Edward Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, "Enigma" (version for piano)
Theme
Var. 1: C. A. E. (The Composer's Wife)
Var. 2: H. D. S-P. (Hew David Steuart-Powell)
Var. 3: R. B. T. (Richard Baxter Townshend)
Var. 4: W. M. B. (William Meath Baker)
Var. 5: R. P. A. (Richard Penrose Arnold)
Var. 6: Ysobel (Isabel Fitton)
Var. 7: Troyte (Troyte Griffith)
Var. 8: W. N. (Winifred Norbury)
Var. 9: Nimrod (A. J. Jaeger)
Var. 10: Intermezzo: Dorabella (Dora Penny)
Var. 11: G. R. S. (George Robertson Sinclair)
Var. 12: B. G. N. (Basil G. Nevinson)
Var. 13: Romanza: *** (Lady Mary Lygon)
Var. 14: Finale: E. D. U. (The Composer)
October 2006
****
“…the principal focus of this disc is the composer's solo piano arrangement of the Enigma Variations, and unlikely as it might seem the music sound surprisingly effective in this form. …Wass characterises all the variations sharply… and brings out all the available keyboard colour on which Elgar must have been relying.”
Awards 2006
“…"Nimrod" is beautifully paced, as is the final "EDU" variation depicting the composer himself… Most obviously pianistic are the fast, brilliant variations, which come across splendidly… the salon pieces… make a charming sequence, particularly as Wass in his flexible use of rubato always sounds idiomatic and persuasive.”
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