The Enigma of Edward Elgar

BOOKING FOR THIS EVENT WILL OPEN IN MID-AUGUST 2025.

Elgar's path to recognition was hard and bitter. He had to contend with the prejudices of the British musical establishment (he was self-taught), religious bigotry (he was a Roman Catholic) and with the entrenched class-consciousness of late-Victorian provincial society (he was the son of a shop owner).

However, with his wife Alice as his staunchest supporter, from a hesitant start with pieces written for his local music societies, to the cantatas King Olaf and Caractacus celebrating Britain’s history, Elgar finally achieved national and international success with his Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma) of 1899. This work demonstrates remarkable technical mastery of form and orchestration and above all an individual and forceful personality.

He went on to create two of the greatest of 20th century symphonies, the magnificent oratorio The Dream of Gerontius and two concertos, for violin and cello, among the finest ever written. And of course, he expresses a vigorous patriotism in his Pomp and Circumstance Marches.

Today's second session will be devoted to an examination of the 'Enigma’ Variations - the ‘friends pictured within’ - and a consideration of what the ‘Enigma’ might be – Elgar was very cagey about it and there have been many theories. Our Speaker, Roger Askew, aims to make this interactive, with audience involvement. Whether or not there is a true enigma, this is one of the great works of English orchestral music, an affectionate portrait of some of Elgar's friends. The lecture is fully illustrated with musical examples which will reveal Elgar's extraordinary musical imagination and his mastery of the orchestra.

We end the Discovery Day, in the third lecture after lunch, with an exploration of Elgar's great oratorio The Dream of Gerontius, enjoying some of the many recorded interpretations.