Elgar - Nimrod (from "Enigma Variations")

[@alancrabb]

60 years ago this was played at a school memorial service for a school chum who died of leukaemia - aged about 16 I guess. He continued attending school and taking exams, knowing his days were numbered. His name was Ken Gillespie, of Sutton, Surrey, UK. A brave young man, not forgotten.

[@brothert7893]

Thank you for sharing the knowledge of Ken with us all.

[@davehoggan3907]

😢🎉😮😢🎉😅 bl n V. 🎉

[@Rafael-xt1nm]

Anyone who can face death in such a brave manner is a special human being. Gone, but not forgotten Ken Gillespie.

[@dominicmurphy5919]

Any one dieing is able to take it better than related person my brother brother was

[@dreamer2260]

What a beautiful comment. Thank you for sharing.

[@davidburrows499]

This is one of the most sublime pieces of music ever written without doubt.

[@alanevans5676]

this was played at my wife funeral on Thursday what a beautiful song i will never for get here

[@andreagascoigne6735]

May she rest in eternal, blessed peace 💕💕💕❤️

[@ianpemberton565]

I can still see my dad listening to Nimrod sitting in his favourite armchair , head back, eyes closed. He passed away in 1981, I'm 78 now and the pain is still there. It's so diffiuclut to forget his last few hours. This recording brings it all back...I love it despite the tears it brings..

[@jackgeitz-b4i]

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness yes

[@paul-ks3jt]

Beautiful 😢🙏

[@thomasmenk3601]

In Heaven only tears will be counted. Emile Cioran

[@davepaddock6452]

Have always loved this, will want it for my funeral.

[@cherrydaltonfinch217]

Bless your heart. Don't you see...that's when yr Daddy was with you while you played it. ❤ He has and always will be with you and one day you'll be in his arms again...and it will be almost as if you were never apart. Something to hold on to that's worth waiting for ❤ xxxx I too lost my Daddy. It was unexpected and we were in the road, but he was in my arms and I felt him go and I knew he'd never really leave me. I feel him everyday. And though Ive much still to learn...I lokk forward to our eternal hug. I know we wont let go again. ❤😂😂😂 xxxx Remember the Happy Days and hang onto those. Bless you..keep safe xxx

[@vernonstirling4180]

I,m 84 years old and now starting to feel that age. I have chosen Elgar's Nimrod to be played at my wake along with Land of Hope and Glory(I am an Aussie). My body will be used for Medical Science, a worthy cause I think.

[@willemjvanhoorn8921]

Vernon Stirling hope you are still around to enjoy this music! Hang on in there!

[@timothybaxter7392]

Nimrod, I Vow To Thee My Country, and Eternal Father will be my tunes as I'm carried out feet first. Can't think of a better way to go.

[@darrenkewley3879]

This piece transcends age, Vernon, when I was 18 and deployed to Iraq, I wrote in my will that this be played if I come back in a flag-draped coffin. If I die tomorrow or 60 years from now, that pledge still stands.

[@shirleyhare6177]

Vernon Stirling very worthy , Vernon, but hope it’s not for a looong time, so you can listen to this for a looong time too! Best wishes. Australia

[@johnteare3159]

Vernon Stirling hope you are well sir , will have this played on my departure wonderful piece

[@alison7707]

This is the last piece of music my dad heard over earphones, two days before he died at home. It was also played at his funeral. He always loved Elgar. He could hardly speak anymore and he slept mostly the last few days. I told him of what awaits him, his great new adventure and how happy and painless he would be. I miss him so much, it hurts. This beautiful music will always remind me of him.

[@Nckgdmn]

I think that’s one of the most moving things I’ve ever read. Respectfully, Nicholas

[@victorwhichelo3349]

God bless you and your dad, Elgar and his music is much of your, mine and your dads time and regretably it is being lost. But we can all look forward to hearing it in the next life and seeing our beloved once again.

[@duncanrs]

If you never forget someone, they never leave

[@nigelarbury9989]

​@@duncanrs great comment

[@raymondpalagano6322]

It's a beautiful piece of music, and that it was the last music he heard.

[@b.anders]

I dedicate this music to my beloved daughter, who died at the age of 14 three years ago. May you rest in peace my little heroin, may angels guard you and may the memory of you always keep us connected, i love you little princess.

[@carolynhartnett8813]

So sorry for your loss

[@brettharrison2237]

❤️😢

[@davidmitchell2926]

Peace be with you brother.

[@oogyboogytom5677]

i also love heroin

[@leontab8320]

I’m so sorry for your loss

[@davehannigan7446]

This was played at my Father's funeral during Covid. A funeral I was not permitted to travel to. 89 years of life as an incredible Son, Brother Husband, Father, Grandfather and Uncle. And only 2 people could get to the funeral. This beautiful piece by Elgar will forever remind me of him.

[@johnking5433]

I am sorry you could not travel to the services. Yes, beautiful music.

[@farqfarq2225]

Who stopped you. ?

[@gnasha8146]

Tragic for you, after 89 years of age and only two people allowed to attend. I'm in tears writing this, I feel for you. Take care my friend, stay safe.

[@slidewayzproductions9546]

They'd have to kill me to stop me from attending my father's funeral

[@suzeesue17]

That is so sad. I'm sorry 😞

[@peterharvell4337]

lost my son almost 2 years ago, he was only 41, his illness and passing was of only 2 weeks duration, and listening to this piece makes me feel much closer to him than ever, he was a big part of my life. This is a fantastic piece which I listen to very often

[@maryblom7]

May God bless you.....

[@inaneramblings6751]

+Peter Harvell Thinking of you Peter at this difficult time

[@libby1024]

+Peter Harvell Firstly moved by the music, then moved by your words, even read it out to my wife. May your god bless you and you son. Ross

[@sharoncarmont905]

Beautiful music Peter. I lost my Dad 3 days ago and this piece just sums him up. Stay strong

[@welingtonlaufer2357]

Your son must be in a place beautiful as this music!

[@iansmith1965]

I weep uncontrollably every time I hear this. There is just something about this piece of music that really touches your soul. Possibly the most beautiful, touching and emotional piece of music ever written.

[@linakantor9592]

Exactly how I feel

[@malcolmabram2957]

The Andante from the Archduke trio by Beethoven cuts me up.

[@stuartclimo1144]

Remlnds me of England.

[@jumpinjehoshaphat1951]

Has there ever been a more profound tribute to the intimacy of friendship?

[@asredbirdy]

I feel the same.

[@Twmpa]

One of the greatest pieces of British music ever composed.

[@AJ-bz7wq]

10000000 % right

[@vernonstirling4180]

You also must have a ear for good music. Vern S.

[@mysticmouse7261]

It transcends nationalities.

[@rossanalonza7405]

One of the greatest pieces of Music ever composed. Not only British. From Italy 😉

[@alanpeel3450]

NO THE GREATEST.

