Cello Songs After the War in Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
IV. Allegro
Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
I'm Elgar, and I'm glad to be the one explaining the fourth movement of my Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, the Allegro. In about 11½ minutes, the longest movement of the four, you'll hear a brisk, energetic start settle into a slower, more thoughtful close, and you'll see how a last movement can end quietly. Since my fellow composers and I also teach you on this site to recognize our pieces when they play, why not take the Trainer for a spin and try it?
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Follow the Cello, Ignore the Program Notes
Keep your ears on the solo cello, because in this last movement it is the one voice that never leaves the stage. Around it the strings, woodwinds, brass and timpani act as a lively crowd, sometimes pushing the cello along and sometimes stepping back so it can be heard. Notice when the orchestra gets loud and when it drops to a murmur, since that tells you how the cello is feeling at that moment. You need no training for this, because the movement lasts about 11½ minutes and the mood changes are easy to hear.Why It's Called Allegro, and Why That Isn't the Whole Story
Allegro is simply the Italian word for lively, and that is how I wanted this movement to begin. After the quiet, inward music that came before, I felt the concerto needed some energy and forward motion. But the full marking is Allegro – Moderato – Allegro, ma non troppo – Poco più lento – Adagio, so the title only names the starting point of a longer journey. Think of it as a street name that gets you to the first corner, with the rest of the walk still ahead.Choosing a Shape Was an Adventure in Itself
I didn't want to squeeze this movement into a textbook label, so I let the tempo markings divide it into five stretches. Those stretches run from lively, to moderate, to lively again but with restraint, then a little slower, and finally very slow. That makes it the longest of the four movements, and it needs the room, because it has a lot to say. I'll take the sections one by one now, so you'll always know where you are.Section 1: The Cello Rolls Up Its Sleeves
The movement opens at Allegro, and the solo cello sounds brisk and determined, as if it has somewhere important to be. The orchestra answers with firm, energetic playing, so the mood feels active and a little defiant. I stay in the concerto's home key of E minor here, which gives the energy a serious, slightly stormy colour. If you only remember one thing from this stretch, remember the feeling of forward motion.Section 2: A Deep Breath in the Middle of the Run
Next the marking becomes Moderato, which means the pace eases to something moderate. The cello can now stretch out and sing, with longer notes and a warmer sound than in the busy opening. The orchestra supports it more gently, and you can hear the mood turn from restless to thoughtful. It's a short pause for reflection, and the contrast with what came before is the whole point.Section 3: Fast Again, but With Good Manners
Then comes Allegro, ma non troppo, which means lively but not too much. The energy returns, though it feels more controlled and measured than it did in the opening. The cello and the orchestra seem to trade ideas, and I like to think of it as a conversation between old friends who disagree politely. Listen for how the movement gathers strength here, because it is heading toward something.Section 4: The Brakes Go On, Gently
The marking now reads Poco più lento, which means a little slower. You will feel the music loosen its grip, and the sound becomes softer and more inward. The cello sounds less like a performer and more like someone speaking quietly to themselves. This is the moment when the lively mood of the start gives way to something more personal.Section 5: The Slow Walk to the Door
The final marking is Adagio, the slowest of them all, and the music settles into a calm, serious mood. Everything the movement has said so far seems to be gathered up and quietly set down. Listen for the cello and the orchestra winding down together, because this is where the whole concerto comes to rest. It's a bittersweet farewell, and I think it suits the work better than a cheerful flourish would.Over to You, Press Play
Now I invite you to hear this movement for yourself, so press play and let the music carry you. While it runs, keep in mind the five stretches we talked about and see if you can spot each change of pace. Don't worry if you miss one, because the music is meant to be felt and not just counted. I hope you enjoy the journey through my Allegro as much as I enjoyed building it.---
I hope you enjoyed learning about the final movement of my Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, the Allegro, and that it gave you a few new things to listen for. There is still a good deal more to explore in the Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, from the story of how it came to be to the way people have played it over the years. Please click on the links provided to keep exploring my Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, and then come back to the music with fresh ears. Whenever you return to it, I hope the long, quiet ending stays with you a little while after the last note has faded.