Edward Elgar’s “Variations on an Original Theme” (‘Enigma’) op. 36 is one of England’s most beloved musical works. It’s commonly known as the “Enigma Variations”.
It begins with a haunting theme and continues with 14 variations on that theme. When Elgar debuted the work in 1899, the word “Enigma” was written at the top of the score.
“The Enigma I will not explain,” Elgar wrote in a cryptic note in the concert playbill. “Its ‘dark saying’ must be left unguessed.” Then he added this: “… over the whole set another and larger theme ‘goes,’ but is not played…”
What is that dark saying, that enigmatic theme, that is present in the work but not played?
Elgar never said, and he took his secret to the grave. But it has been understood to be a famous tune that, if played along with the Enigma Variations, it would fit perfectly.
Here is the music that says it all:
