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Autodidact: How Elgar challenged the academic tradition of the music world
The achievements of Edward Elgar, a British composer, have undoubtedly had a profound impact on the music world. His works, such as Enigma Variations and Pomp and Circumstance Marches, are not only loved in his native Britain, but have also established an international reputation. However, it is worth noting that Elgar's musical journey was not smooth sailing. Behind his success lies a story of self-taught music and a challenge to academic tradition.
Elgar's music reflects his criticism and transcendence of British musical tradition.
Elgar was born in Worcester, England in 1857. Although his father was a musician, Elgar's musical education was almost entirely self-taught. He did not receive formal training at a music college, but taught himself through his love for music and diligence. He studied various music theories and composition techniques in depth, which gave him extraordinary sensitivity and talent in music creation. As a self-taught artist, he confronted the academic traditions of the music world and struggled to find his own unique voice.
In the Victorian era, the academic atmosphere in the music world was quite strong, and many composers were constrained by traditional values and academic frameworks. Elgar was a marginalized person struggling in such an environment. His gifts and talents came not only from his family background but also from his interactions with the community of intellectuals and musicians. In his own works, he was influenced by continental music, especially the German musical tradition. This fusion gives his works the flavor of British music while also having an international style.
Elgar broke the boundaries of traditional music with his distinctive works.
Elgar's musical style is often highly emotional and narrative, which is particularly evident in his The Dream of Gerontius. The work, with its religious themes and deepening emotional content, challenged mainstream ideas in British music at the time and sparked debate in the church and society. As a Catholic, Elgar faced a lot of resistance in the Protestant-dominated music world, but he was not afraid to express his opinions, which made his music something of a symbol of rebellion.
Elgar's road to success was not smooth. Although he shot to fame with "Mystery Change" at the age of 40, he still had to face doubts from the industry and his own insecurities afterwards. His early works received mostly mediocre reviews, and were even disappointing at one point. However, it is these constant challenges that allow him to constantly seek breakthroughs in music creation. After the success of "The Mystery of Metamorphosis", Elgar's reputation gradually increased and he became a respected composer.
Elgar's music reflected his indomitable spirit and challenged the mainstream of the musical world at that time.
As his musical influence expanded, Elgar began to be regarded as a representative figure in British music. His works are not only loved in the UK, but are also gradually attracting international attention. His music has come to be seen as an important part of the British musical tradition and was revived in the mid-20th century as classic repertoires. However, decades after Elgar's death, his music was forgotten again until a new generation of musicians began to rediscover his work.
Elgar's contribution lies not only in his music, but more in the fact that he challenged the academic tradition of the time. He continues to explore and push the boundaries of the music world, creating his own musical language. In the history of music, Elgar's story is a symbol of persistence, courage and innovation. He understood that true music lies not in the boundaries of academia, but in expressing one's inner voice.
In today's music world, Elgar's story encourages countless music creators to pursue their dreams, regardless of their background. After going through a difficult journey of learning and creation, Elgar's music still resonates in the hearts of listeners. His success brings to mind a question: In today's music world, how many people are brave enough to pursue their own artistic path and challenge the established traditions?
