In the South (Alassio)

In the South (Alassio), Op. 50, is a concert overture composed by Edward Elgar during a family holiday in Italy in the winter of 1903 to 1904. More than twenty minutes long, it may also be considered a "tone poem".

The work is dedicated "To my friend Leo F. Schuster".

The subtitle "Alassio" refers to the town on the Italian Riviera where Elgar and his family stayed. He strolled around during the visit, while the buildings, landscape and history of the town provided him with sources of inspiration. He later recalled:

The première of the work was given by the Hallé Orchestra on 16 March 1904, the third day of an "Elgar Festival" at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. It was to have been conducted by Hans Richter, but as Elgar did not have the score ready in time for Richter to study it before the performance, Elgar conducted the orchestra himself. Frank Schuster was with the Elgars at the première.

Theodore Thomas led the U.S. premiere with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on November 4, 1904.

Perhaps the best known part of the piece is the central serenade played by a solo viola (Excerpt). In July of the same year, Elgar took this section from the piece and fitted it to a poem by Shelley as a song under the title In Moonlight. Later he made several instrumental versions titled "Canto Popolare".

Excerpt

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