherine Wielaert in Melbourne. She first sang with the National Theatre Opera Company in 1952 in The Consul. ...
, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, John HopkinsJohn Hopkins (conductor)John Hopkins OBE is a Yorkshire-born, British conductor and administrator. Hopkins moved to New Zealand in 1957 and to Australia in 1963. He conducted the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in 1987 in one of New Zealand's first Orchestral Composers' Reading Workshops...
LP RCA GL40749 - Linda Finnie, London Philharmonic OrchestraLondon Philharmonic OrchestraThe London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
, Bryden ThomsonBryden ThomsonBryden Thomson was a Scottish conductor.Bryden Thomson was born in Ayr. He led several British orchestras, including the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra from 1977 to 1985...
, (1991). Elgar: Sea Pictures, The Music Makers Chandos Records 9022 - Birgit FinniläBirgit FinniläBirgit Finnilä is a Swedish contralto and opera singer.Finnilä was born in Falkenberg, Sweden and studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London. She made her operatic debut in Göteborg in 1963...
, Geoffrey ParsonsGeoffrey Parsons (pianist)Geoffrey Penwill Parsons AO OBE was an Australian pianist, most particularly notable as an accompanist to singers and instrumentalists...
(piano). Baroque and Romantic Vocal Music BIS-CD-127 - Bernadette GreevyBernadette GreevyBernadette Greevy was an Irish mezzo-soprano. She was founder and artistic director of the Anna Livia Dublin International Opera Festival. She was the first artist-in-residence at the Dublin Institute of Technology's Faculty of Applied Arts.-Biography:Bernadette Greevy was born in Clontarf, Dublin...
, London Philharmonic OrchestraLondon Philharmonic OrchestraThe London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
, Vernon HandleyVernon HandleyVernon George "Tod" Handley CBE was a British conductor, known in particular for his support of British composers. He was born of a Welsh father and an Irish mother into a musical family in Enfield, London. He acquired the nickname "Tod" because his feet were turned in at his birth, which his...
Elgar: Symphony No.2 / Sea Pictures Cfp 5753062 - Aafje HeynisAafje HeynisAafje Heynis is a Dutch contralto. In 1961, she was awarded the Harriet Cohen International Music Award. A tea rose, hybridised by Buisman 1964, was named after her.-Biography:...
, "Sea Slumber Song" only. Het Puik van zoete kelen (The Cream of Glorious Voices) Philips Dutch Masters 464 385-2 "Sea Slumber Song" audio sample - Konrad JarnotKonrad JarnotKonrad Jarnot is an English baritone who works in opera and oratorio and is a notable performer of Lieder. He is a teacher at the Robert Schumann Hochschule.-Early life:...
(baritone), Reinild Mees (piano) Elgar: Complete Songs for Voice and Piano Vol. 1 Channel Classics RecordsChannel Classics RecordsChannel Classics Records is a record label from the Netherlands, specializing in classical music. The managing director and producer is C. Jared Sacks, who grew up in Boston. Sacks was schooled as a professional horn player at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam...
CCS SA 27507 - Mary JarredMary JarredMary Jarred was an English opera singer of the mid-twentieth century. She is sometimes classed as a mezzo-soprano and sometimes as a contralto.-Biography:...
, 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 JonesDella JonesDella Jones , is a Welsh mezzo-soprano, particularly well-known for her interpretations of works by Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti, and Britten.-Life and career:Della Jones was born in Tonna, near Neath, Wales...
, Royal Philharmonic OrchestraRoyal Philharmonic OrchestraThe Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
, Charles MackerrasCharles MackerrasSir Alan Charles Maclaurin Mackerras, AC, CH, CBE was an Australian conductor. He was an authority on the operas of Janáček and Mozart, and the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan...
The British Music Collection — Edward Elgar Decca 4732492 - Rosemarie Lang, Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, Hans-Peter Frank c/w WagnerRichard WagnerWilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas...
