Editing Enigma Variations (section)

== History ==
Elgar described how, on the evening of 21 October 1898, after a tiring day's teaching, he sat down at the piano. A melody he played caught the attention of his wife and he began to improvise [[variation (music)|variations]] on it, in styles which reflected the character of some of his friends. These improvisations, expanded and orchestrated, became the ''Enigma Variations''.{{sfn|Moore|1984|pp=247–252}} Elgar considered including variations portraying [[Arthur Sullivan]] and [[Hubert Parry]], but was unable to assimilate their musical styles without pastiche and dropped the idea.{{sfn|Moore|1984|p=252}}

The piece was finished on 18 February 1899 and published by [[Novello & Co.]] It was first performed at [[St James's Hall]] in London on 19 June 1899, conducted by [[Hans Richter (conductor)|Hans Richter]]. Critics were at first irritated by the layer of mystification, but most praised the substance, structure and orchestration of the work. Elgar later revised the final variation, adding 96 new bars and an organ part. The new version (which is usually played today) was first heard at the [[Worcester, England|Worcester]] [[Three Choirs Festival]] on 13 September 1899, with Elgar conducting.<ref name=edu>{{harvnb|Moore|1984|pp=273, 289}}</ref>

The European continental premiere was performed in [[Düsseldorf]], Germany on 7 February 1901, under [[Julius Buths]] (who would also conduct the German premiere of ''[[The Dream of Gerontius]]'' in December 1901).{{sfn|Moore|1984|p=350}} The work quickly achieved many international performances, from Saint Petersburg, where it delighted [[Alexander Glazunov]] and [[Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov]] in 1904, to New York, where [[Gustav Mahler]] conducted it in 1910.{{sfn|Kennedy|1987|p=179}}

This work was written for Elgar's friend, editor, and publisher, [[August Jaeger]].{{cn|date=March 2025}} Elgar struggled with depression and questioned his own worth and abilities. Through the years they worked together, Jaeger was there for Elgar through depressive episodes, and reaffirming the composer's abilities.