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 chromatic upward scale from the woodwind. The whole of this lively march section is repeated. The bridging section between this and the well-known "Trio" has rhythmic chords from the brass punctuating high held notes from the wind and strings, before a fanfare from trumpets and trombones leads into the theme with which the march started. There are a few single notes that quieten, ending with a single quiet tap from side drum and cymbal accompanied by all the bassoons. The famous, lyrical "Land of Hope and Glory" "trio" follows (in the subdominant key of G), played softly (by the first