Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934) is a well-known English nationalist
composer who studied the music in his father’s shop and taught
himself to play several instruments, including the organ.
Canto
Popolare is the melody from the middle section of
Elgar’s “In the South,” Op. 50. Brewer’s
transcription follows the ideas expressed by Elgar in his arrangement for
voice and piano.
Alfred Herbert Brewer was born in Gloucester, England, on
June 21, 1865. He was highly educated and well-trained in
music. He studied organ with such teachers as Charles Villiers Stanford, he
won scholarships, he earned multiple degrees, he was awarded Hon.R.A.M. and
F.R.C.O, and was knighted by the king. He was a well-rounded musician who
was able to bring orchestral favorites to the organ in transcriptions that
are approachable and always easier to play than those by other well-known
organists such as Edwin Lemare. Canto
Popolare is moderately easy.
