Los Angeles Philharmonic

Elgar’s Enigma Variations contain one of the most fascinating mysteries in British classical music. Consisting of a theme and 14 variations—some dark and searching, others playful and assertive—the orchestral work builds upon a wistful theme that was written as a countermelody to an unknown piece that Elgar never shared. A century later, no one has cracked the code to the secret tune. Roberto González-Monjas opens the program with another set of variations, this time by Korngold, overflowing with golden harmonies and a folkish warmth.   Sheku Kanneh-Mason, “a cellist so talented it is simply outrageous” (The Courier and Evening Telegraph), reunites with the LA Phil for the world premiere of an Edmund Finnis concerto. After working together on Kanneh-Mason’s 2022 album Song, the cellist described the British composer’s work as “distinctive in character and perfectly written for the cello.”