Mark from the States Reacts to Elgar's Nimrod...So Emotional. US Marines

[@jeffthomas2364]

Hi mark. Ah Nimrod The Hunter, one of my favourite pieces of all time. I am moved by it every November during The remembrance service at The Cenotaph but I have to say one of the times it really moved me was when The Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Armed forces were all assembled on the lawn of the quadrangle at Windsor Castle for the funeral of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, it was a glorious sunny warm spring day and they all played this beautifully whilst we were awaiting The Queens arrival. Mark whether it’s His Majesty’s Band of The Royal Marines or The Presidents Band of The Marines it doesn’t matter, it’s all the same, we are one. This was absolutely beautiful and they didn’t fail to move me. This piece always makes me think of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as well as all the war generation and their sacrifice. Great video, yes a bit emotional but it gave me a lift. Yes a live chat would be cool.👍👌

[@MarkfromtheStates]

So true all of it... Thanks Jeff

[@mayajrj]

@jeffthomas2364 You read my though about prince Philip's funeral I Vow to Thee My Country and Nimrod

[@MrBulky992]

If I'm not mistaken, this was played at short notice on the evening of the day the late Queen died by an American orchestra in the Royal Albert Hall in lieu of the programme they were intending to play at the BBC Proms but was cancelled. There is a KZbin video of their performance.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

This was emotional. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX2mmIyZp9dlbZo

[@songsmith31a]

Totally right when remembering how HM The Queen had her Guards band play the US National Anthem in response to and recognition of the 9/11 tragedy.

[@1chish]

That was the renowned Philadelphia orchestra. The played our National Anthem and then the most beautiful rendition of Nimrod. Well remembered.

[@reggriffiths5769]

@@songsmith31a I very much doubt that our now late Queen had anything to do with the decision. Allied militaries and bands normally employ "courtesies" to honour each other at certain times as e.g. 9/11. A year or two ago the US Marines gave a display performance at Horse Guards Parade and the same courtesies came into play. Similarly, it's only a few years ago that the RM Band performed at several venues in New York and elsewhere in the US, playing a whole selection of American ballads, and it was at one of our famous military festivals that the RM Band performed a comple theme of American music.These courtesies have been common practice for a great many years, only now, with the advent of platforms like KZbin etc, more and more of these displays are reaching the outside world that was not available more than five or six years ago.

[@reggriffiths5769]

Hahahahaha - your phraseology really amused me; I'm fairly sure our late Queen didn't die by an American orchestra!!!

[@DanielFerguson-l2u]

Mark, Dan from Yorks here. Ah Nimrod , said to have been one of our late Queen's favourite pieces of music. It was most respectfully played by the Philadelphia Orchestra on the day she died at the Albert Hall, replacing the published programme. It still moves me for that. It is East Cheap as you first said it i e cheat as not expensive (the name means shops, the main shopping street in old London). The word is frieze, just like freeze i e frozen, but means a carved image, especially a story telling or repeat series, usually along the upper parts of a room or building. The carved war reliefs on Trajan's column in Rome is such a running frieze that spirals up the column illustrating the wars in a series of images, including showing the Emperor several times, indicating the changes in time & place a bit like a cartoon strip. The Parthenon Marbles are another famous example from ancient Athens.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Awesome thanks Dan

[@Tj-ot4jp]

This Piece, if there ever was a piece to say this is England, this is it.

[@ofr.190]

Goodness that Timpanist is on POINT!!

[@angelabushby1891]

One of my favourites

[@EileenHall-j9f]

I’ve just discovered you. Being an older British woman, I’m just getting my head round social media, I’ve just subscribed. I really like your presentation, you give Americans a good name. Music really does feed the soul. It’s nice to hear wonderful music in isolation.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Love this. Welcome aboard! Thank you

[@christinewilkinson2424]

This is played on Remembrance Sunday at the Centoptaph, here in England. Its always deeply moving to see the veterans in attendance It brings it home to you the sacrifices that were made.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Yes so good

[@daveloboda1769]

I am a huge fan of Elgar's music and this is my favourite piece. Wonderful.

