Cockaigne (In London Town) Overture, Op. 40

Quick Facts

• Pronounced “ka-kain” (IPA: kɒˈkeɪn)
• Written between 1900-01
• Premiered in 1901 at Queen’s Hall, London, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (who had commissioned the piece) and conducted by the composer
• Dedicated to “my many friends, the Members of British Orchestras.”¹

About the Piece

• Elgar wrote of the piece:

“I call it ‘Cockayne’ and it is cheerful and Londony – stout and steaky… honest, healthy, humorous, and strong, but not vulgar…”

• Cockaigne Overture offers a variety of city scenes, including:
  • Cheerful Aspect of London
  • Strong and Sincere character of Londoners
  • The Lovers’ Romance
  • Young London’s Interruption
  • The Military Band
  • In the Church
  • In the Streets
• In Medieval European lore, “Cockaigne” refers to a land of extreme luxury and unimaginable indulgence. However, in the 17th-century allegory “The Isle of Man” by Richard Bernard, the author describes Cockagine as “an England perfected: the people do live in peace, the Land prospereth, Justice flourisheth…and the enemies at home and abroad made to fear.”²

1. Diana McVeagh, “Elgar, Sir Edward,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed March 15, 2023, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000008709.
2. Marianne Williams Tobias, “COCKAIGNE,” Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (2016), accessed March 15, 2023, https://www.indianapolissymphony.org/backstage/program-notes/elgar-cockaigne/.