[@brianburke7775]

I am very ill at the moment and all seems lost but this piece of music gives me great hope

[@N0th1ng010]

You still alive?

[@brothert7893]

Take care Brian

[@hazelmacmillan7588]

Music lke this helps, I hope you are getting better.

[@andyh444]

Wishing you the very best ❤

[@timenow5312]

Brian, what's wrong, don't give up. I've studied nutrition for years and know that even the food we eat can harm, and even save us from the worst life can throw at us, let us know, we will help you.

[@markgleave5441]

No words needed. Possibly the most beautifully uplifting piece of music ever written.... emotionally draining..

[@valeriehenderson241]

Every year, without fail, at the Cenotaph service in November ( and probably every month) I cry on hearing this. Sublime.

[@veronicaatkins7379]

@@valeriehenderson241me too😢. In fact it is Remembrance Day today and I watched it this morning. As soon as I hear this music, I just well up ❤

[@jamesalexander5623]

I'm an American ( Lived 9 Years in England USAF ) I want this played when they throw my ashes off the Cliffs of Dover!

[@MonktonJohn]

Thank you sir for your service to our great country 🇬🇧

[@britannia55]

Thank you for your service, it’s nice to know that you would like your ashes scattered over the white cliffs, I hope this won’t happen for many years yet though.

[@valeriehenderson241]

Hope it happens... but not for a long time

[@jamesalexander5623]

@@MonktonJohn I honestly wish I could live there again!

[@craigsimons817]

It will be an honour, sir. 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@raymonddooley2623]

Beautiful rendition of this glorious piece of music. Chicago Symphony one of the best in the business. It is so English. I am Irish but still love this piece.

[@gemmacoebergh8062]

I think of my late husband, he was Dutch like me, but an Englishman at heart,. When he came in England for the first time, he sad: "I am at home!" Hearing Elgar's Nimrod brings him back, and I am glad when this happens.

[@brucehubbard7565]

You will always be welcome in my homeland.

[@valeriehenderson241]

Words fail me, so, so, sweet

[@grimandi]

I always feel the Dutch, as we call them and the English are very close in temperament and philosophy.

[@Orson2u]

Wow. As a Dutch lover and one time A’dam resident, I whole heartedly agree.

[@SandraGallagher-z3c]

The best piece of music ever composed by an Englishman. Played at my Dads funeral 8 years ago today and still brings me to tears every time I hear it.

[@aileanbreac5584]

When my Dad died 14 years ago after a long illness and the funeral guys had just left. I got in my car and went for a drive in the rain. I pulled over in a nearby park and this suddenly came on the radio. I sobbed my eyes out on that steering wheel. Now I think of it not just of my Dad who was in the RAF, but all those lads who died alone in action in both WWI and II.

[@harrykeeling3256]

god bless you Aileanbreac and your dad and his comrades,hope you stay well and safe in this terrible time.

[@davidbarber4709]

Oh to be British the land so green the Queen the Queens own Royal Marine oh to be British Pride Honour Faith and the land of music who else does it better

[@davelee8961]

God bless your Dad. Not a day you will ever forget.

[@SuperFerdie1965]

You sound a very nice man. Good luck.

[@cheaplaffsarefree]

I know what it's like to have a certain piece of music trigger a catharsis. Here's hoping you found some peace, my friend.

[@davideverett9684]

One of the most profoundly moving pieces of music ever.

[@thewesternwonderer9065]

Beautiful.. just Beautiful!

[@cemonkey1]

Just heard this played following the announcement of The Queen's passing- nothing could be more appropriate or powerful. I'm an American, but I had tears in my eyes...

[@mrturtle1128]

I had this opened because of the same occasion as well. Just fitting as a tribute.

[@seanirish6173]

If i was british i be so proud

[@cookstr2000]

Nimrod is one of those pieces of music than can pull a tear from the hardest and driest of stones... it was a potent piece of music last night

[@alexanderpaulburton]

I’m British and Canadian. Very sad at this news.

[@SingaporeGregory]

It was (the Queen's husband) the Duke of Edinburgh's favourite piece of music. Played so poignantly by the Royal Guards at his funeral.

[@stephenbromley1876]

I'm a funeral director and hear this very often and apart from The last post and Sunset it always and I mean always brings a lump to my throat and a secret tear to my eyes .

[@valeriehenderson241]

Bravely spoken..

[@kevinjamesparr552]

You should know that death is not the end it is the very beginning

[@SaulTiberiusNads]

This is one of the few pieces of music that has the power to reduce me to tears

[@kathyshogue2149]

Mark L -Me too.

[@rayancharafeddine4982]

Yesterday I was at a concert. The conductor (who was conducting his first concert ever) at the end dedicated to a recently deceased family member. I couldn't stop crying

[@TheBobPeyton]

It will for me now. My wife wanted this played at our wedding 46 years ago. Unfortunately the organist screwed up and played "Here Comes the Bride". At her funeral on 15th february2019, I had this as part of the music to ensure that she had her wish realised.

[@angeloravera324]

I am in tears!!!

[@paulgowdy2683]

Tears now

[@eddiethecounsel]

Still listening to this on 11 November 2024.

[@PaulWalker-f4m]

Good lad.

[@karendecrease5373]

This piece crosses all boundaries. I’m an American and listen daily to it!

[@dermotomalley1495]

This song makes me proud to be British. Except I'm Irish. That's how great this song is.

[@andyjarman4958]

Your family Dermot.

[@BigMrFirebird]

Since it was the Romans who named the area the "British Isles" without thought of tribal or national politics, it means Welsh, Scots and Irish were the original British, and still are, (with a later addition of the English) in a geographical sense at least.

[@seanmoran6510]

Music to move the soul

[@sirtainlee8725]

Lol! You're a good man Dermot.

[@exaudi33]

It makes me proud to be human.

[@chriswalker9435]

They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.

