From 2010, but I'm afraid I didn't record the author so my apologies to him/her:
'There are many reasons to believe that Elgar's enigma has been revealed (as confirmed by his 1929 notes.) Here are a few:
1. Elgar's Enigma Variation (EV) were about his "circle" of friends. A constant in all circles is Pi.
2. Pi is usually approximated as 3.142 as a decimal or 22/7 as a fraction.
3. The first four notes of EV are scale degree 3-1-4-2, decimal Pi.
4. In 1929, Elgar wrote that the drop of the seventh in bars 3 and 4 should be observed.
5. These 2/7 follow exactly after the first 11 notes. ie: 11 x 2/7 = 22/7, fractional Pi.
6. Elgar wrote EV in the year following the ridiculous Indiana Pi Bill of 1897 which attempted to legislate the value of Pi.
7. Elgar wrote that there was a "dark saying that shall remain unguessed." Could that be, "Four and twenty blackbirds (dark) baked in a Pie (Pi)?
8. There are exactly four and twenty black notes (with wings- slurs, or ties) in the first six measures of EV which contain Pi.
9. Elgar wrote that the EV were begun in a spirit of humour.
10. Elgar often said that the enigma was well known. Pi is taught to nearly everyone as part of a basic education.
11. In 1929 Elgar was 72, in ill-health and many of his friends had died. He probably wanted to leave some confirmation of the enigma's solution since he might not be there to do so. He wrote 3 sentences which contain 3 hints at fractional Pi.
12. In the first sentence he wrote of two quavers and two crotchets- at hint at "22" (of 22/7).
13. In the second sentence he referred to the drop of the seventh in 3rd and 4th bar.
14. In the third sentence he referred to "bar 7" which is a hint at "/7" of 22/7.
15. Elgar was known for his interest in puzzles and his love of japes (jokes).
16. Pi fits all of the clues given in Elgar's 1899 program notes.
17. Pi is the "Theme" in the literary sense. It is the idea or concept behind the work. It is "never heard." It is "off-stage."
Could this be the "real" solution? What do YOU think?'
Search me.
'There are many reasons to believe that Elgar's enigma has been revealed (as confirmed by his 1929 notes.) Here are a few:
1. Elgar's Enigma Variation (EV) were about his "circle" of friends. A constant in all circles is Pi.
2. Pi is usually approximated as 3.142 as a decimal or 22/7 as a fraction.
3. The first four notes of EV are scale degree 3-1-4-2, decimal Pi.
4. In 1929, Elgar wrote that the drop of the seventh in bars 3 and 4 should be observed.
5. These 2/7 follow exactly after the first 11 notes. ie: 11 x 2/7 = 22/7, fractional Pi.
6. Elgar wrote EV in the year following the ridiculous Indiana Pi Bill of 1897 which attempted to legislate the value of Pi.
7. Elgar wrote that there was a "dark saying that shall remain unguessed." Could that be, "Four and twenty blackbirds (dark) baked in a Pie (Pi)?
8. There are exactly four and twenty black notes (with wings- slurs, or ties) in the first six measures of EV which contain Pi.
9. Elgar wrote that the EV were begun in a spirit of humour.
10. Elgar often said that the enigma was well known. Pi is taught to nearly everyone as part of a basic education.
11. In 1929 Elgar was 72, in ill-health and many of his friends had died. He probably wanted to leave some confirmation of the enigma's solution since he might not be there to do so. He wrote 3 sentences which contain 3 hints at fractional Pi.
12. In the first sentence he wrote of two quavers and two crotchets- at hint at "22" (of 22/7).
13. In the second sentence he referred to the drop of the seventh in 3rd and 4th bar.
14. In the third sentence he referred to "bar 7" which is a hint at "/7" of 22/7.
15. Elgar was known for his interest in puzzles and his love of japes (jokes).
16. Pi fits all of the clues given in Elgar's 1899 program notes.
17. Pi is the "Theme" in the literary sense. It is the idea or concept behind the work. It is "never heard." It is "off-stage."
Could this be the "real" solution? What do YOU think?'
Search me.
I almost fell off my chair laughing - you have made my day .....
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