Elgar's Enigma

Near the end of his life, renowned English composer Edward Elgar composed some of the greatest music of his career. This film examines the idea that Elgar's deeply emotional Cello Concerto in E Minor was provoked by memories of his first great love, Helen Weaver, who emigrated downunder after their relationship ended. After learning that Weaver's son had been killed fighting in France, Elgar was moved to write a war requiem. The award-nominated film mixed interviews, dramatisations, and a performance of the concerto by cellist Lynn Harrell and the NZ Symphony Orchestra.

The first thing that he wrote down that we have…is this six bar descent which starts in the violas…then its taken over by the cellos, seamlessly…and I thought of that, partly, as a descent into the grave…

– Opening narration in part one describing Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor

Key Cast & Crew

Simon Raby

Sound, Cinematographer

Briar March

Art Direction , Costumes, Production Management

Annie Goldson

Writer, Producer, Director, Editor, Sound, Research

Robert McCulley

As: Voice of Elgar

Jeremy Birchall

As: Voice of Kenneth

John Seymour

As: Edward Elgar