[@no-oneinparticular7264]

My daughter played the violin, and at age 14, she was in our Northamptonshire youth orchestra playing this piece at the London Albert Hall. A stunning piece of music, and I still have the cd of them in concert, and a photo of the orchestra, with her and the rest of the string section, holding their instruments and bows up, to applause . So much nostalgia for me from my daughters 1990 performance. Thanks for this music video.

[@geoffw8565]

Nice comments Mark ! Remembrance Sunday in Whitehall is where it really hits me emotionally ! You should get yourself there one November !

[@davidgriffiths9156]

Elgar always manages to conjure up images of the green, rolling hill and fields of the British countryside.

[@JJ-of1ir]

A fine performance Mark. Thank you. Love this piece of music. As you are 'under the weather' again with your shoulder today, would you consider going once more to The Last Night of the Proms 2010 (same conductor as 2012) so that you can listen to 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. We want you to know, while you're a bit low and in pain, that we are thinking of you and wishing you well. This song might do that. It will also show you glimpses of the people gathered all around the UK who sing their hearts out on this night. So this is a big UK singsong from us to you Mark. All the best.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

I will thanks JJ

[@kaamkmca]

Sublime!

[@claregale9011]

Hi Mark , nothing wrong with just having a quiet night in sometimes we all need to just be still .This piece of music stirs the soul and I always tear up thinking of my dear mum . 😊

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Absolutely

[@AnnMcKinlay-zp2ef]

Every year, when they start to play this at the Remembrance Day Service , at the Cenotaph, at Whitehall, I start to cry and continue to cry till the Service and March Past are finished.

[@scousedavies565]

I am one of the veterans who parade at the cenotaph every Remembrance day we all look forward to Nimrod. In fact, in my group, (Aden Veterans) we always comment with "Ooh. They are playing our favourite".

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Yes so good

[@johnbarrett9673]

Stunning ....🇬🇧

[@primalengland]

Nimrod was my Dad’s. Favourite piece. He was a teacher and musician who taught so many local kids to love music. He died 50 years ago when I was 20. I can’t listen to this without bawling my eyes out. I am now, but it’s a happy bawl. 😊

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Thank you for sharing this

[@AnnMcKinlay-zp2ef]

😥😥😥

[@bill-wd7zs]

Nice rendition, that piece always gets to me.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Thanks for listening

[@alanrobinson8518]

Well done Marines - a great version.

[@robertjohnsontaylor3187]

Although no words, this is an anthem, to remind us of those brave warriors that died for their country in the pursuit of peace. I feel the need to stand and bow my head every time I hear this. Nimrod, the mighty hunter.

[@1chish]

There is a beautiful vocal version called 'Lux Aeterna' which has been done by choirs large and small. The words mean 'Eternal life' which is what I am sure all those thousands of heroes are enjoying now. It is highly evocative and, unlike many vocal versions of classical pieces, it adds a certain something to what Elgar wrote all those years ago. Worth a listen.

[@Someloke8895]

I seem to recall several years ago, there was a special outdoor Orchetral performance combined with an airshow where the Orchestra played Nimrod as Spitfires, Hurricanes and other Battle of Britain aircraft did flybys over head. Awe inspiring.

[@1chish]

I was at a 'Son et Lumiere' just outside Swindon some years ago and at the start a Spitfire did rolls and circuits as the orchestra played some very 'British' music. It was like an outside 'Last night of the proms' but with a Merlin background. And then after it was dusk there was a laser show on the front of a huge house while the orchestra played RAF music (655, Dam Busters etc) and just as they broke into the RAF March a Hercules came over at roof top height with the tail down and 4 airmen on the back with light sticks waving in time ... Lump in the throat evening for an ex Crab.

[@ritaet]

Love this song, it makes me well up 😢 mainly because it’s played a lot around National Service of Remembrance here in the UK. Beautiful song, thank you for sharing Mark xx

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Thanks for listening

[@ScrapYardDog64]

Done with the Greatest Respect, thank you.❤

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Much appreciated...such a moving piece of music

[@jkpole]

BEAUTIFUL... Those MARINES are SUPERB

[@stevegee7593]

I was lucky to be able to walk the Malvern Hill I felt that I could hear Elgar's music. He lived near the hills and would walk them when ever he could.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Very cool...thanks Steve

[@masterofparsnips5327]

Beautiful.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Yes

[@jimharrison748]

Mark, thank you. Beautiful!

