Edward Elgar: As Torrents In Summer: TTBB: Vocal Score

The plot of Elgar’s King Olaf cantata has been criticized for it lack of cohesion but the musical settings contain power majesty stirring melodies joyous lyricism and a finale of immense proportion and emotional effect. As a lesser work of a great composer it certainly bears study. As a work on its own King Olaf rewards performers and listeners with superb moments. A final a capella Chorus As Torrents In Summer is frequently performed on its own.Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf is widely considered to be the best of Elgar’s pre-Enigma compositions. He was commissioned to write this work for the North Staffordshire Music Festival in 1896 and he chose to adaptsections of Longfellow’s Tales of a Wayside Inn with the assistance of his neighbour the translator H A Acworth. Acworth reduced the length of Longfellow’s twenty-two sections to just eight with added material.

From the cantata King Olaf with words by Longfellow.Arranged for trio of female voices (and piano accompaniment) by the composer.

From the cantata King Olaf , with words by Longfellow. Arranged for trio of female voices (and piano accompaniment) by the composer. / Chant Et Piano