Beschreibung
| Besetzung: | Blasorchester |
| Komponist: | Edward William Elgar |
| Arrangeur: | Earl A. Slocum |
| Grad:Schwierigkeitsgrad: | 5 (sehr schwer / Höchststufe) |
| Genre: | Sinfonie, Konzertwerk |
| Dauer: | 15:10 |
| Verlag: | TRN Music Publisher Inc. |
| Kategorie: | Konzertwerke |
The Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma) were first performed in St. James Hall in London 1899. It was well received and enjoyed immediate success. Each of the 13 variations represents a musical sketch of one of Elgar's friends, including his wife. He adds a self portrait as the finale. In the original score, the friends are disguised through initials or pseudonyms. The 'enigma' is in two parts, one played and the other implied. The played portion of the enigma is the initial theme itself. This represents Elgar, the constant factor in the whole work, viewing his friends through his, the theme's eyes. Elgar referred to the first theme as 'the dark saying' which suggests Elgar's view of himself. The second enigma is never played, but implied in the large structure of the music. This had led to much conjecture as to what the second enigma truly is. Elgar said that it was so well known he was surprised nobody has guessed. The guess work has included God Save the King, Auld Land Syne, Ta-ra-ra-boom-the-day, Dido's Lament and the slow movement of Mozart's Prague Symphony. Elgar took the true answer with him to his grave.
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