[@DavidJohnson-rj8zu]

Beautiful rendition 😢and one feels like saying at the end, At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them, We Will Remember Them. On Thursday 6th June 2024 The King and Queen will be attending the commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. 🧐

[@CarolWoosey-ck2rg]

Beautiful, gets me every time- so apt for remembrance played at the cenotaph- see you enjoyed it mate! Right , some advice re the shoulder- please try not to overuse it Mark or it will get worse and you'll end up in surgery like me! Need physio mate - changing the subject a tad, just listened to Darrens latest Drone zone- fab ! Anyway a great review, love to the mogs and take it easy,ok? X 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿( don't mind your mug haven't seen mine! Don't intend to inflict it on the innocent!! 😁)

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Thank you Carol

[@CarolWoosey-ck2rg]

​@@MarkfromtheStatesno probs -

[@grahamfrear9270]

One of my favourites. Beautifully played 👏

[@jjwatcher]

Excellent rendition.

[@1chish]

Mark you will recall this from the Cenotaph service yopu watched. This is played by the Guards Massed Band before the King and Royal Family come out to their positions. That occasion and THIS music just sets the mind in awe of those who gave their todays that we might have our tomorrows. We will remember them.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Oh yes love it

[@Peter-eu7wp]

Fun fact, Edward Elgar was a big Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (Wolves) fan and would often cycle the 50 odd miles from his home in Malvern UK to Wolverhampton to watch the game.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

That is a fun fact

[@goldenlabradorskye]

Loved this. Beautiful.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikdavies5027]

I know how you feel, Mark. I strained my back the other day and, being slightly over 21, it takes a while!! (When I finally drop off the perch this is one piece of music that I would like played, quite uplifting!)

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Get better my friend

[@PaulBrown-kg3qw]

One of my favourite pieces of music. Written about his dog 'Nimrod" walking across the moors.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

So good

[@MrBulky992]

I fear you are misinformed! Elgar liked dogs but never had one called Nimrod. The name is allusion to "Nimrod, the mighty hunter" from the Old Testament. This music is taken from Elgar's "Enigma Variations". Each variation depicts or is connected with one of his friends. One such friend was A E Jaeger. "Jaeger" is similar to the German word for "hunter". Hence, this variation is subtitled "Nimrod". Perhaps you are thinking of another of the variations which depicts Dan, a bulldog belonging to one of his friends, falling into a river and scrambling out again. Elgar liked woodland scenery and the Malvern Hills but he didn't live close to any moors.

[@catherinewilkins2760]

Hahaha.

[@LordRogerPovey]

@@MrBulky992 The dog's was a bulldog called Dan!

[@MrBulky992]

​​​@@LordRogerPoveyYes, I've seen his gravestone in a garden in Hereford off the Cathedral Close. He was owned by Dr Sinclair, organist of the Cathedral. There's a statue of him by the river near where he fell in. That's Dan I'm talking about, not Dr Sinclair.

[@OC35]

Played this at my mother's funeral at her request a year ago.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Special

[@1chish]

Mum never requested it but I had the vocal version 'Lux Aeterna' played at her commital. The vocal crescendo just destroyed me after keeping it all together for most of the day. Still does. Mum was religious and it seemed right I wished her 'Eternal Life' ....

[@ellesee7079]

Wow, late to the party today! Heard you mention the gym - might I suggest the recumbent bike - nice easy introduction and comfy position with your shoulder 😊 Ah, Nimrod. Stirring stuff! Elgar will do that to you! Look after yourself, and no over doing it! 🤗

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Thanks for the tips!

[@Steve-gc5nt]

Beautiful

[@archiebald4717]

Beautiful!

