The Immortal Legions

"The Immortal Legions" is a poem written by Alfred Noyes, and set to music by the English composer Edward Elgar. It was one of the eight songs Elgar wrote for the "Pageant of Empire" which opened the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley on 23 April 1924.

The poem is of quiet grief and thanksgiving in remembrance of those who died in the achievement of victory.

In the event, the song accompanied a pageant of heroes.

The song starts after a short introduction, pensively, in a minor key, with the solo voice which is joined by a simple "ostinato"-like bass line. The gentle middle section seems to show the sentiment of hope. The song ends triumphally in the relative major key, with words of thanksgiving.

This song was also arranged by the composer as a part-song.

References

*Kennedy, Michael "Portrait of Elgar" (Oxford University Press, 1968) ISBN 0193154145
*Moore, Jerrold N. "Edward Elgar: a creative life" (Oxford University Press, 1984) ISBN 0193154471
*Richards, Jeffrey "Imperialism and Music: Britain 1876-1953" (Manchester University Press, 2002) ISBN 0719045061

External links