Sospiri op. 70

'Sospiri' is one of those brief, highly atmospheric studies that abound in practically all music publishers' catalogues around 1900. This piece, however, owes its survival beyond its time of origin only in part to the unbroken esteem enjoyed by Edward Elgar. The piece contains a number of striking features and is far superior to the mass-produced, sentimental parlour pieces of the time.