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Edward Elgar

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Composer

The Resume

    (June 2, 1857-February 23, 1934)
    Born in Lower Broadheath, England, United Kingdom
    Best known works include 'The Enigma Variations' (1899), 'The Dream of Gerontius' (1900), the 'Pomp and Circumstances' marches (1901) and 'Land of Hope and Glory' (1902)
    Knighted (1904)
    Named Master of the King's Musick (1924)

Why he might be annoying:

    As a music professor at the University of Birmingham, he used his lectures to denounce English music.
    After becoming famous he complained, 'My life is one continual giving up of little things I love.'
    He became distressed at the popularity of 'Land of Hope and Glory' among jingoists and tried unsuccessfully to have less nationalistic lyrics attached to the song.
    Herbert von Karajan dismissed his work as 'second-hand Brahms.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was the first English composer to be the subject of a multi-day festival at Covent Gardens.
    Richard Strauss called him 'the first English progressive musician.'
    He was denied burial at Westminster Abbey solely because he was Roman Catholic.
    His 'Pomp and Circumstance' March No. 1 is ubiquitous at high school and college graduation ceremonies.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 26 Votes: 42.31% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 82 Votes: 52.44% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 15 Votes: 73.33% Annoying