Elgar, Hybrid Suite from Enigma Variations

Elgar, Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma), Op. 36
Theme and Variations IV, VIII and IX

UC Davis Sinfonietta (in person, socially distanced), joined by current members and alumni of the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra (playing remotely, from home)
Christian Baldini, Music Director & Conductor

Dancers:
Sherene Melania & Natalia Garcia Moreno (Presidio Dance Theatre)
Maya Khayat (UC Davis)

Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts (University of California, Davis)
May 2021

Recording Engineer: Stephen Bingen
Cinematography: Phillip Alan Films

This is a hybrid performance of select numbers from Elgar's famous Enigma Variations. Some musicians are playing at the venue in person, socially distancing and wearing masks. The rest of the musicians are completing the personnel for this beautiful work playing safely from home, from different parts of the world.

Edward Elgar (1857-1934) - Enigma Variations (Theme and variations IV, VIII, and IX)

The theme (Enigma: Andante) begins in G minor, setting the stage with a sense of longing and deep introspection. The dynamics rise and the strings swell as the piece shifts to G major, creating a much lighter mood before eventually easing back into the initial G minor. The final note of the theme softly returns to the major, and without coming to a complete stop, the piece progresses to the next variation.
Variation IV (Allegro di molto) is titled “W.M.B.”, which are the initials of William Meath Baker, a squire from Gloucestershire, England. Baker was said to express himself rather energetically, often making hasty exits, and this quality is captured in the variation’s quick, boisterous nature and bouncy woodwind section. This is the shortest variation of the entire piece, just over 30 seconds long.
Variation VIII (Allegretto), titled “W.N.”, was inspired by Winifried Norbury, a secretary of the Worcester Philharmonic Society. However, this variation is less a portrayal of Norbury herself than it is the beautiful eighteenth century house she lived in. There is a sense of delicacy and graciousness that the instruments embody in this variation, and at the end, when the final G major chord begins to fade, the violins linger on the single G note, elegantly transitioning the piece into the next section.
Variation IX (Adagio), titled “Nimrod”, is the most famous of the variations, and there is quite a story behind it; the dedicatee of this variation was August Jaeger, a musician and close friend of Elgar who, more than anyone apart from Elgar’s wife Alice, stood by him and showed him support throughout his struggles. The surname “Jaeger” comes from the German word for “hunter”, and in the Old Testament, Nimrod is described as “a mighty hunter before the lord”, hence this variation being titled “Nimrod”. Elgar expressed that this variation is “the record of a long summer evening talk”, in which Elgar and Jaeger spoke about Ludwig van Beethoven. During this conversation, Jaeger noted how Beethoven, despite slowly losing his hearing and undergoing various troubles in his life, continued to produce beautiful music, and Jaeger urged Elgar to keep composing through it all, just as Beethoven did. It is this raw, emotional connection that fuels “Nimrod”, as the instruments keep building up to a powerful climax, before softening to a serene, peaceful E-flat Major chord. This variation is often performed separate from the rest of the work, and is notably played at funerals and memorials. The fact that this particular variation has become the most well known is a testament to how impactful friendship and support can be for an individual. In 1909, Jaeger passed away due to tuberculosis, and nearly 20 years later, Elgar said this about his late friend: “his place has been occupied, but never filled” .
The Enigma Variations are shrouded in mystery; this popularly known title was given to the piece because the word “enigma” was written above the theme on the original score. When asked what this word signified, Elgar famously replied “The enigma I will not explain—its ‘dark saying’ must be left unguessed”. In addition to this mystery, Elgar also claimed that another larger theme was present across the entire work, but in his lifetime Elgar never revealed what this theme truly was. Even to this day, historians and musicologists strive to find an answer to Elgar’s eerie secret, although a concrete solution has yet to be found. It is this sense of mystery, in conjunction with its virtuosity and complexity, that makes the Enigma Variations a landmark of musical composition.
This performance by the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra was lead by conductor and composer Christian Baldini, and features both UC Davis students and alumni. Our greatest thanks to everyone involved in this performance, whose hard work made it possible to keep the symphony orchestra going amidst these difficult times.
---Program Notes by Troy Eaton

Видео Elgar, Hybrid Suite from Enigma Variations канала Christian Baldini - conductor & composer