Menuhin kids mourn the Queen

Menuhin kids mourn the Queen

News

norman lebrecht

September 15, 2022

With a moving performance of Nimrod, in a string orchestra setting.

Comments

  • Gustavo says:

    Nice – but why is it always “Nimrod”?

    No matter who dies.

    This music belongs to August Jäger!

    “My dear Jaeger,

    Here is the “Grecian ghost which unburied remains inglorious on the plain” or on the hills.

    I hope the house-hunting is over satisfactorily and that you have peaceful prospects. Let me know.

    Our woods look lovely but decidedly damp and rheumaticky – unromantic just now.

    Since I’ve been back I have sketched a set of Variations (orkestry) on an original theme: the Variations have amused me because I’ve labelled ’em with the nicknames of my particular friends – you are Nimrod. That is to say I’ve written the variations each one to represent the mood of the ‘party’ – I’ve liked to imagine the ‘party’ writing the var: him (or her) self & have written what I think they wd. have written – if they were asses enough to compose – it’s a quaint idee & the result is amusing to those behind the scenes & won’t affect the hearer who ‘nose nuffin’. What think you?

    Much love & sunshine to you.

    Ed. Elgar.”

    [Letter from Elgar to Jaeger – 1898]

  • Carl says:

    Why pay tribute to this family of freeloaders who is mooching off the state, and not paying any inheritance taxes in the process?

    I fail to understand how a modern democracy can abide by all of this nonsense.

    • Iain says:

      The arts world is full of “freeloaders”, if you really must be so cynical about it, and at this particular time. Glass houses and stones…..

      Unfortunately, there’s no shortage of “nonsense” in the arts world either. A significant proportion of its output is of no consequence whatsoever.

    • MJA says:

      @Carl – just leave it at “I fail to understand”.

    • Maria says:

      Is this really the time and place to ridicule our grief and putmr British way of doing things? Do you live in the UK? Why if you don’t like it? This post sadly says more about you than those of us whom you see as fools. Fine, obviously you’re not a monarchist as others are, but King Charles will be a great king, stability for as long as he lives, and Wiliam to follow on. We have a democraric Parliament. We vote for our MPs who work on our behalf after one has voted. But do we want 14 presidents as per USA to govern our country? Don’t think so. Also no one is forced to live in the UK against their will. Plenty of EU countries with presidents where you can enjoy their rule!

  • soavemusica says:

    A most appealing Nimrod, truly, more so than with many senior orchestras.

  • kaf says:

    1) Fine line between tribute and self-promotion. A little bit of both in the video.

    2) Britain remains the champions of the world of silly costumes.

    There is footage of one of the vigils guarding the casket keeling over from exhaustion.

    That’s because it’s all these infirmed old men who love getting dressed up and playing knight of the round table or whatever silly title that comes with their silly costumes.

    3) The royal family’s obsession with silly costumes extends to military uniform.

    First of all, Charles wears the uniform of a “Field Marshall”. Pshaw, in what war did he fight in where he was even a foot soldier, much less a field marshall?

    Second of all, allowing Andrew to wear military uniform on the pretext of keeping vigil for his mother’s casket is a slap in the face of the military.

  • Adam Stern says:

    Yes, beautifully played…and, I think the piece is even more beautiful when taken at Elgar’s specified tempo of 52 to the quarter/crotchet.

  • 440 says:

    Nice in D for strings

  • Michal Kaznowski says:

    The finest playing – thanks for posting.
    Yehudi always spoke of the Queen fondly

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