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The European continental premiere was performed in Düsseldorf, Germany on 7 February 1901, under Julius Buths (who would also conduct the European premiere of The Dream of Gerontius in December 1901). The new version, the one usually played today, was first heard at the Worcester Three Choirs Festival on 13 September 1899, with Elgar conducting. Elgar later revised the final variation, adding 96 new bars and an organ part. Critics were at first irritated by the layer of mystification, but most praised the substance, structure, and orchestration of the work. It was first performed at St James's Hall in London on 19 June 1899, conducted by Hans Richter. The piece was finished on 18 February 1899 and published by Novello & Co.
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Elgar considered including variations portraying Arthur Sullivan and Hubert Parry, but was unable to assimilate their musical styles without pastiche, and dropped the idea. These improvisations, expanded and orchestrated, became the Enigma Variations. A melody he played caught the attention of his wife, and he began to improvise variations on it in styles which reflected the character of some of his friends. 3.15 Variation XIV ( Finale: Allegro) "E.D.U."Įlgar described how on the evening of 21 October 1898, after a tiring day's teaching, he sat down at the piano.3.14 Variation XIII ( Romanza: Moderato) " * * * ".3.12 Variation XI ( Allegro di molto) "G.R.S.".
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3.2 Variation I ( L'istesso tempo) "C.A.E.".The Enigma is widely believed to involve a hidden melody.Īfter its 1899 London premiere the Variations achieved immediate popularity and established Elgar's international reputation. In naming his theme "Enigma", Elgar posed a challenge which has generated much speculation but has never been conclusively answered. 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. This work, commenced in a spirit of humour & continued in deep seriousness, contains sketches of the composer's friends. In a programme note for a performance in 1911 Elgar wrote: Those portrayed include Elgar's wife Alice, his friend and publisher Augustus J. It is an orchestral work comprising fourteen variations on an original theme.Įlgar dedicated the work "to my friends pictured within", each variation being a musical sketch of one of his circle of close acquaintances (see musical cryptogram). 36, popularly known as the Enigma Variations, between October 1898 and February 1899. Edward Elgar composed his Variations on an Original Theme, Op.