Elgar’s five Pomp and Circumstance Marches were written between 1901 and 1930 with number 1 undoubtedly being the most popular of the five.King Edward VII told Elgar that the tune would ‘go round the world’ if words were fitted to it. Elgar took the hint and included it (with slight rhythmic changes) in his Coronation Ode of 1902 with words by A. C. Benson.Thus was born Land of Hope and Glory which is now of course an integral part of the annual Last Night of the Proms when the audience (with varying degrees of success!) sing the words along to the original march. Now your brass band canenjoy all the pomp and ceremony of proms with this arrangement by Philip Sparke.
