Edward Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 | Jacqueline du Pre - Daniel Barenboim

Elgar: Symphony No. 2 | Harding

Edward Elgar,

Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 63

1 Allegro vivace e nobilmente

2 Larghetto

3 Rondo

4 Moderato e maestoso

London Symphony Orchestra

Daniel Harding, conductor

London, Proms 2013

Elgar: Serenade for Strings, Op. 20

Elgar: Enigma Variations

Edward Elgar composed his Variations on an Original Theme for Orchestra ("Enigma"), Op. 36, commonly referred to as the Enigma Variations, in 1898–99. It is a set of fourteen variations on a hidden "theme" that is, in Elgar's words, "not played". It is Elgar's best-known large-scale composition, for both the music itself and the enigma behind it.

Elgar dedicated the piece to "my friends pictured within", each variation being an affectionate portrayal of one of his circle of close acquaintances. The people portrayed in the variations include Elgar's wife Alice, Augustus J. Jaeger and Elgar himself. The enigma is the hidden theme, which has been the subject of much speculation. Various musicians have proposed theories for what melody it could be, although Elgar did not say that that his "theme" was a melody. The enigma could be something else, such as a symbol or a literary theme. Elgar accepted none of the solutions proposed in his lifetime, and took the secret with him to the grave.

After its 1899 London premiere, the piece achieved popularity and was performed internationally. It has been recorded over 60 times.

Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Enigma Variations, Op. 36
Silicon Valley Symphony
Michael Paul Gibson

Elgar - Symphony No. 1 (Proms 2012)

Edward Elgar - Symphony No. 1 in A flat major

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Martyn Brabbins conductor

Royal Albert Hall, 29 August 2012