[@gibsoclark23]

aye we will remember them

[@gramule]

In Hebrew and Christian tradition, Nimrod is considered the leader of those who built the Tower of Babel in the land of Shinar,[5] though the Bible never actually states this. Nimrod's kingdom included the cities of Babel, Erech, Accad, and perhaps Calneh, in Shinar (Ge 10:10).[6] Flavius Josephus believed that it was likely under his direction that the building of Babel and its tower began; in addition to Josephus, this is also the view found in the Talmud (Chullin 89a, Pesahim 94b, Erubin 53a, Avodah Zarah 53b), and later midrash such as Genesis Rabba. Several of these early Judaic sources also assert that the king Amraphel, who wars with Abraham later in Genesis, is none other than Nimrod himself. Since Accad (Babylonian Akkad) was destroyed and lost with the destruction of its Empire in the period 2200-2154 BCE (long chronology), the stories mentioning Nimrod seem to recall the late Early Bronze Age. The association with Erech (Babylonian Uruk), a city that lost its prime importance around 2,000 BCE as a result of struggles between Isin, Larsa and Elam, also attests the early provenance of the stories of Nimrod. According to some modern-day theorists, their placement in the Bible suggests a Babylonian origin-possibly inserted during the Babylonian captivity.[7] Judaic interpreters as early as Philo and Yochanan ben Zakai (1st century AD) interpreted "a mighty hunter before the Lord" (Heb. : לפני יהוה, lit. "in the face of the Lord") as signifying "in opposition to the Lord"; a similar interpretation is found in Pseudo-Philo, as well as later in Symmachus. Some rabbinic commentators have also connected the name Nimrod with a Hebrew word meaning 'rebel'. In Pseudo-Philo (dated ca. AD 70), Nimrod is made leader of the Hamites, while Joktan as leader of the Semites, and Fenech as leader of the Japhethites, are also associated with the building of the Tower.[8] Versions of this story are again picked up in later works such as Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius (7th century AD). The Book of Jubilees mentions the name of "Nebrod" (the Greek form of Nimrod) only as being the father of Azurad, the wife of Eber and mother of Peleg (8:7). This account would thus make him an ancestor of Abraham, and hence of all Hebrews. think on this, if you can

[@colinlee8593]

We WILL remember them....

[@MrBrucelock]

I have had the great privilege of reciting the Exortation under the Menin gate in Ypres seven times so far. Please get the first line right...."They shall grown not old...."

[@Mindda]

I think you have made a mistake also Bruce Hubbard - "They shall grow not old" (not "grown not old") Not that it matters but if you are to correct someone it is best to get it right!! Which does not detract from the fabulousness of this music - all that really matters

[@ericdaniel323]

Possibly the most "English" piece ever written, performed by a Midwestern American orchestra, under the baton of an Argentinian/Israeli conductor, in remembrance of their long-time music director, a Hungarian. There is something beautiful about that.

[@lauramacgillefhinnein5106]

Humans, the original 'world wide web'. All connected, 'mudbloods' one & all.

[@randifishenfeld]

Laura Mac Gille Fhinnein LOVE YOUR COMMENT

[@davidskeates547]

Music like genius knows no border or country

[@sevenred2803]

Gay.

[@mistorion6141]

...

[@jacquelinegittens8972]

When I was Age 9 and at a new primary school, I filed into the hall for my first assembly. I remember that day so clearly, the smell of chalk and polish, the chatter, the shine of the parquet floor. But mostly, I remember this music coming from a wooden cased gramophone and how the beauty of it almost stopped me dead in my tracks. I'd never been so moved, even if I didn't understand why. And I remember Miss Piper, the school headmistress standing on her platform as entranced by the music as I was. She played it every morning and I looked forward to it every day. Thank you Miss Piper, Head Mistress, Cyril Jackson Primary School, Limehouse 1960. You shared your passion and introduced my raw soul to the eternal wonder of classical music.

[@marymccormack8118]

You would make an amazing writer. Your comment also evokes memories of an innocent childhood. Thank you for sharing. It brought me back to my own school days. 🙏

[@stephennorris6129]

What a different world that was, I remember it. We were poor but proud of England.

[@constantina7396]

One of the few pieces of music that makes me cry. Every. Single. Time. Absolutely gorgeous.

[@vernonstirling4180]

I once cried when our pet British Bulldog (Clementine) was at the end of her life. Now at 88 years of age I also cry when I hear Nimrod being played.

[@susanmason6476]

❤ me too god bless

[@gunterangel]

@@vernonstirling4180 Glad to find you here again, Sir Vernon Stirling, and that you're still with us. I've just read your moving comment from five years ago, which has the most likes in the comment section and where you had told about your wish of 'Nimrod' being played for your farewell music one day. Wish you all the best and still many good days to come. My favorite piece of Elgar's besides his 'Enigma-Variations' is his beautiful oratory, 'The Dream of Gerontius' ! The source for its lyrics is an extented poem by John Henry Newman and it describes the journey of the departed soul of a man named Gerontius into heaven. The name 'Gerontius' refers to the Greek word 'geras', meaning an old man. I hope, you like that one as well. It speaks especially to older people.

[@iansmith1965]

Yes! Me too! It makes me weep uncontrollably! There's something about this extraordinary piece of music that seems to touch my soul every time I hear it.

[@hilaryfairhall1460]

So absolutely perfect ❤

[@kieronunderhill4449]

All these stories are heartbreaking. Theres so much pain in the world, and music like this can ease it, if only just for a minute or two. ❤ to anyone going through it right now.

[@Kestrel1971]

The title, "Nimrod" is a play on words, and a reference to a character in the bible who is described as a "mighty hunter". Elgar went through some dark periods in his life where he considered giving up music. His good friend, Augustus Jaeger helped him through it and convinced him to continue composing. Jaeger is also the the German word for "hunter"; this piece was named for his friend.

[@BuckshotLaFunke1]

Interesting, thanks!

[@timmo491]

Thank you. Fascinating.

[@carolt.7674]

At about 2:40 when a crescendo begins, I think of the joy I have when I see a dear friend after a long time apart.

[@wolframshibuya2693]

“Good friend” lol okay

[@samirafterone]

Thank you! 🙏

[@JohnWilson-mp7xh]

Quintessentially English. God bless our beautiful country

[@burt5057]

To hear this played at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday by 250 musicians of the Guards Division makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and brings tears to my eyes. I am a veteran of 15 years.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

corny

[@trueblue3719]

💂🏻‍♀️💙🇬🇧

[@damon1957ful]

​@@Marcel_Audubon why ?

[@michael_sharples]

Me and my girlfriend went to the 100th anniversary remembrance Sunday in 2018 and I teared up hearing the band play this.

[@Roheryn100]

@@damon1957fulHe doesn’t know “why”. He just wants to troll, because his tiny brain is incapable of hearing music.

[@brianredmond4919]

This piece is basically a good cry set to music.

[@stevelee4952]

This piece of music for me is England, at least the east end of London I was born into 70 years ago. I adore it. I now live high in a mountain in Andalucia, for medical reasons, but those people that live close by hear Elgar and see my cross of St George flag and think I am quite mad. Just a proud English man.

