Elgar's 2nd Symphony was written in early 1911, and was premiered on 18 May, six days after the death of Gustav Mahler.
It was received with considerably less rapture than the 1st Symphony, and was felt not to reflect the overriding mood of optimism of a nation excited by the forthcoming coronation of George V.
Elgar was appointed to the Order of Merit in the Coronation Honours in the same year, but refused to attend the coronation.






