Elgar: "Nimrod" from "Enigma Variations"

Ian Wooldridge on cornet accompanied by Edith Hanselman on organ perform "Nimrod" from Sir Edward Elgar's "Enigma Variations" as the offertory during the Canada Day Service at Strathroy United Church on June 29, 2008.

Mr. Wooldridge is the principle cornet player of the Abbet Brass in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England.

Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet, OM, GCVO (2 June 1857 -- 23 February 1934) was an English Romantic composer. Several of his first major orchestral works, including the Enigma Variations and the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, were greeted with acclaim. He also composed oratorios, chamber music, symphonies, instrumental concertos, and songs. He was appointed Master of the King's Musick in 1924.

Variations on an Original Theme for orchestra, Op. 36 ("Enigma"), commonly referred to as the "Enigma" Variations, is a set of a theme and its fourteen variations written for orchestra by Edward Elgar in 1898--99. It is Elgar's best-known large-scale composition, for both the music itself and the enigmas behind it. Elgar dedicated the piece to "my friends pictured within", each variation being an affectionate portrayal of one of his circle of close acquaintances.

Variation 9 (Adagio) "Nimrod"
Augustus J. Jaeger, Elgar's best friend. It is said that this variation, as well as an attempt to capture what Elgar saw as Jaeger's noble character, depicts a night-time walk the two of them had, during which they discussed the slow movements of Ludwig van Beethoven. The first eight bars resemble, and have been said to represent, the beginning of the second movement of Beethoven's Eighth Piano Sonata (Pathetique). The name of the variation punningly refers to an Old Testament patriarch described as a mighty hunter, the name Jaeger being German for hunter.
This variation has become popular in its own right and is sometimes used at funerals, memorial services, and other solemn occasions. It is always played at the Cenotaph in London on Remembrance Sunday (the Sunday nearest to 11th November).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Strathroy
• United
• Church
• Edward
• Elgar
• Nimrod
• Enigma
• Variations
• Ian
• Wooldridge

[jmcgatkinson]

Slow down. This is the slow part of the big enigma which is solemn, and should be played no faster than crotchet = 60 beats per minute (3/4 time signature), if you are expressing Elgar's original intention. To play soft, long notes is one of the great challenges on a brass instrument, and deep breathing between phrases is critical for its effect..

[klwalker6]

Cornet player is ok but who is the organ player kidding? I hope she hasn't given up her day job...

[wsjulz]

A bit fast and with split notes. I wouldn't have posted it, lol

[deltaray3]

God wanted him to fail, right?

[manouchehr7]

Disgusting

[MusicThoughtFeeling]

ok ok ok but they are just learning the piece (I assume) so give them a break. If they play it together several more times it will start to come together - we've all been there. It would be nice to see them post an improved version after a bit of practice.

[dcc162]

I can't believe how bad this is. Its almost funny.

[RyaZila24]

he preformed this the same day as my birthday

disgusting...

[barber77167883]

What a bloody travesty !

Are these men taking the piss ?

[jhealy1970]

doesn't Nimrod mean dildo?