Pomp and Circumstance Marches Pomp and Circumstance Marches The Pomp and Circumstance Marches (full title "Pomp and Circumstance Military Marches"), Op. 39, are a series of marches for orchestra composed by Sir Edward Elgar. They include some of Elgar's best-known compositions. The title is taken from Act III, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's "Othello": <poem>Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump, The spirit-stirring drum, th'ear-piercing fife, The royal banner, and all quality, Pride, "pomp, and circumstance" of glorious war!</poem> But also, on the score of the first march, Elgar set as a motto for the whole set of marches a verse from Lord de
Pomp and Circumstance Marches violins, four horns and two clarinets) and repeated by the full orchestra including two harps. What follows is a repetition of what has been heard before, including a fuller statement of the "Trio" (this time in the 'home' key of D) in which the orchestra is joined by organ as well as the two harps. The march ends, not with the big tune, but with a short section containing a brief reminder of the brisk opening march. March No. 2 was composed in 1901 and dedicated "To my friend Granville Bantock". The instrumentation is: piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2