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Episode 4

Episode 4 of 4

Having depicted 13 of his friends in the Variations, Elgar used the final movement for his own self-portrait. What is the mystery of the titular variations? Presented by Ruth Padel.

Ruth Padel presents a series exploring the music of Elgar's Enigma Variations and analysing what the composition tells us about Elgar himself.

Having depicted 13 of his friends in the Variations, Elgar used the final movement for his own self-portrait. What does the music tell us about him, and how did the problems he faced while writing it prepare him for composing his first symphony?

15 minutes

Last on

Sun 16 Mar 201413:15
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Broadcasts

  • Tue 15 May 200709:30
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 9 Nov 200814:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 16 Mar 201407:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 16 Mar 201413:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra