Virtuosity and Variations (Elgar and Enigma)

Enigmatic orchestral variations, virtuosic piano fireworks and contemporary sonic poetry meet in a concert where the music tells stories without words - from the intimate to the symphonically grand. The British Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations are among the most beloved works of English music. The 14 variations are musical portraits of people from Elgar's own circle, whose identities are hidden behind titles, nicknames and enigmatic abbreviations. Elgar combines warmth, humour and refined portraiture in a work that alternates between intimacy and radiant sonority. Among them the famous variation Nimrod, one of music history's most beloved slow movements. In Variations on a Theme of Paganini, Rachmaninov lets virtuosity and compositional finesse go hand in hand. Paganini's simple theme is transformed through dark Romanticism, sparkling piano runs and lyrical moments. The soloist is the Czech piano virtuoso Lukas Vondrácek, known for his intense Rachmaninov interpretations. The Icelandic Bára Gísladóttir's Sea Sons Seasons (2025) for orchestra and electronics revolves around the organic movements of the sea and its eternal change. The music arises, vanishes and returns in undulating sonic cycles. The evening is conducted by Anna Rakitina, an internationally sought-after conductor and a distinctive talent of her generation, formerly assistant to none other than Andris Nelsons at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Programme: Gísladóttir / sea sons seasons Rachmaninov / Variations on a Theme of Paganini Elgar / Enigma Variations Organiser: Copenhagen Phil Duration: Approx. two hours incl. interval Free concert introduction Doors close promptly Drinks, outerwear and larger bags may not be brought into the hall Cloakroom fee included in the price

• Dirigent: Anna Rakitina / Solist: Lukas Vondrácekklaver

RECORDINGS OF THE WORKS

Edward Elgar: Enigma-variasjonene, op. 36

Whole work

Open on YouTube (2025)All 2 parts on KulturbaseMore recordings on Kulturbase

Sergej Rakhmaninov: Rhapsodi over tema av Paganini, op. 43

Watch in the DR archive (2010)More recordings on Kulturbase

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