Conference “Elgar in Turkey”Conference and Recital
05 June 2014 / 18:30
Pera Museum is pleased to present a special conference by music historian Emre Aracı accompanied with a recital by Cihat Aşkın, honoring British composer Sir Edward Elgar’s 80th commemoration of his death and centennial of his visit to Turkey.
“Glorious sunrise, & the minarets of Stamboul began to come thro the mist - wonderful wonderful” wrote Sir Edward Elgar in his diary on the day he arrived in Istanbul on board a steamship on 25 September 1905. A century later, browsing through the pages of his autograph diary, Emre Aracı traces the British composer’s little-known trip to Istanbul which was followed by Izmir. During his stay, in Tarabya Elgar also had the opportunity to perform at a private concert. A mini recital featuring Cihat Aşkın accompanies Emre Aracı’s illustrated lecture at Pera Museum as Elgar’s Turkish sojourn is brought back to life. This will also be the launch of Aracı’s new book “Elgar in Turkey” published by Pera Museum.
Cihat Aşkın violinAylin Ateş mezzo-sopranoCan Okan piano
The conference language is Turkish. Admissions free.
Emre Aracı
Emre Aracı has been living in Great Britain since 1987. He graduated from Edinburgh University’s Faculty of Music with BMus (Hons) and PhD degrees. He has published widely, based on his extensive research on the musical relations between Turkey and Europe, and has recorded CDs with Kalan, Warner, and Brilliant Classics. Inspired by WPR Cope’s ceremonial march composed for Yuduf Agah Efendi, Aracı composed The Turkish Ambassador’s Grand March in 1998 in Ambassador Özdem Sanberk’s honor.
Mavi Boncuk |
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1905In Smyrnakeyboardpiano, pub. "Queen's Christmas Carol Book"[1], repub. NovelloPublisher:Daily Mail,Novello
Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet, OM, GCVO (2 June 1857 – 23 February 1934) was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos for violin and cello, and two symphonies. He also composed choral works, including The Dream of Gerontius, chamber music and songs. He was appointed Master of the King's Musick in 1924.
[1] THE QUEEN’S CHRISTMAS CAROL – Thomas Hardy, Edward Elgar, Bram Stoker (1905) Year Of Print: 1905 Publisher: Daily Mail Size: 11" x 8.5"
An Anthology of Poems, Stories, Essays, Drawings and Music by British Authors, Artists and Composers, published by The Daily Mail of London, on behalf of Queen Alexandra's Fund For The Unemployed in 1905. Contributors include Alfred Austin (Poet Laureate), Sir Edward Elgar, W S Gilbert, Thomas Hardy, Robert Hichens, W Holman Hunt, George Meredith, Max Pemberton, Bram Stoker, A C Swinburne, The Bishop of London and many more. 120 pages
source: an Elgar Timeline
September 15, 1905
"Indecision about the Mediterranean cruise! "Frank started about 7.30. I saw him & sd. E. sd. he cd. not go. After E had showerbath. he sd. he should! Dear nice time over breakfast. Then E to Cathedral. After settling house A. went out & got things for E & a box & suit case had his initials painted on box & packed. May fetched things from Herefd. E. went 2.45 train A. in cab with him - E. much touched by all the week & success of works & love shown him. Suddenly all the house party appeared to see him off. E. & F started at 9 - Mrs. Gandy left after tea Canon Gorton at 10 P.M." Elgar kept a journal of his trip: "Left Worcester 2.45. Arrd. Paddn. - drove to Old Queen St. Bought cigarettes (Grécque), gum for labels, sent telegram to Alice. Dined at Pall Mall restaurant with Frank then to Charing Cross. P. & O. Indian Mail Boat. Hopeless confusion: left at 9. good crossing to Calais - then boarded the P & O Mail. I had a berth with a young Greek. bouillon & then to bed: did not attempt to undress. Slept fitfully."
September 16, 1905
"Canon Gorton writes again to Mrs Gorton: "Elgar started yesterday afternoon with Schuster [2] to join the Fleet - he is going on flagship for Constantinople & isles of Greece - Lady Elgar went with him to the station - I suggested that we should follow Mrs. Worthington Mrs. Gandy, Carice & Miss Grafton their niece We just raced down the platform in time to see him & had great fun I met coming back Muriel Foster, and had a long walk & talk with her - about Elgar & his future -"
September 17, 1905
"Rose at 7.30. Tea. Glorious day. Found we were beyond Bologna. Travelled all day through varied country - olives; desert appallingly gloomy - stopped at many stations apparently without cause: arrd. at Brindisi at 8 instead of 6. Wild scramble for luggage - at last drove to the ship: found that no Austrian Lloyd ship sailed - so had to go in a small Italian steamer (Scilla, Palermo). Very small cabins. Started about midnight. Slept fairly"
September 18, 1905
"Woke about eight arrived at Corfu about 9. Lovely looking fortification - like in Böcklin picture, square stone buildings on hills with cypresses - went ashore in small boats - very wobbly - landed & drove to hotel S. Georges. Bath & dejeuner - too hot to walk about - remained ashore until 3.30. Sea rough & small boats more wobbly than before - sailed about five. Glorious evening - wonderful sea, sky & mountains. Then gorgeous sunset. Dined (14) on deck - a wonderful experience - to bed at 10."
