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Love’s Greeting

Donald Macleod explores Elgar’s relationship with wife and greatest supporter: Lady Alice.

Edward Elgar was a man of many passions, from cycling to chemistry. This week, Donald Macleod explores five of the composer’s greatest loves. Elgar might never have made it as a composer without the unflinching support of his wife Alice, who believed in him even when he was a penniless piano teacher.

In today’s programme, Donald discovers the unlikely beginnings of Elgar and Alice’s love story.

Salut D’Amour, Op. 12
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Kathryn Stott, piano

The Wind at Dawn
Amanda Roocroft, soprano
Reinild Mees, piano

2 Partsongs, Op. 26: No. 2, Fly, Singing Bird
Radoslaw Szulc, violin
Julita Smoleń, violin
Max Hanft, piano
Bavarian Radio Chorus, conducted by Howard Arman

String Quartet in E minor, Op. 83: II. Piacevole. Poco andante
Brodsky Quartet

Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello
London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle

Produced by Alice McKee for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Audio Wales & West

Release date:

59 minutes

Broadcast

  • Tue 6 May 2025 16:00

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