[@gunterangel]

I'm German and as a lover of classical music I first discovered Elgar's 'Enigma Variations', which 'Nimrod' is the most famous and popular part of, when in 1988 German film director Bernhard Sinkel had made ( to great effect) use of the elegic main theme of the 'Enigma Variations' as titles and end titles music for his much-praised mini-series ( about the famous American writer) 'Hemingway', starring Stacy Keach as Hemingway, which was awarded with several Emmys. The main theme alone had moved me so much, that I immediately went and purchased a CD of the entire 'Enigma-Variations' with the Royal Philharmonic. From that on I was hooked on Elgar. I'm from the Saarland, the smallest federal state of Germany, and my love and appreciation of British composers like Edward Elgar, Hubert Parry, Arthur Sullivan, Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughn Williams, William Walton, Benjamin Britten, Frederik Delius, Michael Tippett, Henry Purcell, William Byrd and Orlando Gibbons was further increased, when in 1995 the 'Musikfestspiele Saar', a regular music festival in my home region, had chosen 'British music' as its subject ! One could hear famous works of nearly all the great British composers in dozens of concerts about several weeks. To this day it remains the biggest representation of British music ever performed on the European continent. Even Sir Michael Tippett, one of the last great British composers of the 20th. century and nearly 90 years old at the time, came to Saarbrücken to conduct one of his symphonies in person ! That was really a great honour for our town. He died three years later. I still remember having heard Vaughn-Willams' magnificent 'Sea-Symphony' in concert. An unforgettable event in my life as music lover ! And of course, for the first time live in concert, Elgar's grandiose 'Enigma-Variations' ! No other than HM King Charles III., then still the Prince of Wales, had taken over the patronage of the festival. It was even rumoured, that he would come to personally start the festival, but security and schedule considerations obviously hindered that. But at least we had the British consul, who had read a greeting adress of ( then ) Prince Charles to the audience at the opening concert. Great memories !

[@janicelivett8892]

Thanks for your great appreciation of British classical music! Don’t forget the geniuses from Germany also…I am currently enjoying Bach’s dazzling brilliance.

[@gunterangel]

@@janicelivett8892 Thanks a lot for your nice reply ! Sadly it seems classical music from Great Britain is still somehow neglected in the concert repertoire on the continent and still doesn't get the recognition it deserves imho. Many continental Europeans still are just ignorant of the rich musical tradition of the British islands and the remarkable contribution the British made to the musical repertoire since about five centuries and especially since the Tudor time. Maybe it is the nimbus of Great-Britain as a nation of great discoverers, navigators and scientists, that somehow overshadowed their great contributions in the field of arts and music for the continental Europeans, so that musicwise Great Britain is still a sort of "terra incognita" for many concert goers. But thanks to the internet slowly but surely things are changing in that regard and more and more you can find a symphony from Vaughn-Williams or Elgar in classical concerts. For me the most interesting part of British music history, apart from the late romantic era, is certainly the era from the Tudors and later the 17th. century with names like William Byrd, who bears his nickname "The English Palestrina" for good reasons, and the later Orlando Gibbons and Henry Purcell, who both came like Bach from families of musicians and had fathers, uncles, brothers and sons, who were also composers. This time was surely the first Golden Age of British music and imho Great Britain in that time was THE CENTER of the musical avangarde in the whole of Europe.Their music still sounds remarkably modern in the ears of todays listerners compared to continental composers of the same time period. What I also particularly like about the British music culture is their marvelous and great choir tradition, that goes also back to the Tudor times. I remember hearing an English boy choir in a church concert during our music festival nearly thirty years ago ( please forgive me, that I remember no more, from which town they were ) and they were simply marvelous, their technique, perfect pitch and purity of tone were outstanding; and you will find only very few boys choirs in Germany of such high quality standards, maybe the Thomaner in Leipzig or the 'Domspatzen' in Regensburg. But there is never that sheer number of high-quality-boy-choirs in Germany like in Great-Britain, I guess. Many years ago I listened to an interview with Glenn Gould, where he was asked about his favorite composers ( apart from his lifelong supreme idol Bach of course ) and to my amazement he mentioned Orlando Gibbons as his second favorite besides Bach ! Well, if that is not a good reason to look into Gibbons' music, when such a recommendation comes from the mouth of a genius like Glenn Gould! As said classical music is so much more than "Viennese Classicism", "German Romanticism" and "French Impressionism" or the "National Schools" of Chopin, Mussorgsky, Tschaikovsky or Grieg etc. And British music had certainly its fair share of it. And btw. many of the famous Viennese composers had good and friendly connections to Great Britain. Mozart had a pupil from England, Thomas Attwood, and he was also good friend with the British singer, Nancy Storace, who had sung the Suzanne at the premiere of "La Nozze di Figaro", and her husband, Stephen (1762-1796), who would become the first composer of operas in English language in the Italian style in England, but tragically had died equally as young as Mozart. Both had invited Mozart to travel with them through Great Britain, when they'd return there in 1787, but Mozart had to deny it, because he was not able to leave Vienna at that time for various personal reasons. But only four years later Haydn would make his first and very successful visit to the UK and stayed there for nearly two years, an enterprise he would repeat two years later with even more success, when he wrote his last symphonies for this second journey, and later he'd praise the British to his pupil Beethoven for their great generosity and love for good music, telling him he'd have earned more money during that short three years in the UK than during all his more than thirty years in the service of the Duke of Ésterhazy. Haydn instillted this same admiration for Great Britain in the young Beethoven, who would also held a lifelong admiration for the British for their constitutional monarchy and advanced civil liberties compared to the very opressive situation in the Habsburgian monarchy especially during the Metternich era. He was also repeatedly invited by friends in Great Britain to come over there, but his bad health and increasing deafness made such wide travels sadly impossible for him. He even composed his famous final symphony, the Ninth, as a work of commission by the London Philharmonic Society ! So, without the British maybe there wouldn't have been a "Ninth" ever....! And the youngest of Bach's sons, Johann Christian Friedrich Bach, in the footsteps of Händel, had even emigrated to London and made his career there, where he'd also befriended the very young wunderkind Mozart on the occasion of the first visit of the Mozart family in London. And of course Mendelssohn had made successful travels to Great Britain as well ! Kind regards from Germany !

[@pedrowalker7230]

So good to know that you enjoy British composers music - i am a huge Beethoven and Mozart (ok Austrian) fan but certainly Nimrod from Enigma is one of my favourites favourites

[@panda4109]

Ich grüße dir, mein deutscher Freund. 🇬🇧 🇩🇪

[@gunterangel]

@@panda4109 Thank you so much, and the same to you, my friend ! 🇬🇧❤🇩🇪

[@MrModerate_kane]

I had tears today when this was played by the military band at Prince Phillips funeral. Being ex military, having served my time in peace, I can’t begin to understand a generation in WW1 and WW2, the loss of lives, loss of hope, then the resilience after the blitz and the sacrifices made to get us to VE Day by all nations. , Hearing this makes me proud of the generation leaving us.

[@jasoncheshir7387]

Here here.

[@indytim]

Every time I hear Elgar's Nimrod I always think it should be the British national anthem instead of God Save The Queen. It makes my heart ache and my soul soar the way an anthem should.

[@susanwinder4251]

@@indytim I agree with you. It should be our National Anthem.

