Professor irate over snub of arts in UK
Source: Agencies |
June 30, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE removal of British composer Edward Elgar from the 20 pound note is a "national disgrace" as it means the arts will no longer be represented on bank notes, a university music professor said yesterday.
The Bank of England has been phasing out Elgar since 2007, gradually replacing him on the 20 pound note with 18th century economist Adam Smith. He will be withdrawn from circulation today.
Elgar, an early 20th century composer who penned the music to the patriotic British song Land of Hope and Glory, had featured on the note for 11 years.
"Edward Elgar is an iconic figure and a fitting symbol of artistic inspiration in England," said Jeremy Dibble, a music professor at Durham University.
"Dropping Elgar tells us much about the way in which the arts are now viewed in England. Bank notes should applaud the greatest aspects of England and English culture."
Almost 60 percent of all bank notes in circulation in Britain are 20 pound notes.
The five, 10 and 50 pound notes feature, respectively, pictures of prison reformer Elizabeth Fry, naturalist Charles Darwin and John Houblon, the first Governor of the Bank of England.
"The withdrawal of the Edward Elgar 20 pound note is a national disgrace as the arts will no longer be visible on our notes," said Dibble. "Science and economics are important but so too are the arts."
Historical figures previously used on Bank of England notes include physicist Isaac Newton and novelist Charles Dickens.
The Bank of England has been phasing out Elgar since 2007, gradually replacing him on the 20 pound note with 18th century economist Adam Smith. He will be withdrawn from circulation today.
Elgar, an early 20th century composer who penned the music to the patriotic British song Land of Hope and Glory, had featured on the note for 11 years.
"Edward Elgar is an iconic figure and a fitting symbol of artistic inspiration in England," said Jeremy Dibble, a music professor at Durham University.
"Dropping Elgar tells us much about the way in which the arts are now viewed in England. Bank notes should applaud the greatest aspects of England and English culture."
Almost 60 percent of all bank notes in circulation in Britain are 20 pound notes.
The five, 10 and 50 pound notes feature, respectively, pictures of prison reformer Elizabeth Fry, naturalist Charles Darwin and John Houblon, the first Governor of the Bank of England.
"The withdrawal of the Edward Elgar 20 pound note is a national disgrace as the arts will no longer be visible on our notes," said Dibble. "Science and economics are important but so too are the arts."
Historical figures previously used on Bank of England notes include physicist Isaac Newton and novelist Charles Dickens.
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