September 19, 1905
Lady Maud Warrender was also on the trip: "Unfortunately the weather broke on our way to Patras. H.M.S. Surprise had a most uncomfortable way of behaving in a rough sea, quite unlike any other craft I have ever been in, a sort of corkscrew motion which, good sailor though I am, completely defeated me. Lady Charlie (Beresford) was the only one who did not succumb. She even managed to sit on a surging music stool and play "The Ride of the Valkyries," and the "Fire Music" at the height of the storm, when everyone else was prone, and utterly miserable. At Patras, where we were to leave the yacht, there was a big sea running in the harbour. Unless we caught the little steamer to Fiume which only tan once a week, it meant staying in a very bad hotel in a very dull place. Mrs. Craigie and myself hated the idea of this, so we made up our minds to make a dash in a small boat for the steamer, leaving "Frankie Schu" and Edward Elgar quivering on the quay, not daring to face the risk of getting alongside in a horrible sea. We just made it, but we went through a hideously uncomfortable and hot time in this fig cargo boat before reaching Fiume. There were so many figs on board that the sides of our cabins were a moving mass of white maggots, racing each other up the walls. That procession has made me doubtful about Smyrna figs ever since."
September 20, 1905
Wednesday, arose about 9. much better owing to Dr. Fraser's doses. Breakfast alone. Then on deck: glorious view Athens - Acropolis &c &c & the fleet (17) all around us. Admiral to lunch. Then ashore with party - Lady C. Frank & I drove to Acropolis - walked round (saw kitten) - then drove thro Athens tea at Hotel then to hotel on the shore. Massed bands of the fleet playing in Casino. Admiral's party sat aloft on Hotel balcony - huge crowd below - Minister there & Greek military & Naval representatives. The Minister (Sir Francis Elliott) came on board the Surprise to dinner, to bed at eleven."
September 21, 1905
Maud Warrender again: "Lady Charlie and Mrs. Craigie had a somewhat flamboyant taste in clothes and floating veils. Their appearance on the quay was such an astonishment to the Greeks that they would be surrounded by a mob, and Frankie Schuster, Bogie Harris and I found it less disconcerting to land at another time."
September 22, 1905
"Fleet began to prepare to move about 6 - Sailed off one by one about 7. Seemed quite lonely. Last despatch for shore from Surprise announced about 9. At eleven anchor raised & we started, taking a long, long look, for the last time, at Athens & the Parthenon. Then began a lovely voyage: round Cape Colonna - thro Doro Channel to Lemnos, during the day we passed the fleet in singles and twos - much firing at targets &c. The most gorgeous sunset we have yet seen. Our party seemed small at dinner - 6 including Capt Bruen. To bed at eleven. Discovered to our horror that the port holes are always closed during the voyage. Frank & I cd. not face being below, so I lay in the saloon, did not sleep much on acct of noise. Frank had a slung bed on the poop."
September 23, 1905
"Arrived off Lemnos about six o'c & went on deck: entered a landlocked bay. Maine already arrived, & a yacht at anchor. As soon as we had anchored portholes opened & to bed for an hour. Expect a telegram here. Telegram arrived. Deo gratias came from Kistro, eight miles on a donkey. Fleet arrived, very grand sight, solemn procession & grand noise anchoring. Admiral to lunch. in afternoon Frank & I ashore. All Turks - poor dried up little village, quite eastern: dogs about. We walked thro the village & out to open country. Heard a pretty shepherd boy playing on a pipe quite beautiful - gorgeous sunset back to ship with the Warrenders & changed into Surprise boat, which we met, en route. Admiral to dinner, very sleepy after the all night manoeuvres without lights Decisive news that the fleet nor Lady Charlie may not go near Constantinople on acct of tension. Frank decided that I must go - so to bed."
