Elgar’s Enigma Variations at the Usher Hall Edinburgh Sunday, October 12: Tickets on sale now
-(2).png){kind=logo}
Book your tickets today to hear Edinburgh’s first resident philharmonic orchestra for almost 90 years brings its first annual season to a conclusion with one of the most perplexing pieces of music created, Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations.
The afternoon concert in the city’s spectacular Usher Hall precedes the Elgar with shorter riddles including Arthur Bliss’s playful work, A Knot of Riddles with Scottish baritone Arthur Bruce joining the orchestra, and Alexandre Desplat’s evocative Suite from The Imitation Game, the haunting musical tribute to the genius of Alan Turing heard in the 2014 feature film.
Bringing more beautiful film music to the concert hall, from the same year, The Theory of Everything brought us the story of another famous scientist, Stephen Hawking with a Golden Globe winning film score by Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson, heard here in a Suite.
Capella Edina’s composer in residence, James Clay has his third work for the orchestra premiered, Afterland, a work for string orchestra, organ and timpani. It is dedicated to Alan Turing and uses God Save the King, the first music recording ever produced by a computer used by Alan Turing.
With ticket prices for Enigma Variations on October 12 starting at just £10 concessions, this is an affordable yet impressive outing for one of the best loved pieces of music.
The show’s director of music is Luis Schmidt, with Arthur Bruce, Baritone and features the Capella Edina Orchestra.
Orchestra member Q&A
Wonderful musicians are the heart of Capella Edina. Ben, one of its fabulous violin players, said: “I can’t wait for the audience to hear when the winds and brass enter in 'Nimrod' (Adagio) during the Enigma Variations. Hopefully there will be something to help nourish the soul.”
Speaking about the joy of being a member of Capella Edina, he said he loved “bringing together a really talented and really nice group of colleagues, and seeing what amazing music emerges”.
Arthur Bruce, (Baritone Soloist), added: “As a Scottish artist, and having grown up in Leith myself, it's always a pleasure and privilege to have an opportunity to perform at the wonderful Usher Hall.”
Where, when, how to get tickets
The show is on at the Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh, on Sunday, October 12, at 3pm. Reserve your tickets here.
Full programme
James Clay: Afterland (Capella Edina Commission) (3′)
Jóhann Jóhannsson: Suite from “The Theory of Everything” (10′) Arthur Bliss: A Knot of Riddles (17′)
– Interval –
Alexandre Desplat: Suite from “The Imitation Game” (5′) Edward Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme, op. 36 (“Enigma”) (38′)
Tickets are in high demand, so don’t miss out on your chance to hear a piece of musical history being made here in Edinburgh.