Tejashri Panchal

April 15, 2020

Concert Report 2
For this concert report, I chose Elgar’s Enigma Variations by London Symphony
Orchestra. It was held in Barbican Centre, London on September 14, 2017. It is conducted by Sir
Simon Rattle, he previously led City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and he is director of
London Symphony Orchestra. The performance by orchestra was energetic. The orchestra band
consist of five violin players, four viola players, three cello players, one flute player, one piccolo
player, one trombone player, two clarinet players, two bassoon players and an oboe player.
This had 6 variations played back to back. The conductor Sir Simon seemed so
enthusiastic. The music played by the orchestra was really relaxing and one of the best pieces I
have ever heard. On first violin it is Roman Simovic, Carmine Lauri and Lennox Mackenzie, on
2nd violin, it is David Alberman and Sarah Quinn. Cellos played by Rebecca Gilliver, Alastair
Blayden and Miwa Rosso. Flute played by Adam Walker. Piccolo played by Sharon Williams.
Clarinet played by Andrew Marriner and Chi-Yu Mo. Bassoon was played by Daniel Jemison
And Rachel Gough. On the trumpet, it was Philp Cobb and Trombone played by Dudley Bright.
Nigel Thomas was on Timpani, Percussion was by Sam Walton. Oboe played by Oliver
Stankiewicz. Bass trombone played by Paul Miner. All the instruments were played so
soothingly. This music leaves a very different feeling within a person because of the way the
music plays to the ears and the mind of the individual.
All the variations have unique melody of their own. All the variations were so smooth.
Variation III was by Richard Baxter Townshend. Variation V and VI were by Richard Penrose
Arnold and Isabel Fitton. Variation VII was by Troyte. Variation VIII was by Winfred Norbury.
Variation XIII is unknown. LSO Animateur Rachel Leach describes how Sir
Edward Elgar translated his good friend Richard Baxter Townshend's unique voice and bicycle
bell into Variation III R.B.T. (Allegretto). Rachel Leach, describing Elgar's friend Richard
Penrose Arnold and Isabel Fitton, Elgar's pupil and string player in variation V and VI.
Variation VII Troyte (Presto) is about architect and friend of Elgar's, Arthur Troyte Griffith.
This variation sees a return of the Enigma rhythm and explains Troyte's remarkable piano
playing style. Variation VIII W.N. (Allegretto) is a sophisticated and charming variation
explaining about Winifred Norbury and her giggling in the local orchestra, or her house.
Variation XIII is about a person taking a long journey is described in this spooky interlude before
the finale of Elgar's variations. All the strings, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments were
sounding really nice.
The whole orchestra and conductor both did really good job. I would love to see this
whole symphony in person. It was more pleasurable than I thought. This made me take more
interest in symphonies like this. I would like to see other variations of this symphony.