The basis of the theme features intervals of falling thirds, fourths and sevenths. The original Enigma theme is slow, wistful and led by fluctuating violins as they play the theme. The cleverness in its structure celebrates Elgar’s autobiographical links, as well as creating astonishing melodic content that oozes originality. It’s sparkle comes from Elgar’s impressive orchestral colours, textures and harmonic language. The Musical Times reported in 1900 that “Mr Elgar tells us that the heading ‘Enigma’ is justified by the fact that it is possible to add another phrase, which is quite familiar, above the original theme that he has written.” The true meaning of the title will never be known, as Elgar never revealed the secrets behind the Enigma.Īlthough fascinating, the work is a strong stand-alone work without all autobiographical and mysterious enigma stories. ![]() The title ‘Enigma’ was added to score only a month before the premiere, with Elgar commenting that the theme represented “the loneliness of the creative artist.” The mysterious reasons behind the title has become an enigma in itself, as it is still discussed today. This is the basis of the composition, but the work may be listened to as a ‘piece of music’ apart from any extraneous consideration.” The sketches are not ‘portraits’, but each variation contains a distinct idea founded on some particular personality or perhaps on some incident known only to two people. It may be understood that these personages comment or reflect on the original theme & each one attempts a solution of the Enigma, for so the theme is called. ![]() I’ve written each one to represent the mood of the party.” The first official programme notes read as follows: “This work, commenced in a spirit of humour & continued in deep seriousness, contains sketches of the composer’s friends. “The Variations have amused me because I’ve labelled them ‘em with the nicknames of my particular friends. Elgar commented to his friends about this new collection of works: Nevison would have looked like this.” He asked Alice “Who does this remind you of?” to which she replied “why, that’s Billy Baker going out of the room!”.Įlgar started thinking more about this idea and thus decided to create a set of variations on an original theme. Elgar began varying the theme and said “Powell would have one this. ![]() His wife Alice was listening and commented on how good the theme was sounding. The theme came about in 1898 whilst Elgar was at the piano improvising. It was composed between October 1898 and February 1899 and is comprised of fourteen variations on the original Enigma theme. Edward Elgar’s Variations on an Original Theme (‘Enigma’) – more popularly known as Enigma Variations – won him international recognition after many years of not being that well known to most.
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