Elgar's Enigma: Biography of a Concerto

A Story of Music, War & Heartbreak

Near the end of his life, the renowned English composer Elgar composed some of the greatest music of his career. This film examines the idea that Elgar's deeply emotional Cello Concerto in Em was provoked by memories of his first great love, Helen Weaver, who emigrated to New Zealand after their relationship ended. After receiving word that Weaver's son had been killed fighting in France, Elgar was moved to write a war requiem. The film mixes interviews, dramatisations, and a performance of the concerto by cellist Lynn Harrell and the NZSO.

AWARDS

Awards Finalist, Best Festival Documentary, Qantas Television Awards 2006 Finalist, Best Camera, Qantas Television Awards 2006

FESTIVALS

Official Selection: World Cinema Showcase, Auckland Invited screening, Film and History Association Conference, Melbourne Invited Screening, EIDC Documentary Festival, Seoul, Korea
44th International Television Festival, Golden Prague, Prague
International Film Festival on Water, Bangalore, India
Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival, Ithaca, New York