Ep. 8: Living Portraits – Elgar and Enigma Variations

Edward Elgar’s Variation on an Original Theme (a.k.a. Enigma Variations) is one of the most mysterious and puzzling pieces of music of all time. Using a theme he referred to as “the Enigma”, he depicts thirteen of his closest friends as if they were taking a stab at cracking the code. One in particular was given the chance to truly solve the case, but she never figured it out.

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My Friends Pictured Within by Edward Elgar: https://ks.imslp.net/files/imglnks/usimg/0/06/IMSLP339677-SIBLEY1802.27173.6d2a-39087004945996text.pdf

The Dorabella Cipher: https://ciphermysteries.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2009/02/dorabella-cipher-image.gif

Music for this episode:
Modern Enigma by Spectacles Wallet and Watch
Chanson De Matin, Op. 15, No. 2 by Edward Elgar
Berceuse, Op. 16 by Gabriel Faure Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85, Mvt. 1: Adagio by Edward Elgar
Variations on an Original Theme (“Enigma”), Op. 36, Mvt. IX “Nimrod” by Edward Elgar
Largo from Xerxes by George Friedric Handel
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4 by Edward Elgar
Una Noche De Luces by Trevor Kowalski

Sources for this episode:
My Friends Pictured Within by Edward Elgar (see link above)
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 by Edward Elgar (Score)
The Musician’s Guide to Symphonic Music: Essays from the Eulenberg Scores, edited by Corey Field: https://www.amazon.com/Musicians-Guide-Symphonic-Music-Eulenburg/dp/0930448561/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=The+Musicians+Guide+to+Symphonic+Music&qid=1595963266&sr=8-2