Enigma Variations - Nimrod (Arr. Jonathan Scott)

Edward Elgar’s *Nimrod* from the *Enigma Variations*, in an organ transcription by English organist Jonathan Scott\.

There is little that needs to be said about *Nimrod* itself—its long, gradual ascent from quiet introspection to the great climax, followed by its rapid return to a hushed conclusion, is one of Elgar’s most familiar and powerful musical statements\.

I chose it for this recording because that extraordinary dynamic arc makes it an ideal piece for exploring the tonal palette of the St Mary Redcliffe organ\. Beginning with the quietest foundations and strings, the arrangement gradually brings more and more of the instrument into play before reaching full organ, then quickly retreats through the dynamic range to the softest sounds of the instrument at the close\. In doing so, it provides an opportunity to hear not only the power of the organ, but the breadth of color and enormous range of dynamic expression available between its quietest and loudest extremes\.

Recorded using Version 3 of Beauty in Sound’s St Mary Redcliffe sample set for Hauptwerk\.