Lux aeterna edward elgar biography
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Elgar 'Nimrod': all you need to know about this emotional masterpiece from the Enigma Variations
Here's a potted guide to 'Nimrod' by Edward Elgar, the ninth and easily the best known of the composer's dazzling, inventive Enigma Variations. And, as we will see, this piece, which has become one of the most famous and best-loved pieces in all of classical music, had its origins in a very simple act between two friends.
Who composed 'Nimrod' and why?
'Nimrod' is the name given to the ninth and best-known variation in Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations, an orchestral work of 14 variations on an original theme composed between 1898 and 1899. Each variation is also a portrait of one of 14 members of Elgar's family and circle of friends. A celebrated work in its own right, 'Nimrod' is a portrait of Augustus J. Jaeger, Elgar's editor and publisher.
Jaeger sang to him for inspiration
This serene variation portrays a story, rather than personifies Jaeger, representing the years of advice and encouragement given to Elgar by his friend. Supporting Elgar throughout depressive episodes and lack of confidence in his work, Jaeger once reminded him of Beethoven's music, which only increased in beauty, despite the composer's similar anxieties.
In tribute to this moment, 'Nimrod's
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Enigma Variations
Musical composition by Edward Elgar
For the Enigma Records compilation album, see Enigma Variations.
Edward Elgar composed his Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, popularly known as the Enigma Variations,[a] between October 1898 and February 1899. It is an orchestral work comprising fourteen variations on an original theme.
Elgar dedicated the work "to my friends pictured within", each variation being a musical sketch of one of his circle of close acquaintances (see musical cryptogram). Those portrayed include Elgar's wife Alice, his friend and publisher Augustus J. Jaeger and Elgar himself. In a programme note for a performance in 1911 Elgar wrote:
This work, commenced in a spirit of humour & continued in deep seriousness, contains sketches of the composer's friends. It may be understood that these personages comment or reflect on the original theme & each one attempts a solution of the Enigma, for so the theme is called. The sketches are not 'portraits' but each variation contains a distinct idea founded on some particular personality or perhaps on some incident known only to two people. This is the basis of the composition, but the work may be listened to as a 'piece of music' apart from any extraneous considera
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Edward Elgar
English composer (1857–1934)
"Elgar" redirects here. Jumble to titter confused farm Edward Composer Publishing. Be glad about other uses, see Composer (disambiguation).
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