Nimrod (arr. Borsvold)

From Wind Repertory Project
Sir Edward Elgar

Edward Elgar (arr. David Borsvold)


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General Info

Year: 1899 / 2005
Duration: c. 3:20
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Unknown
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown


Instrumentation

Full Score
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Tuba I-II
Timpani


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

At the heart of Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Variation 9 to be precise, lies one of the most moving passages in all of Western classical music. It’s a portrait of his friend, A.E. Jaeger. It’s not called ‘A.E.J’, as you might expect, but rather Nimrod. Jaeger worked for the publishing house of Novello, and was a staunch friend to the composer, in good times and in challenging ones. Elgar mentioned that the variation was a portrait of a long summer evening talk, “when my friend discoursed eloquently on the slow movements of Beethoven”.

But why ‘Nimrod’? Because ‘Jaeger’ was German, and in German "jaeger" means "hunter." Nimrod was the ‘mighty hunter’ mentioned in the Bible (Genesis: 10).

The 'Nimrod" variation is often performed by musical ensembles in remembrance of colleagues who have died. Today, we remember the victims of the current pandemic.

- Program Note from Cleveland Winds concert program, 21 March 2021


The Enigma Variations were written for orchestra in 1899 and bore the dedication “To My Friends Pictured Within.” The theme and fourteen variations catapulted Elgar to international acclaim. The story is told of how Elgar, returning home after a long day of giving violin lessons, sat down to unwind at the piano and tinkered by improvising. His wife commented on one of the melodies that emerged, and out of that exchange was born the concept of fashioning the original melody ... as it might be played by some of their friends in their own style. In all, fourteen people and a dog are featured in the Variations.

- Program Note by Nikk Pilato


Elgar was the dominant English composer of his time, and was knighted in 1904, awarded the Order of Merit in 1911, and made Master of the King’s Musick in 1924.

Elgar wrote the Enigma Variations in 1899 and dedicated them “to my friends pictured within.” The theme and 14 variations belong to the period in which Elgar developed the style that placed him in the front rank of English composers. The beautifully lyrical Nimrod (Variation IX) is dedicated to the publisher A.J. Jaeger. (Nimrod is the great hunter of the bible; Jaeger is the German word for hunter.)

- Program note from Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Cleveland (Ohio) Winds (Birch Browning, conductor) - 21 March 2021


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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