A tribute to three British composers
The Gippsland Symphony Orchestra will present “British Engima”, a tribute to three of the “greatest British composers ever” in concert this Sunday November 6.
The concert will feature the “Enigma Variations” by Edward Elgar, the “English Folk Song Suite” by Ralph Vaughn Williams and “A Somerset Rhapsody” by Gustav Holst.
GSO musical director David Williams said the program has the most “incredible music”, especially Elgar’s “Enigma Variations” which to his knowledge, has not yet been played in Gippsland.
The “Enigma Variations” has an original theme and 14 variations, each representing a different person in Elgar’s life.
Elgar wrote the variations between 1898 and 1899 after stumbling upon the theme while playing the piano one night.
“The opening starts with the theme that he developed and then the first variation is based on his wife, so it has this very lush, beautiful, sort-of romantic vibe about it,” Williams explained.
“The “Dorabella” variation is supposedly the daughter of a friend of his who had a stutter.”
“There are 14 different characters, 14 different colours, and 14 different sounds that you have from the orchestra,” he said.
The thirteenth variation, Williams’ explained, does not have a name. Instead, it is simply titled with three dots. This piece is not dedicated to any person in Elgar’s life in particular, and is instead, up to the interpretation of the listener.
“Elgar never gave out what the engima is,” Williams said.
“That is the beauty of it, it means something (different) to everyone.”
Williams’ said the GSO did have the concert prepared last year but was unable to perform due to COVID-19 lockdowns. Now, the group of musicians are excited to bring the concert to Gippsland.
The “English Folk Song Suite” is another work being played in the concert, and one Williams said most musicians are familiar with.
“It was actually written for a military band which is actually a wind band - and it was then re-orchestrated in 1924 for a symphony orchestra to play,” he said.
“British Enigma” runs for about 1 hour and 30 minutes (no intermission) and starts at 2pm at the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Sunday November 6.
Tickets are $25 full price, $20 for concession and $15 for those under 18.
Tickets are available at http://www.wgac.com.au/
“British Engima” is set to be performed twice after appearing at the WGAC, at The Gippsland Performing Arts Centre on November 13, and at The Wedge on November 20.