This four-movement work was written by the composer at the age of 62 in the summer of 1919, shortly after the end of World War I. It was premiered in October of the same year by Felix Salmond and the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Elgar himself. Its virtuoso performance by Jacqueline du Pré (1945-1987), a female cellist who had a tragic final year, is widely known, and it ranks alongside Dvo?ák's Cello Concerto as a popular cello concerto. Tsutsumi Tsuyoshi, one of Japan's leading cellists, provides thought-provoking bowing and fingering instructions.