The story is told of how Edward Elgar, returning home from giving violin lessons, sat down at the piano and, to unwind, began improvising. His wife, Alice, commented favorably on the tune that emerged and Elgar responded by suggesting how certain of their friends might play it.
Out of that spontaneous exchange grew the idea of the Enigma Variations, the work that finally secured Elgar’s reputation as a composer of national, even international, standing. It remains one of the most popular works in the classical repertoire.
The Ninth Variation is titled “Nimrod”, and it relates to
A. J. Jaeger, Elgar’s great friend whose encouragement did much to keep Elgar going during the period when he was struggling to secure a lasting reputation. This variation allegedly captures a discussion between them on Beethoven’s slow movements.
Here is an excellent performance of Nimrod by the London Philharmonic Orchestra:
