Edward Elgar - Pomp and Circumstance March No. 3
for Organ Solo

Edward Elgar (1857-1934) completed five Pomp and Circumstance Military Marches, leaving sketches for a sixth. The title is borrowed from a line in Shakespeare’s Othello, “Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war!” At the London premiere of the 1st March in 1901, the conductor Henry Wood encored the piece twice, such was the enthusiasm for it. After the composition of the 4th March in 1907, it was not until 1930 that Elgar completed a 5th March.  Elgar composed the 3rd March in 1904, and it is dedicated to Ivor Atkins, organist of Worcester Cathedral. Unlike the other Marches, the music is often dark, threatening and sometimes even violent. Despite the triumphant return of the trio theme, the march ends in a turbulent mood, hardly celebratory. Many of Elgar’s works were arranged for organ in his lifetime, but only the 1st and 4th Marches were published. This arrangement is an unabridged version of the score, and was made in 2001.

​Available to purchase from Aria Editions here

A recording of the arrangement is available here:

Elgar - Organ Works

Robert Quinney, Organ
includes arrangements of Pomp and Circumstance Marches 3 and 5, Severn Suite
Signum Classics, 2011