♫ Elgar / Benson / Kathleen Ferrier: Land of Hope and Glory

↗Edward Elgar's "Land of Hope and Glory" is originally the Finale of his ↗Coronation Ode for soprano, contralto, tenor and bass soloists, chorus and orchestra, Op.44 (1901-02, rev. 1911):

• 1. Crown the King with Life, for soloists and chorus
• 2. (a) The Queen, (b) Daughter of Ancient Kings, for chorus
• 3. Britain, Ask of Thyself, for bass and men's chorus
• 4. (a) Hark upon the hallowed air, for soprano and tenor soloists; (b) Only let the heart be pure, for soprano, contralto, tenor and bass soloists
• 5. Peace, gentle peace, for soprano, contralto, tenor and bass soloists and chorus unaccompanied
• 6. Finale Land of Hope and Glory, for contralto solo, chorus and orchestra

Shortly after the death of Queen Victoria in January 1901, ↗Arthur Christopher Benson (1862-1925) had written the words for a Coronation Ode for the new king, Edward VII. These were then offered to Elgar who suggested the fitting of the trio tune of the first of his ↗POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE MARCHES Nos 1-5, op 39.
(↗elgar.org)

So attached was Elgar to the finale that he asked Benson to provide alternative words for a new arrangement of the tune as a self-standing song for solo voice. It is the chorus to this arrangement, first sung by Clara Butt in London in June 1902, that is sung at the Last Night of the Proms. Few who now join in these celebrations realise that the somewhat jingoistic words they sing are two steps removed from the full orchestral version of the Pomp and Circumstance March to which they sing them. The two sets of words are as follows:
Coronation Ode Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free, How may we extol thee, Who are born of thee? Truth and Right and Freedom, Each a holy gem, Stars of solemn brightness, weave thy diadem. Tho' thy way be darkened, Still in splendour drest, As the star that trembles O'er the liquid West. Throned amid the billows, Throned inviolate, Though hast reigned victorious, Though has smiled at fate. Land of Hope and Glory, Fortress of the Free, How may we extol thee, Praise thee, honour thee? Hark, a mighty nation Maketh glad reply; Lo, our lips are thankful, Lo, our hearts are high! Hearts in hope uplifted, Loyal lips that sing; Strong in faith and freedom, We have crowned our King!		Land of Hope and Glory Dear Land of Hope, thy hope is crowned God make thee mightier yet! On Sov'ran brows, belov'd, renown'd, Once more thy crown is set. Thine equal laws, by freedom gained, Have ruled thee well and long; By Freedom gained, by Truth maintain'd, Thine Empire shall be strong. Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free, How shall we extol thee, Who are born of thee? Wider still and wider Shall thy bounds be set, God, who made thee mighty Make thee mightier yet. (God, who made thee mighty Make thee mightier yet.) Thy fame is ancient as the days, As Ocean large and wide; A pride that dares, and heeds not praise, A stern and silent pride. Not that false joy that dreams content With what our sires have won; The blood a hero sire hath spent Still nerves a hero son. Land of Hope and Glory, etc.
↗elgar.org

In 1951 Kathleen Ferrier was diagnosed with the illness which in October 1953 caused her early death.
In November 1951 the Free Trade Hall in Manchester was packed for a Gala Reopening Concert (in the presence of the Queen, 3 months later the Queen Mother), following bomb damage in World War 2.
KF was recovering from her surgery, and subsequent treatments.
Sir John Barbirolli asked if she was strong enough to sing the Final Piece. It had never been in her repertoire as she associated it with big contraltos with very big voices from earlier in the century.
She readily agreed to Sir John's request and what we hear is her only rendition of Land of Hope and Glory by Elgar.
She sings it in the unmistakeable Ferrier tradition, and permits the audience to sing ff with the patriotic overtones. Sounds like a great ending to this very special concert.
To have her on record singing this is I imagine the latest gem to emerge from the vaults.
It was made available courtesy of the Barbirolli Society.
The disc is devoted to other Barbirolli/Halle Orchestra pieces from 1969 back to 1951.
The music critic of the Manchester Guardian ended his critique thus "It was fine and it was right, but lovers of the tune will fear that never again can they hope to hear it in such glory. 'There were few dry eyes', as notices of such events used to say".
BBC Legends. BBCL 4100-2.
(↗lochness11 on YouTube)

Hyperlinks:
↗Land of Hope and Glory - Wikipedia
↗ClipMarks
↗Kathleen Ferrier Videos