Nimrod from The Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar - arranged for Organ

The Enigma Variations (or "Variations on an Original Theme" Op. 36) is one of the most popular orchestral pieces by the English composer Edward Elgar. Elgar's most passionate variation from the suite is the one called "Nimrod" which was the knickname of Elgar's close friend A. J. Jaeger, a music editor and publisher. The Nimrod variation is slow and deeply emotional, and for that reason it is often played as a stand-alone piece of music in solemn church services, particularly at funerals and memorial services. Another organ arrangement of this piece was played on TV during the funeral of Pat Butcher, a character in the British Soap Opera "Eastenders". The arrangement we present here is for organ manuals only and we have retained dynamic markings in the score so that, depending on the organ you are using and the availability of stops, controls and manuals, the player may be able to vary the tone and volume appropriately while performing the piece. For example you can use a simple flute stop or similar from bar 20 and transition back to a fuller tone by bar 28.

You can download the organ sheet music, midi and mp3 files using the links on the left hand menu, or click here to see our own version of Nimrod arranged for Piano. The video below illustrates the arrangement played on a midi keyboard, or this alternative video uses a graphical animation to illustrate the music, or you can scroll down to play the mp3 file and see the sheet music.