Symphony No. 1 in A♭ major, Op. 55 - Sir Edward Elgar

Symphony No. 1 in A♭ major, Op. 55 by Sir Edward Elgar

Elgar completed this symphony in 1908, with the premiere performance being given in December the same year in Manchester. Elgar had originally intended the work to be in honour of General Charles George Gordon, however during composition (which lasted several years) decided to leave the music as a purely symphonic work.

The work was instead dedicated to the conductor Hans Richter, friend and admirer of Elgar who would conduct the 1908 premiere.

The symphony is comprised of four movements: I. Andante. Nobilmente e semplice — Allegro 00:00 II. Allegro molto 21:59 III. Adagio 29:24 IV. Lento — Allegro 42:33