# Sospiri

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{{Short description|Elgar, opus 70}}
{{For|the Italian racing driver|Vincenzo Sospiri}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{italic title}}
'''''Sospiri''''', Op. 70, is an [adagio](/source/Tempo) for [string orchestra](/source/string_orchestra), harp (or piano), and [organ](/source/Organ_(music)) (or [harmonium](/source/Pump_organ))<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://imslp.org/wiki/Sospiri,_Op.70_(Elgar,_Edward) |title=IMSLP, Elgar: Sospiri |accessdate=2014-07-22}}</ref> composed by [Edward Elgar](/source/Edward_Elgar) just before and performed just after the beginning of [World War I](/source/World_War_I).

Elgar originally intended it for violin and piano, as a companion piece to ''[Salut d'Amour](/source/Salut_d'Amour)'' and had in mind the title ''Soupir d'Amour'' (French for "Sigh of Love").  While composing it he realised that he was writing something more intense, and so chose an Italian word, ''sospiri'', meaning "sighs".<ref>[http://www.cheltenhamsymphonyorchestra.info/prognotes.htm Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra: programme notes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721192202/http://www.cheltenhamsymphonyorchestra.info/prognotes.htm |date=2011-07-21 }}</ref>

The work, with a performance time of approximately five minutes, was first performed on 15 August 1914 in the [Queen's Hall](/source/Queen's_Hall) in London, conducted by [Sir Henry Wood](/source/Henry_Wood).

''Sospiri'' was dedicated to Elgar's long-time friend, the violinist [W. H. "Billy" Reed](/source/William_Henry_Reed).<ref>[https://www.elgar.org/3sospiri.htm Elgar – His Music: Sospiri, Op.70]</ref>

==Structure==
Adagio 4/4 [d minor](/source/d_minor)

After the introduction of two bars, a melancholic melody is played by the first violin (Excerpt 1).

Excerpt 1<score>
\relative c' \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } {
 \key d \minor \time 4/4 \tempo "Quasi recit."
  r8\fermata e'4\upbow \p \< (g8) a2~\> << a8 { s16 s16\! } >> a4( c8) d,2~ d8 c\<( d e\!) f--[ e--] d4~ d8 c-- d-- e~( e\>[ c]) c4\!
 }
</score>

The other subject is displayed more passionately (Excerpt 2).

Excerpt 2<ref group= "n">A [grace note](/source/grace_note) appeared in third bar should be slashed.</ref><score>
\relative c' \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } {
 \key d \minor \time 4/4 \partial 2..
  a'8\mf ( a') a, g'2~ g8^\markup { \bold largamente } f\< e'\f \fermata f, d'2~
  d8 es,\dim ( c'\!) es,, \grace es bes''2~_\markup { \dynamic p \italic dolce } \< bes8\! a,\>( g') f,\! f'2 \p
 }
</score>

Excerpt 1 reappears, followed by dying end in the harmony of [F major](/source/F_major).

==Notes and references==
'''Notes'''
{{Reflist|group= "n"}}
'''References'''
{{Reflist}}

== Sources ==
* Score, Elgar: Sospiri, Breitkopf & Härtel, Leipzig, 1914

==External links==
*[https://www.elgar.org/3sospiri.htm Sospiri, Op. 70] on the site of the [Elgar Society](/source/Elgar_Society), {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027102724/http://www.elgar.org:80/3sospiri.htm |date=27 October 2019}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPMoOk5GzXk "Sospiri, Op. 70" by Edward Elgar], with [Sol Gabetta](/source/Sol_Gabetta) and the Danmarks Radio SymfoniOrkestret, at youtube.com
*{{IMSLP2|work=Sospiri,_Op.70_(Elgar,_Edward)}}
*{{allMusic|class=composition|id=mc0002366064}}

{{Edward Elgar}}
{{Authority control}}

Category:1914 compositions
Category:Compositions by Edward Elgar
Category:Compositions for string orchestra
Category:Music for orchestra and organ

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sospiri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sospiri) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sospiri?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.