Elgar - Enigma Variations, Op. 36 (9/-)

Edgar William Elgar (1857 - 1934)

Mov. XIV from "Enigma Variations", Op. 36

Variations on an Original Theme for orchestra, Op. 36 ("Enigma"), commonly referred to as the "Enigma Variations", is a set of a theme and its fourteen variations written for orchestra by Edward Elgar in 1898--99. It is Elgar's best-known large-scale composition, for both the music itself and the enigmas 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.

Movement XIV: "* * *" (Romanza: Moderato)
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Lady Mary Lygon. This person is not identified by initials, but Mrs. Dora Powell (herself a variation, "Dorabella") has identified her as Lady Mary Lygon,[5] sister of Lord Beauchamp of Madresfield Court near Malvern. Lady Mary Lygon was a personal friend of Elgar and his wife, promoter of the Madresfield Music Festivals and interested in Elgar's music. In 1899, when the Variations were being finished, Elgar wrote to Lady Mary Lygon to ask permission to use her initials, but as she and her brother were on the point of leaving for Australia (he had been appointed Governor of New South Wales) and there was not time for a reply Elgar used "***" instead.

Sketches for this variation refer it it as 'L' and sketches for the Finale show that Elgar thought of re-introducing 'L. M. L.'[7] She became Lady Mary Trefusis when she married Lt.-Col. Henry Hepburn-Stuart-Forbes-Trefusis in 1905.

Appropriately, Elgar included in the variation a quotation from Felix Mendelssohn's concert overture Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage (Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt). This is played by a solo clarinet, and is included within quotation marks in the score. At intervals the timpani create a sound reminiscent of a ship's engines by means of hard sticks, or, traditionally, coins.

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