Why Kipling Scuppered Elgar's Sea-Songs

A lost work by Elgar resurfaces on a new recording

by Tom HigginsMonday, 09 November 2009

The Fringes of the Fleet: the cast of the 1917 premierePhoto by courtesy of the Elgar Museum

Elgar’s flag-waving nautical song-cycle The Fringes of the Fleet was performed to packed houses up and down the country in 1917, then sank virtually without trace for the next 90 years. As the work receives its first professional orchestral recording since Elgar's own, Tom Higgins, the conductor of the recording, explains how the work came into being, and why Rudyard Kipling had it banned.

In October Kipling learnt that his only son was missing in action. He apparently took the view that he did not want his war-poetry portrayed in the music hall

Explore topics

Share this article

The future of Arts Journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more Classical music

Sidorova, Philharmonia, Alsop, Royal Festival Hall review - ladies of the dance Vitality, virtuosity and sensuality on a pan-American trip

MacMillan's Ordo Virtutum, BBC Singers, Jeannin, Milton Court review - dramatic journey of a medieval soul Choral music's finest advocate runs the gamut in an epic battle of heaven and hell

Gilliver, Liverman, Rangwanasha, LSO, Pappano, Barbican review - a rainbow of British music Poetic Maconchy and Walton, surging Vaughan Williams bursting its confines

Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Fernandes, Gent, 229 review - a beguiling trip around the world Engagingly humble and empathetic work from three talented musicians

Manchester Collective, RNCM review - something special in new music Performers of extraordinary versatility fulfil their brief

Classical CDs: Elephants, bells and warm blankets Two great conductors celebrated, plus medieval choral music and an eclectic vocal recital

Widmann, LSO, Pappano, Barbican review - razor-sharp attack in adrenalin charges A great conductor continues his scorching survey of British symphonies with a hard-hitter

Nakariakov, SCO, Emelyanychev, Queen's Hall, Edinburgh review - a frenzied feast of contemporary classics 'New Dimensions' concerts continue to flourish

Biss, BBCSO, Hrůša, Barbican review - electrifying Shostakovich at a crucial time The Royal Opera's next music director achieves blazing results in a rich programme

BBC Singers, Aurora Orchestra, Collon, Kings Place review - on the way to heaven via King's Cross Intimate settings for a musical journey towards bliss

Classical CDs: Mandolins, trumpets and hot soup French chamber music, Viennese waltzes and a disc of viola duets

RAM Song Circle, Wigmore Hall review - excellent young musicians lift the spirits Royal Academy singers revel in merry monks, mourning mothers and morose musings

Follow @theartsdesk