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Yes

[@mariannesyrett7759]

Hi Mark, I am currently reading the same book and the next chapter is that one 👻 Also my favourite piece of music is Nimrod, especially when played by the massed bands of HM forces at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday

[@MarkfromtheStates]

You must of been the one I heard to stop flipping pages

[@MarkfromtheStates]

So true

[@mariannesyrett7759]

@@MarkfromtheStates who me?😂😂

[@Aubury]

Elgar was a world class English composer, a rare enough event in his time. Do try another work, Sospiri .. Both works at the ends of scale delight.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

thank you

[@Noseypoke-mr7th]

"NIMROD" ALLWAY PLAYED AT THE CENOTAPH ON REMEMBERENCE SUNDAY in HONOUR OF THE FALLEN IN ALL WARS

[@timstoker]

My Dad was a classical music fan, especially "martial" music. I remember once he played the 1812 Overture whilst talking me through the various scenarios that run through it. Dad's favourite was ANYTHING by The Royal Marine band. When they played, we were always silent. Or else.!! I think "Land of hope and glory" was his favourite hymn. It should be England's National Anthem imho.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇸

[@MarkfromtheStates]

They are very good

[@timstoker]

@@MarkfromtheStates as are the USMC band/orchestra 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇸

[@catherinewilkins2760]

Lovely

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Yes agreed

[@HankD13]

True luxury - not HAVING to get up and do something. Bliss. I used to walk around the city in my IT days, and have seen the camels, and never thought anything more about it - over Eastcheap Records now. Always loved Nimrod, and Elgar in general. I need to go to bed early since my body aches all over from the physical work it is just no longer used to! Have another wine!

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Yes great idea

[@PerryCJamesUK]

I once sneezed too hard and hurt my neck. I was in a brace and everything. Massive wimpy injury.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Lol ah yes that does happen

[@danieldunne68]

Why am I walking around singing Mark from the States? 😂

[@MarkfromtheStates]

I don't know but don't stop

[@Aoife24601]

Nimrod is beautiful, very moving and they played it well. Its funny im a huge fan of sea shantys and ive found the best renditions are by the US Navy Glee Club Choir. They just do it so beautifully and enthusiastically ..even if their accents on certain words are...😂😂..well not Cornish....they are really fantastic. Ive seen this band before... Presidents Own Marine Orchestra isnt it? Whoops u sed that. Excellant. Anyone who isnt emotional at Nimrod has no soul. Edit.....you have my deepest sympathy shoulderwise...about 10 years ago I fell of my horse and my shoulder came out completely...there are no words...plus! Doctors lie😂😂 he said to me..."im going to.pop your shoulder back in..it will hurt just a little...🤬🤬just a little bit!!! My god ...there are no words...none except AGGHHHHHHH!!!! 😊

[@MarkfromtheStates]

LOL I can imagine the colorful language coming out

[@maureenjones7222]

You can injure yourself doing the most mundane things Mark. Get well soon lovely. ❤

[@MarkfromtheStates]

So true!

[@reggriffiths5769]

Nimrod is quite an ethereal and emitionally charged piece of music with highs and lows and sense of power and drama. I've heard some orchestrations that have alomst brought tears to my eyes, and some that were lackluster. I have to say that this performance - compared with the Bands of the Royal Marines - was almost mechanical, and none of expected emotion was there. To me, it was a group of musicians each playing an instument (the occasional shrill squeak of the clarinets was off-puting, and no body in the bassline) rather than an orchestral union where all the instuments blend as one. If this was the only recording I had, I would enjoy it, but I'm afraid Sir Edward Elgar is missing from it. Sorry if it offends, but if you compare it with other bands or orchestras you'll see what I mean.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Not offended

[@EastLancashireJohn]

I would recommend listening to this being played by a symphony orchestra, one with a fine string section.

[@reggriffiths5769]

@@EastLancashireJohn I completely agree!

[@colinmiller5502]

Go to 12.00 to avoid the rambling

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Great idea...I should start putting that at the beginning

[@Lemmi99]

This is one of my favourite pieces of music. When I was working in the US and felt homesick I would listen to this and it would remind me of home and I could envisage flying over the countryside. The nearest I've found is this kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWKpknSVqchmmq8. Elgar lived in Malvern and the countryside must have inspired him.

