The Music of Friendship By 3H/S. Good morning everybody. Welcome to our assembly. We hope you enjoyed listening to the assembly music this morning. It.

The Music of Friendship

By 3H/S

Good morning everybody.

Welcome to our assembly.

We hope you enjoyed listening to the assembly music this morning. It was composed by Edward Elgar.

Have you ever heard of Edward Elgar? Perhaps you have seen one of these?

A portrait of Edward Elgar is found on the back of a £20

note.

The title of the music is the Enigma Variations. It is a set of variations on a theme or a tune.

Can anyone tell me what the word “enigma” means?

The word “enigma” means a puzzle or riddle.

The puzzle is that Edward Elgar had a well-known tune in mind when he composed the theme for his variations, but he kept it a secret.

These are the titles of some of Elgar’s variations. What do you think they mean?

They are the initials of his family and friends, beginning in the first variation with his wife (C.A.E.: Caroline Alice Edgar)

Elgar imagined how each of his different friends might play his tune. The variations are musical pictures, or portraits, of the people Elgar knew and loved.

Listen to this musical picture and think about the character it brings to mind.

Are they happy or sad; quiet or noisy; gentle or fierce?

Variation 8 (W.N.) is for a friend called Winifred Norbury. Winifred was a gentle and happy person.

Variation 4 (W.M.B.) is a great contrast. It pictures William Meath Baker, a friend who had a rather gruff manner, and sometimes banged the door when he left the room!

We have been thinking about our friends and family, and have created some pieces of music about them.

Time to think: think of one of your friends or a member of your family.

What kind of music would best describe them?

Friendship can bring together people of very different personalities.

What are friendships built around?

If 3H could make music about friendship we would include these notes:

Resect, trust, love, hope, care, kindness

It is time to sing.

Hands together eyes closed.

Creator God,

Thank you for special friendships. Help us to live in harmony with one another and to enjoy our different personalities.

Amen

Thank you for coming to our assembly.