Nimrod - Edward Elgar/ arr. Jay Bocook | Oregon State University Wind Symphony

November 25, 2025 Oregon State Wind Symphony Fall Concert Olin G. Hannum, Conductor Video Production Hailey De Leon Olin G. Hannum Cole Keady Nimrod - Edward Elgar/ arr. Jay Bocook Program Notes: 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. Elgar was the dominant English composer of his time, and was knighted in 1904, awarded the Order of Merit in 1911, and made Master of the King’s Musick in 1924.