[@cfjooijevaar1]

O, nice! But I prefere the performance of the massed bands of HM Household Division at the Cenotaph at White Hall London on Remembrance Sunday each year in November.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

I totally get it

[@ElunedLaine]

Eastcheap = East-cheep and frieze = freeze - Lyn

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Thank you Lyn

[@davidwatts-hw2dh]

Some soldiers hold an instrument, not a gun. WHO makes the better sound?

[@MarkfromtheStates]

I guess it would depend where I was

[@georgeamery]

They played it well but for an 80 year Englishman it lacked the atmosphere of the Cenotaph in London as I believe that's the only place its played.

[@valeriejackson7659]

This was a beautiful rendition but it needs to be played outdoors as you say. When it builds up to the crescendo it's so powerful and makes the hairs on your neck stand up. It fills the air with such wonderment. A few years ago my husband and I were part of the crowd at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. As the massed bands played Nimrod a lone leaf fluttered down in front of me. Between the music and the symbolic fallen leaf (a life lost) I was reduced to tears. It was my birthday that day, 11th Nov, but I wouldn't have missed that day for the world.

[@weedle30]

Ohhh that’s just about finished me off Mark!! 😨😥😥 as moving as that wondrous piece of music is - it just made me blub 🙁 The reason why is because earlier today, I was watching pieces in a documentary about Thailand - the rescue of baby “orphaned” (because their parents have been shot dead) gibbons and abused elephants and these creatures being placed in sanctuaries where loving humans care for them and try to rehabilitate them so they can be returned to their rightful homes in the forests. I then watched a tv programme about the people involved in the dreadful Post Office scandal and what had happened etc and that again made me 😰 but mostly fume! With the gibbons, wicked hunters will enter the forests at the time when they know there will be a baby gibbon ready for the “picking” and shoot its mother and the rest of the troupe that will try to defend the attack - the baby gibbon will be taken away and “farmed out” as a tourist’s photo opportunity of cuddling a gibbon, an animal that should have been living with its mother and family group for all of its young life! The sanctuary owner said that it is usual that 6 to 7 adult gibbons would be killed, so the hunter can capture that one baby from the arms of its dead mother 😰😡. Then Seeing the photos on my tv screen, of a baby gibbon wearing a stupid costume and a stupid hat, in the arms of an even more stupid human made me sad/angry. It is not one bit cute or funny. With the elephants - humans being “cruel” to them is just a massive understatement and a joke. Majestic beasts that have been whipped with chains to make them obey, elephants whose backs are “broken” because of the weight of the number of tourists that have sat at one time in a box on their backs, tourists having a jolly fun “elephant ride”…..😪 So having subjected myself to shedding silent tears, I then listen to the USA Marines playing Nimrod - and I was “gone”! Your “boys” did it justice and I just lost it completely! 😨😄

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Ugh ya that would do it

[@coot1925]

Jesus Mark, your intros are getting longer and longer. 12 minutes?

[@MarkfromtheStates]

LOL

[@fossy4321]

Crikey mark I know you like long intros but 12 minutes into a 21 minute video before you hear a note played is a bit extreme .

[@MarkfromtheStates]

LOL I suggest you use the slider to fast forward. Somedays I can't help myself

[@whispernature]

Hi Mark, I love this piece of music and was my late Mum's favourite when we watched Remembrance Sunday services together. Can i suggest you react to kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4PGqIV8hNd2pskfeature=shared it was beautifully done at The Festival of Remembrance, you won't be disappointed. xx

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Amazing

[@frankdoyle9066]

Mark, for God's sake when will you Americans realize what we Europeans have known for a long time. You take time off work to get better. Most British and European companies would send you home if you turned up to work obviously not well.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

Lol ya don't think that's happening

[@andrewwells3367]

Sorry, too restrained, not enough dynamic contrast.

[@MarkfromtheStates]

No need to be sorry

[@DGLUK1]

Technically, quite proficient but, emotionally, very bland. Compare to ANY British orchestra and you'll be astounded at the difference.