Enigma Variation #9 (Nimrod)

Elgar’s haunting melody flows through the ensemble finally reaching the climax at the very end. This is a great piece to show off the ensemble’s musicality, blend and balance. The solo line is passed around the ensemble from the horn to the flugel/trombone to the trumpet. The arranger recommends the use of flugel horn to allow for a greater variety of colours. The trumpet part captures many of the oboe lines and therefore adds extra brightness to contrast the blending of the horn, flugel and low brass.