Experience Elgar's Iconic Enigma Variations
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra and its fearless music director Rossen Milanov invite listeners to lose themselves in the sweeping splendour of one of the greatest British pieces in classical music, Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations. The ensemble also welcomes award-winning Chinese concert pianist Fei-Fei, whose passion and technical brilliance illuminate the rest of the evening's program, which includes Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 and Mendelssohn's Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage concert overture.
Started October 1989, the Enigma Variations were born when Elgar returned home after a long day teaching and sat down at his piano to doodle after dinner with his wife. Whilst his mind drifted away, his wife excitedly brought his attention back to a passage she liked, and if it wasn't for that interruption, the legendary orchestral piece would not exist. Showing how music can capture and convey a personality, memory or moment in time, the variations are portraits of his friends and family that vividly bring to life their defining quirks and traits.