[@wayneplatt2357]

I am a daughter of ww2 immigrants, escaping the soviets from lithuania in 1944, running on foot from stukas and bombings, and then coming to america. Bad choice, I'm sure they are rolling in their graves presently. but they were wise and tenacious, they were the greatest generation and i am and will continue to be proud of a generation that showed courage, wisdom and love and pride for country. I have read and watched the british peoples' history.especially during the days of the blitz. If only we here today could have just a crumb of that which i'm afraid will never return. If only people could now learn from them now. God bless us all. For us who have learned from the best, it's extremely sad to be now faced with the worst...

[@anthonyhill7123]

We played this at my wife’s funeral and when I hear it I think of her.

[@marsyl12]

May the God of love and peace whatever His Name keep you safe under His unfailing arms.

[@otautaugallery15]

Anthony, I want this at my funeral too. My heart goes out to you,

[@paulretraint1508]

A beautiful choice. Love and music carry us further than we might ever go alone.

[@vernonstirling4180]

Anthony I am so sorry not to have read you beautiful reply until now, almost at the end of a dreadful 2020. Vern Stirling.

[@amalateesside]

I picked it for my father's funeral tomorrow, him and I loved it ❤️

[@samanthacook8918]

We had this played at my Dad’s funeral 4 weeks ago - just plucked up the courage to listen to it again 😢 amazing piece of music but so emotional.

[@scottallen8950]

Sorry to hear about your dad.

[@joannepoole2434]

Sorry for your loss Samantha. Sending you love and light.

[@LizAdams-y8y]

My husbands favourite piece of music. It will be played at his funeral today.

[@Johnjj-bf8pw]

😢😢

[@TheHARVEY42]

Sorry for your loss. Take care

[@jamesgib1977]

I'm so sorry for you loss 😢

[@stevelee4952]

I have spent the last 20 years in southern Spain, health reasons, I am 71 and brought up on the stories of the blitz from where I was born in east London. This piece of music is, for me, Britain and god bless her.

[@jamespierce1932]

Wow. A woman who can talk to us after 80 years. Good on you, and I’m not even Australian.

[@ianburnley7786]

My dad bless him loved this so much, he was a bloody hero in world war 2, although he'd never say so. Serving in Royal Navy at 17 in 39 and combined operations in 42, like em all heroes who never spoke.

[@kenmargo8262]

Played for the unveiling of the Cenotaph in 1920. The monument in London to the fallen of World War 1. Must have been a very moving occasion.

[@jennylast3149]

It still is.

[@mrtemplar9506]

Even sadder that 19 Years later the World was thrown in to a more Horrific and Brutal Conflict.

[@ritawing1064]

@Anglo Commando and all for imperial vanity. Elgar would not have enjoyed the misuse of his music.

[@petermortimer6303]

I was present when it was played at the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings at ANZAC Cove in Turkey April 25th 1915. It was very definitely a moving occasion.

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@ritawing1064 your naivety perverts your mind.

[@AllPileup]

In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead, short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. - Lt. Col. John McCrae

[@michaelchristian5089]

If Kaiser Wilhelm II had been born without his deformed left arm I think that he may have avoided pursuing the militaristic route, arming Germany to the dangerous degree that he did... ...WW1 would never have happened. the world would be a different place today.

[@desallen2174]

Know most World War 1 poets however, this a first for me. Totally humbled by these beautiful words. My father carried the torch in the Royal Air Force for 22 years. I held that torch for a further 21 years in the Royal Air Force. I am hopeful that one my grandchildren will continue in a proud tradition.

[@christophwinterer1658]

During a long Cathay flight from London to Hong Kong I listened to Nimrod played by the Asian Youth Orchestra 2014. My heart melted as I saw all these Asian youngsters cry or trying to hold back their tears while playing. Incredible music, incredible performance by the AYO!

[@peterlewis3540]

I want this played at my funeral, just a shame i will not be able to hear it. One of the most moving pieces of Classical music.

[@nancyann4309]

But you will from up above.

[@nancyann4309]

Sorry for your loss.

[@sandragallagher7525]

It was played for my father at his, I know in my heart he heard it. Play it Peter!

[@jorgecarman2619]

Wonderful Peter.George, from Buenos Aires

[@1chish]

There is a beautiful choral version of this under the baton of Edward Higginbottom to the words of 'Lux Aeterna' or 'Eternal Life'. Had this played as Mum was committed and while I held it all together for all the day when this started I just let it all go .... Such a powerful piece associated with Remembrance and sacrifice and respect with words that speak of an eternal life after we pass. I am not religious and do not seek to preach but this choral version adds a certain poignancy and possibly the hope that all those who gave their lives or who have just passed on are somehow still with us.

[@jclgate]

This is music for mankind.

[@valeriehenderson241]

Magic ,what a wonderful comment. never fails to reduce me to tears

[@wmo1234]

God's peace to Elizabeth II - Farewell and Thanks for being that rock of stability through so much in the past 70 years of your reign.

[@colletteglennon939]

My parents were my "rock of stability. That vile theif never was.

[@revjys]

I just finished listening to Samuel Barber's "Adagio For Strings," and now this .. Masterpiece after masterpiece!! I am a puddle of tears.

[@jasonlevi7947]

Beautiful choices.

[@ernest73]

Now try Ralph Vaughan Williams - Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis followed by The Lark ascending.

[@revjys]

@@ernest73 Agreed .. Love Tallis' Lark ...

[@davidreid5073]

This was played when both my parents were laid to rest. The most moving piece of music ever. RIP Mum and Dad

[@peterneal1873]

TRULY AWESOME. TRULY SPINE TINGLING.

[@sharonknevett9699]

I've just laid my dear dad to rest and he was carried in to this 😢

[@downwithnazis1]

Elgar was teaching at a girls' school in England. One afternoon, while noodling at the piano after work, he started playing this seemingly endless theme. His wife looked up and said, "Save that one, Eddie. It's pretty."

[@EJP286CRSKW]

Claudia Rosenhouse Raiken She certainly gave him a lot of help of this sort over the years, and he certainly taught at a girls' school, but she didn't call him 'Eddie'.

[@emilysreading]

Eddie baby?

[@robertlund3775]

noy true. She only called him Eddie when they were at the launderette together.

[@Uncle65788]

That's a good one.

[@janyrose]

@@emilysreading two sheds

[@charlesscott7748]

Barenboim is the master of slowing things down to bring out the existential beauty and depth of a composition. No surprise to me this rendition has so many views and likes.

[@fricklefart90]

my dad's favourite piece of music. always will associate it with him. played at his funeral 8 years ago, brought me to tears then, will always. RIP old pal, miss you a ton.

