Nimrod (flex)

Sir Edward Elgar

Subtitle: From Enigma Variations

General Info

Year: 1899 / 2011
Duration: c. 2:25
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $55.00; (digital) - $55.00 | Score Only (print) - $5.00

Instrumentation (Flexible)

Full Score
Part 1

Flute
Oboe
B-flat Clarinet
B-flat Trumpet
Violin

Part 2

B-flat Clarinet
B-flat Trumpet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
Violin

Part 3

B-flat Clarinet
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
E-flat Alto Clarinet
F Horn
Violin
Viola

Part 4

B-flat Tenor Saxophone
Euphonium T.C
F Horn
Trombone
Euphonium B.C.
Bassoon
Cello

Part 5

B-flat Bass Clarinet
Trombone
Euphonium B.C.
Bassoon
Euphonium T.C.
Cello
B-flat Baritone Saxophone
Tuba
String/Electric Bass

Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

Bells
Crash Cymbals
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

This Adagio movement from the Enigma Variations provides an excellent opportunity for developing bands to work on tone, blend, intonation, and dynamics. Jay Bocook's arrangement is designed for smaller bands and features flexible scoring options to fit most any ensemble.

- Program Note from publisher

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 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

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

Indiana: ISSMA HR/MS/ELEM BAND GROUP Ii

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

South Carolina Governor's School of the Arts (Greenville) Wind Ensemble (Leslie W. Hicken, conductor) - 12 December 2022
Northwest Missouri State University (Maryville) Wind Symphony (John Bell, conductor) - 27 October 2020
University of St Andrews (Scotland) Concert Wind Band (Rebecca Anderson, conductor) – Spring 2014

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Land of Hope and Glory (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Brand) (1907/2007)
Nimrod (Flex Instrumentation) (arr. Bocook) (1899/2011)
Pomp and Circumstance (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Stanton) (1907/2011)

All Wind Works

As Torrents in Summer (tr. Davis) (1896/1968)
As Torrents in Summer (arr. Rager) (1896/2018)
Cello Concerto (arr. McLain) (1919/2013)
Chanson de Matin (arr. de Meij) (c. 1890/1988)
The Crown of India March (arr. Winterbottom) (1912)
The Crown of India Suite (arr. Winterbottom) (1912/1913)
The Empire March (arr. Noble) (1924/2020)
Enigma Variations (tr Patterson). See: Variations on an Original Theme: "Enigma"
Enigma Variations (tr. Slocum) (1899/)
Enigma Variations (arr. Thompson)
Graduation Suite (with Mouret; arr. Story) (2002)
March of the Mogul Emperors (arr. Longfield)
Land of Hope and Glory (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Brand) (1907/2007)
Nimrod (Flex Instrumentation) (arr. Bocook) (1899/2011)
Nimrod (arr. Borsvold) (1899/2005)
Nimrod (Clarinet Choir) (arr. Hautvast) (1899/2008)
Nimrod (Saxophone Choir) (arr. Hautvast) (1899/2008)
Nimrod (Woodwind Ensemble) (arr. Hautvast) (1899/2010)
Nimrod (arr. Glover) (1899/2018)
Nimrod (arr. Moerenhout) (1899/1954)
Nimrod (tr. D. Patterson) (1899/)
Nimrod (arr. Reed) (1899/1965)
Pomp and Circumstance (arr. Kinyon) (1907/1969)
Pomp and Circumstance (arr. Martin) (1907/2023)
Pomp and Circumstance (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Stanton) (1907/2011)
Pomp and Circumstance Marches (arr. Caron)
Pomp and Circumstance Military March No. 1 (tr. Retford; ed. Reed) (1901/1902/2000)
Pomp and Circumstance Military March No. 2 (tr. Retford; ed. Reed) (1901/2000)
Pomp and Circumstance Military March No. 3 (tr. Retford; ed. Reed) (1904/2000)
Pomp and Circumstance Military March No. 4 (tr. Retford; ed. Reed) (1907/2000)
Salut d'Amour (arr. Hautvast) (1888/2007)
Salut d'Amour (arr. Molenaar) (1888/2018)
Sérénade Lyrique (arr. Hautvast) (/2011)
The Severn Suite (tr. Reed) (1930/1973)
Sursum Corda (arr. Houseknecht) (1894/1967)
Triumphal March (arr. Pollen)
Variations on an Original Theme: "Enigma" (tr. Patterson) (1899/)

Resources

Elgar, E.; Bocook, J. (2011). Nimrod: From "Enigma Variations." [score]. Hal Leonard: Milwaukee, Wisc.
Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music. "Nimrod." Accessed 22 November 2014
Perusal score