Symphony No. 2 in E-flat major
Edward Elgar
Work background
Researched classical background
Elgar's Second Symphony carries a dedication to the memory of Edward VII and a quotation from Shelley at its head. Its four movements include a substantial Larghetto and a fast, rhythmically unsettled Rondo. Recurring ideas link the movements, and the finale ultimately subsides rather than concluding with the brilliance suggested by the symphony's opening.
A listening guide
Follow recurring ideas into the finale and notice the quiet conclusion.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: 1909-1911
Composed 1909-11; dedication and literary epigraph are documented, but do not make the entire symphony a funeral narrative.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Elgar Society: Second Symphony analysis
1909-11 chronology, dedication and structure | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Elgar Society: Second Symphony analysis
1909-11 chronology, dedication and structure | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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