[@ianarnett]

The most wonderful, evocative piece of music. I’m 70 this time and every time I hear it I’m back at my senior school as a first former, nearly sixty years ago. I’m not ashamed to say I still weep a tear when I hear it, for me it is England and Britain. What a composer; yes the world raises Mozart and Beethoven to the zenith, but Elgar managed to condense into music the spirit of this great Country and along with Vaughan Williams they will accompany me to my end. Sadly the beautiful and amazing Country that I was born into has gone, but this music transports me back to when I was young and had so much belief that we’d see a flowering of the youth who would drive us forward, but who would also retain all that was great. Now I’m old I look back and only remember that hope, but Nimrod is still here, still as poignant as it was and still touching our souls.

[@antmedcalf9062]

This perhaps the most moving piece of music thats ever been written It will play me out of this world Thank Elgar

[@Marcel_Audubon]

you and every other lowbrow hick

[@thewesternwonderer9065]

And me!!

[@Syfret1]

Agree

[@claudiasalvihenry8907]

The best !!! I used for my husband funeral !! And I cried all the time!!!!! Barenboim fantastic !!!!

[@facebooker121]

I swear this is a divine heavenly piece. Just like a commenter said its amazing a human can have a piece so moving. So completely out of this world. Every time I hear Nimrod I always think this a theme straight from heaven.

[@facebooker121]

Well by definition not really. Other than that I think humans can have amazing talents, but as for divinity, no. This is just my opinion.

[@polaris69234]

Jasmine Dias I pity you and your inability to fully recognize the genius of your fellow humans. Would you say to Sir Edward Elgar's face "your song is too beautiful, it must have come from a divine source." Despicable.

[@oswaldwellman7806]

polaris69234 . I pity you for your inability to recognize Jasmine's right to express thoughts that differ from your opinions. To me, your attack is despicable. In addition, you contradict yourself by implying humans are divine in your first questioning comment, and then saying it's genius, not divinity in your second, which is precisely what she said ! You're just a bullying moron.

[@johnwaas4864]

Jasmine Dias Well maybe not from heaven, but Nimrod did climb a tall tower and maybe he brought the music from there?

[@davidlawson8679]

+Jasmine Dias well said Jasmine Dias..i had this played at my father"s funeral in 2006..i had too fight back the tears!..i"m English from North London England....Thomas Elgar...a true Englishman 1857-1934

[@thunderc45]

How did he ever conceive this? Utter genius. For all the Classic Rock Albums, CDs and singles I have had in the past 45 years, this remains the greatest "track" ever.

[@DrewJPS]

The back story is not as nice as you want it to be. He was told to write his depression down by a close friend, and that's what you're listening to.

[@thunderc45]

+Drew Layton Was he a Pompey fan?

[@DrewJPS]

Haha. What the fuck? No, but I am. Born and bred. Weird...

[@thunderc45]

You and me both. PUP!

[@DrewJPS]

Indeed, Brother. Pompey beer gardens and jumping off the peer all the way. Stay safe.

[@carolsnook4659]

Anyone who thumb down this has no soul. ... one of the most beautiful and emotional pieces ever written...

[@AleCharlie]

May God help me I love my country the United Kingdom so dearly. This is one of the few symphony's that has the power to reduce me to tears.

[@daibonehead]

Your use of an apostrophe moves me to tears.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

oh, boo hoo hoo, Al!

[@nancy02121]

@@daibonehead Same here 😂

[@mrrsriley]

As soon as this began to play I realised it was a most beautiful rendition of Elgar’s Nimrod. Then I noticed the distinct movements of Daniel Barenboim conducting and I KNEW why it was. I’ve always loved this song anyway, but no one puts more emotion and feeling into a song than Mr. Barenboim! Elgar and Barenboim, what a duo!

[@adamsaint2890]

Edward Elgar managed to make crowd-pleasing music without dumbing it down in any way. This is a serious achievement, in any genre and style, What a brilliant composer.

[@sirtron7259]

no formal training as well, just music straight from the heart

[@thomaswalsh4924]

Fair play, he wrote the macho man randy savages entrance music... legend.

[@frederickcoots2289]

Each time I hear Elgar's Nimrod I want to stand and reach for the heavens. Try it folks. There seems to be an unknown force pulling on the listener to reach upwards. This is one of those few orchestral pieces that has that power. Some stand and break into tears. Sometimes I do, as I'm doing now. But concurrently, I happen to be looking at the woman I love. This would make any grown man cry.

[@frederickcoots2289]

Well, I stopped crying, but the beautiful lady is still nearby. Angels appear and then disappear.

[@RobRoyBoaz]

My friend, you have hit the nail on the head. I never tire of listening to Nimrod, and each time I listen I am amazed that a mere human, a mortal, could write something that is so angelic and straight out of Heaven. A work of pure genius, Divinely inspired. Nimrod does indeed touch every part of one. It brings out one's emotions. When you yourself listen to Nimrod, and look at the woman you love, you have an amazing connection that can only be described as a treasure. If he were alive today, I am sure that Sir Edward would be bowled over by the love that people have for this wonderful opus of his. Continue to cry. Continue to look at the woman yoou love. Continue to love Nimrod. Best wishes my friend.

[@madraven07]

Frederick Coots fantastic words

[@edwardrowland2092]

Frederick Coots n

[@rayb2542]

I get you. It’s wonderful.

[@comicmania2008]

The new Dunkirk movie brought me here! I think this is probably one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written, fantastic!

[@drastocedits2682]

comicmania2008 I was watching the plane scene and went like "hmm isn't this Nimrod?" but I went home and searched for it and it was called "Variation 15". Soon realised it was the same thing HAHA

[@leod-sigefast]

It's got nowt to do with Dunkirk. Elgar wrote this his German boyfriend. I am English and love this song but cannot stand this English nationalism bull that goes with this song. Do Germans and Austrians do it with Mozart and Beethoven? Nope.

[@lesliesmith9299]

The English stood alone against Hitler when France fell - so maybe you should understand the pride the the English felt then and feel now when they remember that they were been basically alone in Europe in 1940 against the forces of fascism and tyranny.

[@grenvilleburrows281]

@@leod-sigefast August Jaeger was not Elgar's "boyfriend". He was his publisher.

[@delamer-6379]

comicmania2008 more rewriting of history, totally bogus it must be British

[@SuzyBriseno]

Elgar wrote that a main theme of these variations is the loneliness of the creative artist. Nimrod captures that loneliness with a melancholy majesty.

[@oswaldwellman7806]

+Suszanne Dozier-Briseno. Read William Mann's authoritative account below. By all accounts Elgar and his wife were very happy and much in love. He also had many good friends, and enjoyed socializing. And didn't he have a dog he loved to walk? I believe he had periods when creativeness dried up, but I don't think he was a person who gave in to depression. Everyone experiences frustration and loneliness sometimes, but I hear nothing resembling loneliness or depression in this grand, triumphant music. It's like a great hymn to all that is good.

