VARIATIONS ON AN ORIGINAL THEME ("ENIGMA"): Op. 36

These Variations have an inner history, or, rather, fourteen inner histories; but precisely what they are is a secret which is locked within the breast of Sir Edward Elgar and certain of his friends. The Variations are fourteen in number, and their purpose has been publicly avowed by the composer. In them, he says: "I have sketched ... the idiosyncrasies of fourteen of my friends; ... but this is a personal matter, and need not have been mentioned." The score bears the sub-title "Enigma," and is dedicated "to my friends pictured within." Hints as to their identity are contained in these initials and sobriquets printed at the head of the different variations:

  1. "C. A. E." L'istesso tempo, G minor, ending in major, 4-4.
  2. "H. D. S.-P." Allegro, G minor, 3-8.
  3. "R. B. T." Allegretto, G major, 3-8.
  4. "W. M. B." Allegro di molto, G minor, with end in G major, 3-4.
  5. "R. P. A." Moderato, C minor, 12-8 and 4-4.
  6. "Ysobel." Andantino, C major, 3-2.
  7. "Troyte." Presto, C major, 3-2.
  8. "W. N." Allegretto, G major, 6-8.
  9. "Nimrod." Moderato, E-flat major, 3-4.
  10. "Dorabella." Intermezzo, Allegretto, G major, 3-4.
  11. "G. R. S." Allegro di molto, G minor, 2-2.
  12. "B. G. N." Andante, G minor, 4-4.
  13. "* * *." Romanza, Moderato, G major, 3-4.
  14. "E. D. U." Finale, Allegro, G major, 2-2.

As to the "Enigma," Sir Edward has thus declared himself: "The Enigma I will not explain—its 'dark saying' must be left unguessed, and I warn you that the apparent connection between the Variations and the theme is often of the slightest texture; further, through and over the whole set another and larger theme 'goes,' but is not played; ... so the principal theme never appears, even as, in some late dramas—e. g., Maeterlinck's L'Intruse and Les Sept Princesses—the principal character is never on the stage."

The score bears the date-line: "Malvern, 1899."