Enigma variations series#

Rather, the music depicts Sinclair’s bulldog, Dan, falling into the river, vigorously swimming to shore and finally landing with a “rejoicing bark.” According to Elgar, this section is a portrait not of Sinclair.

(G.R.S.) Allegro di molto-George Robertson Sinclair was the organist at Hereford Cathedral.

Both Dora Penny’s love of dance and her slight stammer are depicted in this fetching Intermezzo. Allegretto-Dora Penny was W.M.B.’s step-niece whom Elgar nicknamed “Dorabella,” after a character in Mozart’s opera, Così fan tutte. This glorious Adagio is the composer’s fond recollection of “a long summer evening talk, when my friend grew nobly eloquent (as only he could) on the grandeur of Beethoven, and especially his slow movements.”

(Nimrod) Adagio-“Nimrod” is Elgar’s depiction of his friend, August Jaeger (“jaeger” in German means “hunter,” thus the reference to Nimrod, the biblical hunter).

Elgar claimed that this genial variation was a portrait of Winifred’s country home, but the playful wind interjections offer “a little suggestion of a characteristic laugh.” (W.N.) Allegretto-Winifred Norbury served with Elgar as joint secretary of the Worcestershire Philharmonic Society. It seems that this stormy variation, with its thundering timpani, represents only one aspect of his character. (Troyte) Presto-Arthur Troyte Griffith was an architect and amateur painter.

That instrument is prominently featured in this variation. (Ysobel) Andantino-Isabel Fitton studied viola with Elgar.Elgar delighted in the fact that Arnold’s “serious conversation was continually broken up by whimsical and witty remarks.” (R.P.A.) Moderato-Richard Penrose Arnold was the son of poet Matthew Arnold.(W.M.B.) Allegro di molto-The shortest of the Variations depicts William Meath Baker, lord of Hatsfield Court and R.B.T.’s brother-in-law, informing his guests of arrangements he made for their transportation and then quickly leaving the room, “with a bang on the door.”.(R.B.T.) Allegretto-Richard Baxter Townshend was an author and amateur actor who regaled audiences with his ability to instantly shift his vocal range from the deepest basso profondo to the highest soprano. Steuart-Powell was an amateur pianist who, according to Elgar, would begin each session with “a characteristic diatonic run over the keys.” The oboes and bassoons play a four-note motif Elgar always whistled upon returning home. (C.A.E.) L’istesso tempo-The composer’s loving tribute to his wife, Caroline Alice Elgar.It may be understood that these personages comment or reflect upon the original theme and each one attempts a solution of the Enigma, for so the theme is called.”Īndante-In the seventeen-bar introduction, the strings, followed by the winds, present the various elements of the haunting principal theme. As Elgar commented: “This work, commenced in a spirit of humour and continued in deep seriousness, contains sketches of the composer’s friends.

Enigma variations series#

In the “Enigma” Variations, Edward Elgar introduces a theme that serves as the basis for a series of variations, each a musical depiction of a person in the composer’s life. Piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, bass drum, cymbal, snare drum, triangle, organ (optional), and strings. Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Variations on an Original Theme, Opus 36, “Enigma”