"Enigma Variations, op. 36" genre: Classical General
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	Edward Elgar Recorded Feburary 16, 2003
	Credits: Russell Vinick, Conductor
	Story Behind the Song What is the enigma? Is there a mystery hidden in the music? Elgar himself referred to the opening theme as enigmatic, calling it "a dark saying (representing) the loneliness of the creative artist." But he gave no further explanation and proceeded to set up another enigma in the form of "another and larger theme (which moves) through and over the whole set...but us not played." In writing notes for the first performance, Elgar dedicated the piece "to my friends pictured within...In this music I have sketched, for their amusement and mine, the isiosyncrasies of fourteen of my friends, not necessarily musicians; but this is a personal matter and needs not have been mentioned publicly...The Enigma I will not explain--its 'dark saying' must be left unguessed." --David Schwan

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