A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Elegy

by John Hullah

ELEGY (έλεγος). In its original sense a poem, always of a sad and touching character, and generally commemorative of some lamented decease (e.g. Gray's Elegy); subsequently such a poem with music; and still more recently a piece of music inspired by the same feeling and suggested by a like occasion, but without poem, or any words whatever. The elegy has taken many musical forms; that of the vocal solo, duet, trio, quartet, etc., with or without accompaniment; of the instrumental solo for the violin, pianoforte, or other instrument, and of the concerted piece for stringed or other instruments. One of the most beautiful specimens of the first class extant is Beethoven's quartet in memory of the deceased wife of his friend Baron Pasqualati ('Elegischer Gesang,' op. 118). In the score of Handel's 'Saul' the lament of the Israelites over the king and Jonathan is entitled 'Elegy.' Of the second we have Dussek's 'Elégie harmonique' on the death of Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, for piano solo. Better known than either of these to the modern concert-goer is Ernst's 'Elégie' for violin solo with piano accompaniment. Of the third class a better instance can hardly be cited than Mr. Arthur Sullivan's overture 'In Memoriam,' which is in truth an elegy on the composer's father.

[ J. H. ]