Stephen Johnson explores Elgar's Enigma Variations, a series of 13 musical sketches of the composer's friends which concludes with a representation of the composer himself. Show more Stephen Johnson ...

It is the musical puzzle that has seen Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, the works of Shakespeare and even the mathematical formula for Pi suggested as possible answers. But now a respected art critic has ...

Ever since the work’s premiere in 1899, academics have struggled to uncover the original identity of the theme that appears in all 14 variations. The clues left by Elgar have led to various solutions ...

Elgar's Enigma Variations is a sublime piece of musical portraiture, developing the enigmatic melody that gives the work its title into 13 sketches of the composer's friends, signed off with a robust ...

At first glance, the present coupling seems a somewhat bizarre notion, yet there are some interesting parallels between the two works. Both are sets of variations, Hindemith’s orchestral concerto ...

Conductor Andrew Davis explores the stories behind one of the most famous pieces of English music - Elgar's Enigma Variations - and through it, a hidden portrait of Elgar himself. Show more Conductor ...

Elgar’s Enigma Variations are a favourite on concert platforms the world over. Its enigma, however, remains unsolved: what is the tune at the heart of these variations? It was based on a well-known ...

One theme – endlessly talked about – and fourteen variations on it. Each variation was the result of a parlour game between Elgar and his wife, Alice. He’d played the theme to her, which he described ...

Edward Elgar's "Enigma Variations" still keeps listeners guessing. What's so "enigmatic?" Elgar said that his original theme for his set of variations hints at another theme, a popular tune perhaps, ...

It’s a harmonic convergence of distinguished women in music. DSO favorite Anne-Marie McDermott joins with Estonian conductor Anu Tali for Amy Beach’s Piano Concerto and Alisson Kruusmaa’s ethereal ...