September 26, 1905
"No headache, up at 8.30 glorious weather: providence is kinder to Moslems than to Xtians! To S. Sofia - very large & grand but uninspiring & ugly. Women were admitted to a railed off portion today, it being some special feast. At the high Altar, or where it wd. be in a church, saw one woman in pure white, one in purple & a child in pink, beautiful effect of colour. The lavatories in the church: most striking. Then to the bazaar: where we had lunch, which was wretched - again through bazaar & then to drive round the old walls. Lady M. & Frank struck after a couple of miles, but Mrs. Craigie & I went on & Sir G. & Mr. Harris followed, wonderful gigantic. We ascended a tower & saw the so called prisons & the well, road outside the walls horribly bad. Cemeteries Greek, Armenian, & Turkish - entered Stamboul by one of the gates & drove thro' the Turkish quarter: all out in 100000 being a fest, minarets illuminated - many priests out fearing a row, & secret police, so the (Embassy) dragoman said. Dinner altogether & to bed early."
September 27, 1905
"In the night the most fearful noise by the dogs - a sound I never dreamt possible - like 40,000 dogs - they were just under the window - this terrible noise came on about 1.30. Rose about 8.30. At 10 drove to the Seraglio - special permit, received by an Attaché (?) somebody important anyway - the 'Minister of the Treasury’ was present - much undoing of doors, presenting arms, saluting us &c &c. Treasury very dull, then to Library & the two other kiosks overlooking the sea. In the last we were entertained: We all sat round the gorgeous room, many Turkish servants - one superior - first, one carried round a stand, with a raised centre, on which stood a glass jar of rose leaf jam. Tumblers of iced water surrounded it - you took a teaspoon & ate the jam, & drank the water - this left a beautiful, delicate taste of roses all down your throat & round your mouth. Next the servants brought in cigarettes & placed tables (very poor ones) with brass ash trays on them. Next a man in uniform: very gorgeous carried in a large round tray covered with a fine piece of embroidery another man followed with a sort of censer in which swung the coffee pot. The tray was uncovered & the coffee cups disclosed. We drank this - (it was brought round solemnly & poured out to each one) & the function was over. We rose & (with) much saluting & banging of muskets on the marble we retired. Walked thro' gardens & found the carriages - then to Bazaar, more 'engaging' than ever, bought a few things - pipe mouthpiece & an eikon. Then drove to the Club (near the Hotel) to lunch with Capt & Mrs. Bruen. Then grand squaring up of bills!"
September 28, 1905
"Rose at 8. Steamers continually calling. Lovely views - a straight line of view up to Black Sea. Walked into Embassy Gardens. Monument erected 1847, commemorating presentation of the land to B. Govt. by the Sultan. To lunch at the Embassy. All luggage in blue boat - we left in Ambassador's barge great confusion as to passports. All got off safely. Mauritius steamer 'Yangtse' - very large & roomy, but not clean. Last view of Stamboul - wonderful. To bed early & slept well."
September 29, 1905
"At sea, rose at 8, party all well & cheerful. The same views later - pink mountains, blue sea & sky, & little ships. Great heaps of salt (Govt. monopoly) all down the eastern coast - looked like ranges of huge white tents. Fair dejeuner at 10.30 - arrived at Smyrna about 2. No fleet arrived. As the Yangtse did not sail until next day we remained on board. Then came in the Carnarvon (Sir G. W's ship) & a boat came off. We all went over to the C. to tea - Sir G. & Lady M. & Mr Harris went ashore but Frank Mrs Craigie, & I remained on Carnarvon till 7. The Surprise came in & anchored & we went, with very thankful hearts to be home, on board & found Lady C. very radiant & welcoming. Gave Lady C. the onyx chibouk for stick handle. At last had some letters - eight had accumulated & I read them all at once." Alice, meanwhile: "Left Ridgehurst with Mrs. Speyer at 10.15? She took luggage to Paddington for A. A. to Stores & dentist. Then to lunch at Club, then to Liberty's then tea with Mrs. Worthington & then to Oxford. Mr. Townshend met her. Warm welcome."
September 30, 1905
"Good news of E. D.G. Went with Mr. T. & Miss Fleming to University Galleries, saw Turner sketches - lovely, & called on Mrs. Spooner (wife of William Spooner, or Spoonerism fame). At 3. somethg. left for home - found all well." Elgar: Rose early - glorious day. Frank. Lady M & I ashore went to the bazaar, much finer sight than Constantinople. Colour movement & camels - 100s - led by a donkey through the bazaar. Lady M. gave me a silver camel lamp in remembrance of my first eastern camel. Back to Surprise to lunch, Admiral came, rested through the heat & then all including Capt Bruen ashore: drove thro' the town right up to the fortifications - tomb of S. Polycarp - tremendous view, last part on foot to the watch tower. descended & made detour round the 'Camel bridge' Mrs Craigie & I drove together: wonderful gorges with remains of ancient aqueducts. we were in the last carriage harness broke - repaired with string & then wild gallop irrespective of rough road to catch the others, one horse fell - more broken harness - yells & excitement. Drove all thro' the narrow streets to quay. This was my first touch with Asia, & I was quite overcome. the endless camels made the scene more real than in Stamboul, the extraordinary colour & movement, light & shade were intoxicating."