Wesendonck LiederWesendonck LiederThe Wesendonck Lieder is a song cycle composed by Richard Wagner while he was working on Die Walküre. This, and the Siegfried Idyll, are his only two non-operatic works that are still regularly performed....
and Gösta NystroemGösta NystroemGösta Nystroem was a Swedish composer.Nystroem, originally Nyström, was born in Silvberg, Sweden, a parish in the province of Dalarna, but spent most of his childhood in Österhaninge near Stockholm, at the time a small village but nowadays a suburban district. His father was a headmaster and an...
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.)
- Leila MeganeLeila MeganeLeila Megane was a Welsh mezzo-soprano opera singer.Born Margaret Jones in Bethesda, Wales, she married T. Osborne Roberts , a composer. She sang in Paris, Milan, Rome, New York, and London....
, Unidentified Orchestra, Edward ElgarEdward ElgarSir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet OM, GCVO was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos...
(first complete recording made on 11 October 1922, with Elgar conducting) available in The Elgar Edition GEMMCDS 9951–5 (Pavilion Records). Leila Megane Sain SCD2316 includes three songs from Sea Pictures. - Kirstin Meyer (mezzo-soprano), Hallé OrchestraThe HalléThe Hallé is a symphony orchestra based in Manchester, England. It is the UK's oldest extant symphony orchestra , supports a choir, youth choir and a youth orchestra, and releases its recordings on its own record label, though it has occasionally released recordings on Angel Records and EMI...
, 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. 1Symphony No. 1 (Elgar)Sir Edward Elgar's Symphony No. 1 in A-flat major, Op. 55 is one of his two completed symphonies. The first performance was given by the Hallé Orchestra conducted by Hans Richter in Manchester, England, on 3 December 1908. It was widely known that Elgar had been planning a symphony for more than...
). Intaglio INCD 701-1 - Maartje OffersMaartje OffersMaartje Offers was a Dutch contralto classical singer.- Recordings :* Het Puik van zoete kelen Philips Dutch Masters 464 385-2 Songs include "Where Corals Lie" from Elgar's Sea Pictures.* Lebendige Vergangenheit Preiser Records 2916777* Maartje Offers, contralto cd1:...
"Where Corals Lie" only. Het Puik van zoete kelen (The Cream of Glorious Voices) Philips Dutch Masters 464 385-2 - Felicity PalmerFelicity PalmerDame Felicity Joan Palmer, DBE , is an English mezzo-soprano and music professor. She sang soprano roles until 1983....
, London Symphony OrchestraLondon Symphony OrchestraThe London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
, Richard HickoxRichard HickoxRichard Sidney Hickox CBE was an English conductor of choral, orchestral and operatic music.-Early life:Hickox was born in Stokenchurch in Buckinghamshire into a musical family...
, 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 - Amanda Pitt (soprano) David Owen NorrisDavid Owen Norris-Life:Norris was born in 1953. He studied music at Keble College, Oxford where he was organ scholar; he is now an Honorary Fellow of the college. After leaving Oxford, he studied composition, and worked at the Royal Opera House as a repetiteur...
(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 RipleyGladys Ripley-Early life:She was born in Forest Gate, Essex, the daughter of Alfred and Amy Ripley, and was educated at St. Edmund Roman Catholic School, East Ham, and at Clark's Business College.- Career :...
, Philharmonia Orchestra, George WeldonGeorge WeldonGeorge Weldon was an English conductor.-Biography:Weldon was educated at Sherborne School and at the Royal College of Music. He studied conducting with Malcolm Sargent and Aylmer Buesst...
(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 RipleyRipley-Surname:*Alexandra Ripley , American writer*Alice Ripley , American actress*Allen Ripley , American baseball player*Andy Ripley , English rugby player*Arthur Ripley , American screenwriter...
and WeldonWeldon- Places :In Canada:* Weldon, SaskatchewanIn England:* Weldon, Northamptonshire* Weldon, NorthumberlandIn the United States:* Weldon, Arkansas* Weldon, California* Weldon, Illinois* Weldon, Iowa* Weldon, North Carolina* Weldon Township, Michigan...
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 SvendénBirgitta SvendénBirgitta Svendén , is a Swedish operatic .Svendén, who was born in Porjus and raised in Vuollerim, studied at the Opera in Stockholm. She has made an international career in the first place as a Wagner singer, especially at the Bayreuth Festival.Birgitta Svendén has been a hovsångerska since 1995...
