Main content

Codes, Ciphers, Enigmas

The Listening Service selects Elgar's 'Enigma Variations' to look at codes, ciphers and hidden messages in music. With Professor Marcus du Sautoy.

The Listening Service returns to its regular slot now the Proms are over, and chooses one of the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ's "Ten Pieces III", Elgar's "Enigma Variations", to look at codes, ciphers and hidden messages in music.
What might be the "dark saying" or mystery tune that the Enigma Variations are based around? Which other composers were keen on the use of codes and ciphers in their music?
And if we can't crack the codes, does it matter?
With Tom Service and Prof. Marcus du Sautoy.

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Fri 17 Sep 2021 16:30
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

Musical Protests

Next

Music for Mourning

See all episodes from The Listening Service

  • Ten Pieces

    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Ten Pieces - opening up the world of classical music to the next generation.

Music Played

  • Robert Schumann

    Fantasy in C major Op.17

    Performer: Paul Lewis.
    • Harmonia Mundi.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Symphony no 10, Finale

    Performer: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Vasily Petrenko.
    • Naxos.

  • Pink Floyd

    Empty Spaces

    Performer: Pink Floyd.
    • The Wall.
    • Harvest.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Symphony no. 38 (K.504) in D major "Prague", 2nd movement; Andante

    Performer: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Performer: Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
    • Elatus.

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Symphony no. 5 (Op.107) in D major "Reformation", 4th movement

    Performer: Vienna Philharmonic. Performer: Christoph von DohnΓ‘nyi.
    • Decca.

  • Franz Liszt

    Les Preludes

    Performer: West–Eastern Divan Orchestra. Performer: Daniel Barenboim.
    • Decca.

  • The Royal Doulton Band

    Now The Day Is Over

    • Hymns For Band The Royal Doulton Band.
    • Bandleader.

  • Rod Stewart

    Auld Lang Syne

    • Merry Christmas, Baby (Deluxe Edition).
    • Verve Records.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080; Contrapunctus XIV

    Performer: Pierre‐Laurent Aimard.
    • DG.

  • Alban Berg

    Lyric Suite, Third Movement

    Performer: Schoenberg Quartet.
    • Chandos.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Cinque, dieci (The Marriage of Figaro)

    Singer: Cecilia Bartoli. Singer: Bryn Terfel. Orchestra: Orchestra of Santa Cecilia. Conductor: Myung-Whun Chung.
    • Decca.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    String Quartet no 8

    Performer: Carducci String Quartet.
    • Signum.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Symphony no 10 . 4th movt

    Performer: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Vasily Petrenko.
    • Naxos.

  • Hans Zimmer

    Variation 15 (Dunkirk)

    Composer: Benjamin Wallfisch. Performer: Hans Zimmer. Performer: Benjamin Wallfisch.
    • Dunkirk (Soundtrack).
    • WaterTower Music.

  • Edward Elgar

    Variations on an original theme ('Enigma') ... (Op.36), Variation 11; G.R.S.

    Performer: London Symphony Orchestra. Performer: John Barbirolli.
    • EMI.

  • Edward Elgar

    Variations on an original theme ('Enigma') ... (Op.36), Variation 6; Ysobel

    Performer: London Symphony Orchestra. Performer: John Barbirolli.
    • EMI.

  • Edward Elgar

    Variations on an original theme ('Enigma') ... (Op.36), Variation 7; Troyte

    Performer: London Symphony Orchestra. Performer: John Barbirolli.
    • EMI.

  • Edward Elgar

    Variations on an original theme ('Enigma') ... (Op.36), Variation 14; E.D.U.

    Performer: London Symphony Orchestra. Performer: John Barbirolli.
    • EMI.

  • Edward Elgar

    Enigma Variations

    Performer: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Performer: AndrΓ© Previn.
    • Philips.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 10 Sep 2017 17:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Fri 9 Aug 2019 16:30
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Sun 12 Sep 2021 17:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Fri 17 Sep 2021 16:30
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

Why do we call it 'classical' music?

Tom Service poses a very simple question (with a not-so-simple answer).

Six of the world's most extreme voices

From babies to Mongolian throat singers: whose voice is the most extreme of all?

How did the number 12 revolutionise music?

How did the number 12 revolutionise music?

How Schoenberg opened a new cosmos for composers and listeners to explore.

Why are we all addicted to bass?

Why are we all addicted to bass?

Bass is everywhere, but why do we enjoy it? Join Tom Service on a journey of discovery.

Watch the animations

Join Tom Service on a musical journey through beginnings, repetition and bass lines.

When does noise become music?

We like to think we can separate β€œnoise” from β€œmusic”, but is it that simple?

Podcast