Description

Book Synopsis
Elgar's Variations for Orchestra, commonly known as the 'Enigma' Variations, marked an epoch both in his career, and in the renaissance of English music at the turn of the century. First performed in 1899 under Hans Richter, the work became his passport to national fame and international success. From the first it intrigued listeners to know why it was called 'enigma', and who were the 'friends pictured within', to whom the work is dedicated. Appearing in the centenary year of the work's composition, this book elucidates what is known, and what has been said about the work and the enigma, and directs future listeners to what matters most: the inspired qualities of the music.

Trade Review
'Rushton has both professorial persistence and critical acumen.' The Elgar Society Journal
' … wholly admirable.' The Musical Times

Table of Contents
1. Introduction; 2. Composition; 3. Variations: the theme; 4. Friends pictured within; 5. A form of self-portraiture; 6. The enigmas; 7. Postscript.

Elgar Enigma Variations Cambridge Music Handbooks

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    A Hardback by Julian Rushton

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      View other formats and editions of Elgar Enigma Variations Cambridge Music Handbooks by Julian Rushton

      Publisher: Cambridge University Press
      Publication Date: 2/28/1999 12:00:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9780521631754, 978-0521631754
      ISBN10: 0521631750
      Also in:
      Composers and songwriters

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Elgar's Variations for Orchestra, commonly known as the 'Enigma' Variations, marked an epoch both in his career, and in the renaissance of English music at the turn of the century. First performed in 1899 under Hans Richter, the work became his passport to national fame and international success. From the first it intrigued listeners to know why it was called 'enigma', and who were the 'friends pictured within', to whom the work is dedicated. Appearing in the centenary year of the work's composition, this book elucidates what is known, and what has been said about the work and the enigma, and directs future listeners to what matters most: the inspired qualities of the music.

      Trade Review
      'Rushton has both professorial persistence and critical acumen.' The Elgar Society Journal
      ' … wholly admirable.' The Musical Times

      Table of Contents
      1. Introduction; 2. Composition; 3. Variations: the theme; 4. Friends pictured within; 5. A form of self-portraiture; 6. The enigmas; 7. Postscript.

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