Imperial March - Edward Elgar

In 1896 Edward Elgar submitted sketches for two new works to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. One work was The Banner of St George, the other was the Imperial March. Both captured the mood of public confidence and national celebration, and were immediate and considerable successes. But only the Imperial March has retained anything like that level of popularity. It is, on the whole, a lively, rumbustious march, tuneful, cheerful, exuberant, yet displaying a proper sense of restraint in its more subdued trio section. It is not difficult to see why this easily memorable march should so readily strike a chord in the wider public's affection.