Polonia (Elgar)

[2] It was first performed at the Polish Victims' Relief Fund Concert in the Queen's Hall, London on 6 July 1915, with the orchestra conducted by the composer.

[3] The Relief Fund was a worldwide effort, organised by Paderewski and Henryk Sienkiewicz, in aid of refugees from the terrible conflict in Poland between the forces of Russia and Germany.

about 16 bars & to ask you if you will give permission for the theme to be quoted when the score is printed: we are very anxious to know that you will not object to this & shall be glad of a reply as early as you can conveniently find.

I wished to quote a theme from you and the one chosen was suggested by our friend Mrs. C. Stuart Wortley[6] – whose choice can never be wrong.Paderewski received the work with genuine admiration.

The magical section following quotes from Chopin's Nocturne in G minor, played by a solo violin, during which the Paderewski theme is heard, and is quietly interrupted by the Warszawianka.

There is further development which leads to a triumphant return of the Chorale, which sounds like a conclusion to the work, but no: the Chorale dies away, there is a simple statement of the Polish National Anthem "Jeszcze Polska nie zginęła" ("Poland Is Not Yet Lost"), and it is this Anthem which brings the work to a brilliantly orchestrated conclusion.