[@prettyhowtownprufrock3421]

Actually, there is a strong possibility that their marriage was not blissful. Alice did not like Dorabella visiting the house! Elgar did feel desperately alone most of his early career, and with good reason, his nation despised him, Nimrod was written for the one friend who believed in Elgar when no one else wanted to know - Auguste Jaegar, who was Elgar's agent with Novello and Co.. Jaegar is German for Hunter - hence "Nimrod - the Mighty Hunter". Because it is about a deep personal friendship when his country did not want to know him, I hate Nimrod being used as a patriotic piece.

[@jingshelpmaboab]

I also dislike the way this piece has acquired associations with ideas of empire and glory, rather like Jerusalem, when in reality it was written as a tribute to a staunch friend. Though that's the way it goes with music; Dvorak surely couldn't have had bread in mind when he wrote the "New World" Symphony...

[@jamesalexander5623]

@@jingshelpmaboab Or Bruce Springsteen when he worte "Born in the USA"!

[@philipmitchell7366]

My dads favourite piece of elgar's music played at his funeral. So proud to be his son rip dad .

[@tinamclaughlin1991]

God has the queen now, as well as my grandmother and I hope they get along chatting and remembering simpler times. Tremendous soul and charge you so much for so long and God gave her a full moon to find heaven with.

[@AnonymousCaveman]

One of my favourite songs played at remembrance Sunday. standing there on the parade square at attention almost brings tears to my eyes. "When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today".

[@davidlawson9276]

well said mate!...spot on!

[@lesliesmith9299]

I just watched "Dunkirk" and I believe that part of this piece was played as the British ships were arriving at the beach to pick up the stranded British Army soldiers - very moving.

[@dr.trousers6101]

Leslie Smith near the end aye, although I think it was slowed and in a different tone if I remember correctly

[@mothmagic1]

We will remember them

[@billburnhope2176]

ian currill, I Hope so too, but I know that this will not be so, time and ignorance are taking its toll!

[@terryneale3086]

Makes me proud to be British. I cry every time I hear it.

[@Boadicea17]

Yes I cry every time too💙

[@jeannettevandenheuvel2847]

Same here, I am not British by the way but I do have a lot of love for England.

[@Scriabin_fan]

This doesn’t really have anything to do with being British. But you’re allowed to feel whatever you feel, I just thought it was a bit strange that it evokes patriotism/nationalism when the piece itself has nothing to do with that.

[@wendyesposito8751]

Me too - it has to be one of THE most beautiful pieces of music ever

[@wightman1525]

@@Scriabin_fan True, but it evokes so much of England, especially to those of us away from "home".

[@ginatasichaffin9468]

R.I.P Prince Philip - Duke of Edinburgh.. God bless :(

[@shirleyanne6573]

They played it at the funeral

[@pamelamunro8918]

Beautiful music and very emotive

[@marjorieroche4923]

yes indeed What a GUY ! best music and a veery special funeral

[@GOODGRAYCAT]

I am deeply impressed with how Both The Queen & Prince Philip set the standard of leadership Devoid of self-absorbed ego. They were/are all about Service to Others, & to their Country~and That is why The World Loves and Respects them so deeply.

[@evie1887]

I’ve heard this beautiful piece of music before. But finally found out what it was called after watching Prince Phillip funeral. You are not human if you feel no emotion listening to this masterpiece

[@fredgrove4220]

The most beautiful piece of music ever written.

[@alanpeel3450]

YEP

[@tdgtto]

I ain't from the UK, yet I still cry from this amazing composition... This rendition is absolutely amazing, it sent me into tears, that I feel like flooding my entire house with it.

[@Nello353]

This music is not only for Brits it is to be relished by all.

[@tdgtto]

@@Nello353 True

[@valerieskelton5960]

I think that’s how music should be listened to, let it fill your head and drown out everything else.

[@thejudge-kv2jk]

Was a pallbearer at my grandads funeral last year and he chose this as his last song. Was proud to help him on his final journey as he was there for every stage of mine. Rip. Gone but never forgotten.

[@lesyuen372]

Goodbye Mum. Respect to you and yours for your fortitude and sacrifice. You were the golden generation who gave everything and showed us how to stand up. We will never see your like again.

[@samkelly9996]

I'm no musician but I do know a beautiful piece of music when I hear it this is absolutely gorgeous.

[@Fercough]

Do try Lark Ascending.

[@loge10]

​@@FercoughAgreed.

[@joeluden]

This was played at my grandfather's funeral and was his favourite composition by Elgar. Granddad (Fred Brittin) was a remarkable man. He was in the 9 Parachute Squadron of the Royal Engineers in WWII, moving back through France as the German frontline advanced. Part of their job was to get dropped in by air then blow up bridges, render railway lines useless, and generally make it as hard as possible for the Germans to advance by whatever means necessary. He broke his hip once due to a bad landing from a jump but when healed he was soon back in the thick of it. Granddad even survived Dunkirk. Lord only knows what he saw there. On returning home to Cobham after the war was over he had to abandon the city job he'd had in London before the war (no doubt he had PTSD, undiagnosed and unheard of back then) on the advice of his doctor. The doctor suggested plenty of fresh air was what he needed, so he changed career to become a gardener. Not just any gardener, he was head gardener at the local manor house and always kept the extensive grounds immaculate. His own garden was a source of much pride for him, and breathtakingly beautiful throughout the seasons. His other passion was motorcycles, and he rode his well into his 70s. He and I would spend hours talking about bikes, and he'd marvel at whatever I was riding at the time when I rode out of London to go and visit him and Gran. How I miss them both so very much. But this music brings the memories flooding back. I still have his medals and the thing he was the most proud of-his red beret. God bless you Granddad. Thank you for everything.

[@scottallen8950]

A beautiful tribute to your grandfather. Sounds like an amazing man.

[@SaraJeans0]

The most beautiful song I have ever listened to; brings me to tears every time.

[@jacko14031980]

Beautiful peace of music, it brings a tear to my eye and brings back memories of my dad who died when I was only six years old, that was 38 years ago. Rest in peace Dad

[@charlottepriestnall6030]

This song has to be one the most beautiful pieces of classical music ever written…it’s just stunning and so emotive! My absolute favourite and will always have me in floods of tears!

[@marymccormack8118]

Its impossible to explain how a piece of music can be so powerful and yet evoke such emotion. Wonderful. ❤

[@philowen969]

Totally wonderful moving music so proud to be a Englishman and a veteran, and makes me think of are beautiful queen rip .

[@caroliott8882]

Nimrod, especially Barenboim's rendition, is a blanket that wraps you in comfort at a time of sorrow and loss. Thank you Maestro Barenboim!

[@CaroleDowell]

Yes, I want this played at my Funeral. I have loved this since I was quite young,when my Parents played recordings of it. I find it very moving, and usually have the tissues out, when listening.

[@HDAviationVideos]

I never get tired of listening to this piece! Such a great performance.

[@scipioafricanus3018]

How very true.

