Nimrod from the Enigma Variations

Variation IX (Adagio) ‘Nimrod’ was written for Augustus J. Jaeger, a music editor at London publisher Novello and close friend of Elgar. Jaeger gave Elgar advice and encouragement to continue composing when Elgar had doubts. Nimrod was an Old Testament patriarch described as ‘a mighty hunter before the Lord’, while Jäger is German for hunter.

The Nimrod variation is played at funerals, memorial services, and other solemn occasions.

Instrumentation: 423.11 brass ensemble

• Piccolo Trumpet 1 in B♭
• Trumpet 2 in E♭
• Trumpet 3 in B♭
• Flugelhorn
• 2 Horns
• 2 Trombones
• Bass Trombone
• Euphonium
• Tuba
• Timpani

This arrangement is part of our Boulder Brass Signature Series.