The Mystery Behind Elgar's Enigma

* What the meaning of Edward Elgar’s ‘Enigma’ is within his ‘Enigma Variations’ has fascinated musicologists and enthusiasts ever since the piece’s first performance in 1899. In this essay, I look at the background behind the Enigma and consider, in turn, three main musical solutions that each suggest a melody that could work in counterpoint with the original theme.

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ENIGMA THEORIES

FURTHER READING/RESEARCH

#Elgar #Nimrod

[ValidSimpleSam]

‘Behind this music is a fallible, anxious and vulnerable human being, ’ what a wonderful point to make. People forget that at one point each piece of classical music did not exist and it took real human expression to create them. Inside every piece there is a soul

[yumyumwhatzohai]

I guess the real enigma theme, were the friends we made along the way

[michaelpaulsmith]

I don't have it from the horse's mouth but I do have it from someone who knew the horse well! In 1973, when I started doing A level music, I was the only student at my school wanting to take this subject. So a very old lady was brought in to supply me with lessons. She was called Mrs. Bailey (alas, I never knew her first name) and she claimed to have been a very close friend of Elgar's daughter, Carice. They were so close, in fact, that Mrs. Bailey was the one whom Carice asked to be with her as her father lay dying.

We often talked about Elgar and, of course, I interrogated her about the origins of the 'enigma' in the variations. I remember her saying, "Michael, he was just playing games [as he loved to do]. The real theme is that of friendship. I can't say more than that because I don't know more than that but I know that Carice believed that to be the last word on it."

Thank you for this wonderful essay. I have subscribed and I look forward to hearing more of your erudite and cogent words on other matters musical. All my very best wishes to you.

[adampayton]

Your channel is massively underrated for the amount of quality work you put out. Truly inspired

[TheMusicalKnokcers]

8:29 at this point i am surprised illuminati haven't been mentioned yet.

[Wolstenstickenstein]

Nimrod variation is one of the most genius and beautiful pieces I've ever heard

[viggos.n.]

I am convinced Elgar should be put up there with the greatest composers.

He is truly a genius.

[robertmcmanus]

The more detailed Pagett's explanation got, the less I was convinced. Seemed like he was pulling at straw. Great vid!

[robertpadgett]

In his 1899 program note for the premiere of the Enigma Variations, Elgar bookends the phrase “Maeterlinck’s ‘L’Intruse’ and ‘Les sept Princesses’” with long dashes. When distilled down to just initials, that phrase harbors a reverse spelling of “PsaLM”. This is highly reminiscent of another acrostic anagram within the seven performance directions of the Enigma Theme's opening measure that also spells “psalm”. These coded references to “psalm” are significant because the title of the hidden melody (A Mighty Fortress) originates from the first line of Psalm 46. In a stunning convergence, the seven-word phrase "Maeterlinck’s ‘L’Intruse’ and ‘Les sept Princesses’" has exactly 46 characters excluding spaces. This presents another yet stunning parallel with the seven performance directions in the first bar of the Enigma Theme which also has 46 characters.

[roarinfireball]

Enigma is just such a perfect way to describe this piece. There is no word in the English language that can hold as much value and meaning into this symphony.

[JohannnesBrahms]

I was referred to this video by "Inside the Score" and was so glad to hear your masterful presentation of a tricky subject. Of course such puzzles have little meaning in relation to the music itself but do interest some as an intellectual pursuit. Knowing that the piece contains musical representations of Elgar's friends is quite enough. I am sure the individuals represented were tickled to hear their personalities represented musically but to someone who doesn't or didn't know them this reference has little meaning. Listen to the music devoid of any representational significance and enjoy the fantastic play and devotional heart of its creator. Elgar deliberately took his Enigma to the grave for a reason. The language of music is quite enough.

[claytonr.young-music]

It's certainly worth mentioning Pergolesi's Stabat Mater as a solution. The enigma theme fits it's bassline very well.

[robertpadgett]

Thank you so much for drawing attention to my original research into Elgar's Enigma Variations!

[loubarrett]

I’ve always had the idea of Nimrod being a perfect piece of music to play at the end of a funeral service as a
Recessional piece! It feels like the musical embodiment of a well lived life… how it starts so softly and simply much like a infant, then builds in complexity and fullness, building to a powerful grandure, only to once again end in a very frail and natural conclusion! It may be weird but that’s how I’ve always thought when I hear this piece of music! It’s very comforting!🙂

[niklashelm]

Brilliant video! As an aspiring composer, I have often asked myself whether I am somehow required to pay attention to the most minor details and provide a meaning behind every note in order to be a good composer. Your videos really are eye-opening, keep up the good work!

[brendonmurley]

It doesn’t matter how well or how little I know the music you’re talking about in each of your videos, I always find them fascinating, educational, and moving. I think your artistry in creating these works is superb. Thank you so much for what you do.

[isaiahbaggett]

The transition you made at 10:05. To the 9th Enigma variation was amazing!!!

[Bzcenci]

I love ENIGMA and I am deeply moved by NIMROD. Your explanation is extremely good (as others I have already seen), and I like very much your speech and your accent.

[HearMeowt_YT]

I first performed enigma variations in 1999, as part of a youth symphony (Tympani). Had never it before, the riddle intrigued me. The fact that it has been solved (IMO) with Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater in 2019, is amazing to me since there are 100 years of performers before me that didnt live long enough to hear it.

[isaax]

Another beautyfully, well put, edited and produced video.