Salut d'amour

‘Salut d’amour’ is one of Edward Elgar’s best-known works. He composed the short duo for violin and piano in 1888 as an engagement present for his piano student Caroline Alice Roberts, whom he then married the following year. The dedication ‘à Carice’ was derived from her initials. Since Alice spoke German very well, Elgar originally chose the title ‘Liebesgruß’. The publishers Schott, to whom he sold all rights for a one-off fee of just two guineas in 1888, changed the title to the French ‘Salut d’amour’ in order to exploit the sales potential. The present piano version (plate number 24787-2) was created by Elgar himself and was published by Schott in 1889 along with the editions for violin and piano and for small chamber orchestra. Later, without Elgar’s involvement, the piece was arranged and published for all possible instrumental combinations. Elgar was naturally annoyed that he did not benefit financially himself from this success and in a letter to Novello & Co. In 1897 wrote: ‘[Salut d’amour] which unfortunately I sold some years ago for a nominal sum, now sells well – I understand 3000 copies were sold in the month of January alone.’