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October 1, 1905"Rose late. Very, very hot & sirocco blowing - Peculiar feeling of intense heat & wind. Frank to Bulwark for service. Early lunch & then (at 2 o.c.) ashore & drove to the Mosque of dancing dervishes. Party -"
October 2, 1905
"Bad headache: Went for a short trip in the steam launch round the fleet. Beautiful views of a most beautiful place."
October 3, 1905
Maud Warrender[*] remembers: "Unfortunately the weather broke on our way to Patras. HMS Surprise had a most uncomfortable way of behaving in a rough sea, quite unlike any other craft I have ever been in, a sort of corkscrew motion which, good sailor though I am, completely defeated me. Lady Charlie was the only one who did not succumb. She even managed to sit on a surging music stool and play 'The Ride of the Valkyries' at the height of the storm, when everyone else was prone and utterly miserable."
October 4, 1905
"Frank & I really too ill to attempt to go on - but no steamer possible until Saturday."
October 5, 1905
"For my tea the waiter ran out into the street as the goats were coming in. One was caught & milked into my jug, on the tram lines."
October 6, 1905
"Bought a dagger from the man who made it."
October 7, 1905
Kreisler is quoted in the Hereford Times: "If you want to know whom I consider to be the greatest living composer, I say without hesitation, Elgar. I place him on an equal footing with my idols, Beethoven and Brahms. I wish Elgar would write something for the violin. He could do so, and it would be certainly something effective."
October 8, 1905
Elgar sends a post-card to his father: "On my way home: starting off here. Goodbye to Greece. Love Edward"
November 8, 1905
The toure over, Elgar goes to Birmingham for the Jubilee Celebrations of the Midland Institute. Hall Caine writes to Elgar: "I have the Queen’s authority to publish, on behalf of Her Majesty’s fund for the relief of the Unemployed, a beautiful book, to be called “The Queen’s Christmas Carol”, and having submitted your name to Her Majesty as a possible contributor to the volume, I am writing in great haste to ask if you can kindly send something (however brief it may be) for this purpose." Elgar agrees - the result is the piano piece "In Smyrna", remembering his Mediterranean cruise.
December 22, 1905
Mina Beresford, wife of Admiral Charles Beresford, writes to Elgar from Admiralty House, Malta: "... I am dying to see the new book (The Queen's Christmas Carol) which so far I’ve not got but I am hoping for it! Please write something for me in remembrance of the Greek Islands I shd cherish it much. The Bandmaster here is playing away all your nice things & it reminds us of you. We all cherish the hope that you will come out again soon –
[2] Frank Schuster (24 September 1852 – 26 December 1927), was a music-lover and patron of the arts in the United Kingdom. His home overlooking St James's Park[1] at 22 Old Queen Street, London, part of which now contains offices of The Spectator magazine, became a meeting-place for artists, writers and musicians, including Siegfried Sassoon, John Singer Sargent, Walter Sickert, Sir Edward Elgar and Sir Adrian Boult. He was a particular patron of Edward Elgar.
He was educated at Eton College and was homosexual as were many of his friends. Like Sassoon, Schuster was of Jewish descent. In 1924, knowing that Sassoon was suffering from depression, Schuster made him the gift of his first car. He also allowed Sassoon to stay at his popular country retreat, The Hut, opposite Monkey Island at Bray-on-Thames, but the two were never lovers. Schuster also had many heterosexual friends.
He was a close friend and travelling companion of composer Edward Elgar, and helped foster Elgar's popularity in the years leading up toWorld War I. Elgar dedicated his concert-overture "In the South (Alassio)", completed in 1904, to Schuster. No longer rich when he died he ensured Elgar's old age would be provided for. Adrian Boult While still a schoolboy, met the composer Edward Elgar through Frank Schuster, a family friend at Schuster's house in 1905.
[*]Lady Ethel Maud Warrender (nee Ashley-Cooper) (1870-1945), Daughter of 8th Earl of Shaftesbury; wife of Sir George John Scott Warrender, 7th Bt
[**] Charles William de la Poer Beresford, 1st Baron Beresford GCB GCVO (10 February 1846 – 6 September 1919), styled Lord Charles Beresford between 1859 and 1916, was a British admiral and Member of Parliament. Beresford was in command of the Mediterranean Fleet from 1905 until 1907. David Beatty, then a captain serving under Beresford, commented that Beresford's command of the fleet was characterised by 'rigid training and discouragement of initiative'. Beresford aspired to reach the navy's most senior post, First Sea Lord, but the position was held by Fisher, who was widely respected.
