The Hallé Orchestra

One evening Elgar sat down at his piano to improvise. ‘That’s a good tune’ said his wife Alice, ‘what is it?’ ‘Nothing yet’, replied Elgar, ‘but something might be made of it’. Elgar then continued improvising, imagining what his various friends would do with the tune. The affectionate and vivid series of musical sketches that resulted, the ‘Enigma’ Variations, was to change their lives.

Devised by former Hallé artistic advisor Gerard McBurney, ‘Beyond the Score’ is an accessible and entertaining way of learning more about Elgar’s masterpiece. Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé will be on stage throughout providing musical examples, complemented by actors playing Elgar’s friends and loved-ones and film on the Hallé big screen. After the interval, Sir Mark and the orchestra give a complete performance of the work.

The evening will give a fascinating insight into Elgar: the man himself, his wife and friends, his social milieu and of course, his great music.

Beyond the Score® is produced by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Gerard McBurney, Creative Director, Beyond the Score®
Martha Gilmer, Executive Producer, Beyond the Score®