Edward Elgar - Enigma Variations
for Piano Solo

Edward Elgar's Variations for Orchestra, Op 36, were composed in late 1898 and early 1899, and have become known as the 'Enigma Variations'. Hans Richter conducted the first performance in June 1899, which propelled Elgar to fame. The work began as a piano improvisation at a time of frustration for the composer. Elgar was 42 and had achieved relatively modest success as a composer, but was still relying on teaching young students to earn a living. On October 21st 1898 after a tiring day teaching, he improvised a tune on the piano while his wife listened. He then reworked the tune into different characters, representing friends and their various humorous traits. Full of inspiration, he set about composing an orchestral work in this manner, featuring a wistful Theme followed by 14 variations that are based on friends of the composer.

Elgar composed the piece in his usual fashion, writing it on two staves as a piano score. This was quickly published and remained the only piano version. In the process of orchestrating the piece, Elgar made copious alterations, improvements and additions to the score. These were never incorporated into the piano version, so this new version combines much of Elgar's original with an updated and fully pianistic arrangement.

Available to purchase from Aria Editions here