Nimrod

The Enigma Variations were dedicated to beloved individuals in Edward Elgar's life, immortalizing each one through musical representations of their personalities.  In the Old Testament, the patriarch Nimrod is described as a mighty hunter before the Lord.  The German word for hunter is Jaeger.  This, the ninth variation, is dedicated to Augustus J. Jaeger -  friend, critic, and confidant of Elgar who helped see the composer through difficult life circumstances.

Variable instrumentation will work for full or string orchestra; Key transposed a half-step lower than the original to D; the most awkward melodic leaps of a 7th have been simplified; the opening harmonic progression is simplified by utilizing alternate chord tones.  Additional parts include Suspended Cymbal, Bells, Alto Saxophones doubling Horns, Violin 3 doubling the Viola, Viola 2 doubling Violin 2.