Album insights
In his youth, Elgar earned a living as a violin teacher in Worcester, often engaging in chamber music. He forged an early friendship with Dr. Buck, an enthusiastic amateur cellist, visiting him in Yorkshire and composing small pieces for the family. Some of these friends featured in his famous Enigma Variations. Although his string quartet and violin sonata were destroyed, Elgar harbored a strong desire to write quartets. His wife noted his dedication, with mentions in his Symphony No. 1 and Music Makers. Throughout his life, Elgar consistently sketched chamber music pieces.
During World War I, rather than large symphonic works, Elgar composed patriotic pieces and stage music, seeking solace in Brinkwells, a secluded cottage in West Sussex. Here, he immersed himself in composing chamber music—producing a violin sonata, a string quartet, and a piano quintet. The quartet was composed in summer 1918, completed on December 24, with the quintet following in early 1919.
Following a risky operation to remove his tonsils in March 1918, Elgar immediately started the Quartet's Piacevole section. Observing changing seasons in Brinkwells, he expressed both joy and sorrow, with reflections on lost friends and a transformed world. Despite these influences, Elgar's chamber works retained a conservative style compared to his earlier grand compositions, surprising his audience.
Notably, Elgar seamlessly integrated the piano into his quintet, a deviation from his usual focus on the violin. Despite being renowned for his violin skills, Elgar displayed his prowess on the piano with his unique style. The works were eventually publicly performed to great acclaim, revealing Elgar's diverse musical talents and his imaginative chamber compositions.