A Memorial Plaque to Sir Edward Elgar located in the Village Gardens near to the Gerwn Waterfall. It is known that Sir Edward visited Llangrannog in 1901, and allegedly after listening to a Choir on the Beach, gave him inspiration to write some of his music.

Below is an extract from a book written about Elgar, by an unknown author

(In August 1901 the head of the school where Elgar taught violin in Malvern,
a Miss Rosa Burley, took a house in Llangrannog and invited Elgar to come
and stay with her.  Elgar had been rather depressed and so accepted the
invitation.
It was impossible for Elgar to stay in the same house as Miss Burley as she
was accompanied by various members of her family so she arranged for him to
stay in a neighbouring cottage and have his meals with her.

Quote "The house stood on the edge of the shore, next door to the inn, which
was probably the 'Pentre Arms'.  The pub is still there and used to have a
house next door which was rented for summer visitors. The house itself is
now part of the pub." Unquote.

Elgar was really delighted with the place enjoying the sea, the scenery and
the food.

Quote "One day whilst out walking on the sea shore, the sound of distant
singing reached him from a group of people on a hillside across the bay. No
melodic line could be identified at that distance, but there was a frequent
drop of a third which Elgar thought typical of Welsh music.
This idea was to remain with him and he appeared to have a Welsh Overture in
mind, indicated by the suggested scoring of the 'Welsh' melody in his sketch
book, which is also inscribed 'Ynis Llochtryn' (sic).  Later, however the
idea was to be used as the second subject in his 'Introduction and Allegro
for String Orchestra.'  The first performance of this piece was given at the
Queen's Hall on March 8 1905.  Elgar wrote the performance notes himself and
states;

' Some three years ago in Cardiganshire, I thought of writing a brilliant
piece for string orchestra.  On the cliff between blue sea and blue sky,
thinking out my theme, there came up to me the sound of singing. The songs
were too far away to reach me distinctly, but one point common to all was
impressed upon me, and led me to think, perhaps wrongly, that it was a real
Welsh idiom - I mean the fall of a third. ')

With acknowledgment to Wendy Jenkins for sending us this information

Click on the Web Links below to further information on Sir Edward Elgar Life and Music

The Elgar Society and The Elgar Foundation

Elgar Museum