[@carrieboultby7516]

It's beautiful :-)

[@timwaywell]

me neither

[@abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz229]

I found this song from the game called > Pixel soldier : The great war. You guys must played this game is avaiable on android and ios i think?, Sorry the developer said to me that i have to recomended this game for you who wanted to play the game.

[@raymondpeplow2710]

Bravo man

[@davelee8961]

Interesting how Elgar composed the Enigma Variations in 1898-99, and how this variation seems to anticipate the 20th Century perfectly, with all of its beauty, sadness, horror, joy. Easily one of the most beautiful pieces of all time.

[@karenbuddmusic]

I had visited this page and listened to this piece just hours before hearing about Queen Elizabeth II's passing. It was like a premonition!

[@clairefuzipeg1983]

My dad's last friend has just died. He always asked for this to be played at his funeral. We were struggling to remember but I grasped it from my memory. We will send him off the way he wanted.

[@darrellphilip3295]

Some of the most beautiful music ever written

[@oldedwardian1778]

I am a Brit and so is my wife, both born in the Black Country where our modern world began. We have lived in the USA FOR OVER 50 years and it has changed not necessarily for the better. My son was also born in England but my daughter is the only foreigner born in Cook County IL, just joking. We are all still staunchly British and are as close to our families in England as if we had never left. Music like this brings tears to our eyes and we sing it at the tops of our voices. When the Queen died, we learned it first from our 17 years old granddaughter who called us from school where, she said everything was at a standstill and everyone was watching TV. I found my wife and told her, we hugged and cried.

[@sarahroberts4004]

I lost my only daughter to Cancer iat 12. I watched her face away. This music helps me to let some of The intense sadness out. Right now with the Corona killing so many it feels like the right music.

[@kevinpierce3458]

Sarah Roberts so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine the pain you must have gone through and continue to. She’s now in eternal light and free of pain and fear.

[@astonmartin4360]

So so sorry for your lose.You have my sympathy.I lost my wife at 43 and my son at 21.This beautiful music makes me smile and helps me remember them.It was my dads favorite and we played it at his funeral.Bless you.

[@chrisholland7367]

I'm truly sorry for your loss.

[@ridiculousignoramus]

I am so very sorry. Of course there can be no removal of pain, but I believe that music, beyond its obvious aesthetics has a physiological effect on living tissue. Plant effects have been studied, and also sonic applications for gallstones, etc. I think that the blended wave/beam quality (as with the photon) passes through all human tissue causing varying responses based on intensity, pitch, so on. Long story not quite so long, certain patterns of music must aide in healing especially where the cause of suffering is stress, loss of homeostasis, etc and restoring tissue equilibrium. Not functioning as drug medication, by forcing an effect, but by restoring the natural homeostasis. Plain English, this piece restores the nervous system by stimulating that which is depressed, by relaxing that which is overtaxed, allowing proper blood flow, electrical flow etc. Sorry if I’m coming across mental, but my attempt is to reassure you that nature has built in healing mechanisms, and there is genuine relief to be had, not purely psychological comfort, but real help, designed in the laws of this beautiful earth, however despoiled by greed. Hope you find some scrap of help in this.

[@vernonstirling4180]

Sarah, I love your strength to write of losing your daughter. I am a fallen man from my early religion, after a stint in the Royal Australian Navy in Korea religion left me however I will say to you; "God only takes the best"

[@lilwen4063]

Elgar was very much self taught as a musician but what masterpieces he produced. How proud we can be to be British and claim him as one of our own!

[@jessicamerriman2336]

This piece is music coded to life. The slow majesty of birth, rising to a crescendo in life’s prime and gradually, but descending to a farewell of a life well lived.

[@billobrien2261]

Well said!

[@olatbjrntvedt3008]

Sums it up, yes:)

[@jessicamerriman2336]

@@Saudade54 thank you. 🙂

[@clairehmill1]

Thank you Elgar for writing this most wonderful piece of music, I cry every time I hear it ❤️😢

[@sericunda1]

Who found this song after Prince Philips funeral I did in tears lovely

[@biffalo2993]

Wonderful, Evocative & Poignant ....... Bravo Elgar - Bravo England. God Bless this cultured civilisation and all it stands for.

[@akashdeo6228]

+Peter Smith Better than Nicki Minaj any day

[@somersetuk525]

We will never forget..god bless Freedom.

[@oldedwardian1778]

I am a PROUD BRIT who has lived in the USA for some 52 years, this music holds a very special place in my heart as I was born and raised in the Midlands of England, in Worcestershire where Elgar was born barely 20 miles from where I was born I have a second strong connection to this performance as 32 of those years were spent living in NW Suburban Chicago. I had the great privilege of hearing the mighty CSO in person many times. Elgar and the CSO what more could a mere human being want.

[@MrLordBear]

Heard this beautiful song on the radio just after the announcement that Her Majesty the Queen had died.

[@NigelFortune]

So beautiful. I'd like this piece to be the national anthem of England.

[@organbuilder272]

+Nigel Fortune There is a poem written and spoken with this music as background. Find it please and post it. It is beyond beautiful.

[@planetsoccer99]

+robert shaw Why desecrate this sacred music by putting it as the background? no thanks...

[@organbuilder272]

+planetsoccer99 You ask, rightly, why desicrate this sacred music. Well. It has been done. It exists. It has existed for 50 years or more. It is on a recording that was played on a radio show in LA by a brit. He devoted the show to all things british, comedy, music, music. This is the music without the words. Try listening to the words with this music as backround. That's all I said.

[@jerste]

+robert shaw I saw If _ by Kipling blended with Nimrod, a nice fit. Is there any other original text? Thanks

[@43amaranth]

+Nigel Fortune It is lovely, also listen to ..I vow to thee my country...similar music....

[@KarenNangle]

Played at the closing of my darling partner’s funeral 4 weeks ago. We both admired Barenboim. A sad but uplifting piece taking my darling up and away.

[@dowahditty69]

Barenboim is a "Master!"...his conducting of this is visually Chilling!

[@arveecee]

For as much as I absolutely Love this and the literal hundreds of times I've heard it, sought it and immersed in it, it must be recognized and appreciated that he has managed to evoke and express a very singular tone and temper of something here the likes of something no one else to date has quite managed. Others have reached and sweetened the Ear, touched the Heart, stirred the Stomach and steeled the jaw with essences of their renditions, but this is a much more complete experience. There is a grace, longing, breath, colour and absolute energy and Power in what's delivered here that moves directly into and through you - fills and raises every cell, then so tear-inducingly sweetly, brings you to perfect rest.

[@afgowling57]

My wife and I went to Andre Reir concerts in Buffalo September 2018 and Toronto September 2024. We were thrilled both times, in Toronto we had floor seats and waltzed to the Blue Danube. Well my wife waltzed...I stumbled....😁😁😁🤗😊