, Orchestre philharmonique de Nice, John Carewe, (1991). Grands lieder [Ljudupptagning] Great songs / Mahler, Elgar, Zemlinsky Forlane UCD 16642 - Roderick Williams, BBC Concert OrchestraBBC Concert OrchestraThe BBC Concert Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London, one of the British Broadcasting Corporation's five radio orchestras. With around fifty players, it is the only one of the five which is not a full-scale symphony orchestra....
, Martin YatesMartin YatesMartin Yates is a British conductor.Studied at the Royal College of Music and Trinity College of Music, London where his teachers included Bernard Keeffe , Richard Arnell , Ian Lake, Jakob Kaletsky & Alan Rowlands and Douglas Moore & John Burden .Conducting debut 1983 with Israel National Opera...
(2010) Dutton Epoch CDLX7243 - Catherine Wyn-Rogers, BBC Symphony OrchestraBBC Symphony OrchestraThe BBC Symphony Orchestra is the principal broadcast orchestra of the British Broadcasting Corporation and one of the leading orchestras in Britain.-History:...
, Sir Andrew DavisAndrew DavisAndrew Davis is the name of:* Andrew Jackson Davis , American spiritualist* Andy Davis , Washington Redskins player* Andrew Davis , American film director* Andrew M...
. (2003, recorded on 30 July 2003 in the Royal Albert HallRoyal Albert HallThe Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
, London, as part of the BBC PromsThe PromsThe Proms, more formally known as The BBC Proms, or The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts presented by the BBC, is an eight-week summer season of daily orchestral classical music concerts and other events held annually, predominantly in the Royal Albert Hall in London...
), CD title is not that clear but the CD includes WaltonWilliam WaltonSir William Turner Walton OM was an English composer. During a sixty-year career, he wrote music in several classical genres and styles, from film scores to opera...
Coronation Te Deum, ElgarEdward ElgarSir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet OM, GCVO was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos...
Sea Pictures, BaxArnold BaxSir Arnold Edward Trevor Bax, KCVO was an English composer and poet. His musical style blended elements of romanticism and impressionism, often with influences from Irish literature and landscape. His orchestral scores are noted for their complexity and colourful instrumentation...
November WoodsNovember WoodsThe tone poem November Woods was written by the British composer Arnold Bax in 1917. It is for many his greatest tone poem.It opens with a dramatic depiction of a stormy woodland landscape, followed by a much more peaceful section and development before the stormy opening mood returns towards the...
, BrittenBenjamin BrittenEdward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten, OM CH was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He showed talent from an early age, and first came to public attention with the a cappella choral work A Boy Was Born in 1934. With the premiere of his opera Peter Grimes in 1945, he leapt to...
The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra Warner Classics 2564 61550-2
(Note: there is also a distinct work Merikuvia by the Finnish composer Uuno Klami
Uuno Klami
Uuno Klami was a Finnish composer. He was born in Virolahti. Many of his works are related to the Kalevala. He was also influenced by French music, in particularly by Maurice Ravel and the group Les Six...
. Merikuvia is usually translated into English as Sea Pictures.)
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)
External links
- 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.
- The Elgar Society and Elgar Foundation
- Fred Kirshnit
- The Songs of Elgar and Vaughan Williams
- Michael KennedyMichael Kennedy (music critic)Dr. George Michael Sinclair Kennedy CBE is an English biographer, journalist and writer on classical music. He joined the Daily Telegraph at the age of 15 in 1941, and began writing music criticism for it in 1948...
Sea Pictures, Op. 37 - CD Discography of "Sea Pictures" op. 37 by Edward Elgar
- Sea Pictures BBC Discovering Music programme (.ramRealAudioRealAudio is a proprietary audio format developed by RealNetworks and first released in April 1995. It uses a variety of audio codecs, ranging from low-bitrate formats that can be used over dialup modems, to high-fidelity formats for music. It can also be used as a streaming audio format, that is...
file) - Sea Pictures sung text
- Sydney Symphony programme notes (pp. 8–11)
- Sea Pictures .pdf file on IMSLP website