Sursum corda (Elgar)

Nave of Worcester Cathedral

Sursum corda, Op. 11 is a musical work by the English composer Edward Elgar for strings, brass, timpani and organ, composed in 1894. The composer dedicated it to his friend Henry Dyke Acland (1850-1936), an amateur cellist who was his golfing companion, manager of the Worcester Old Bank in Malvern, and son of Henry Acland.[1][2][3]

It was first performed at Worcester Cathedral on 9 April 1894, under the baton of Hugh Blair, organist of the cathedral. The composer was absent from this performance due to the ill health.[1][4][5] Its first London performance took place at a Queen's Hall Promenade Concert on 21 September 1901.

The title translates from the Latin to read, "Lift up your hearts".

  1. ^ a b Kennedy, p.342
  2. ^ Moore, p.177
  3. ^ Moore, p.225
  4. ^ Moore, p.179
  5. ^ Foreman, Lewis (1989). Elgar: The Kingdom (PDF) (Media notes). Colchester, England: Chandos Records. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.