Edward Elgar composed his Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, popularly known as the Enigma Variations, between October 1898 and February 1899. It is an orchestral work comprising fourteen variations on an original theme.

Elgar dedicated the work "to my friends pictured within", each variation being a musical sketch of one of his circle of close acquaintances (see musical cryptogram). Those portrayed include Elgar's wife Alice, his friend and publisher Augustus J. Jaeger and Elgar himself.

In naming his theme "Enigma" Elgar posed a challenge which has generated much speculation but has never been conclusively answered. The Enigma is widely believed to involve a hidden melody.

The name of the variation IX (NIMROD) refers to Augustus J. Jaeger, who was employed as music editor by the London publisher Novello & Co. He was a close friend of Elgar's, giving him useful advice but also severe criticism, something Elgar greatly appreciated. Elgar later related how Jaeger had encouraged him as an artist and had stimulated him to continue composing despite setbacks. Nimrod is described in the Old Testament as "a mighty hunter before the Lord", Jäger being German for hunter.

In 1904 Elgar told Dora Penny ("Dorabella") that this variation is not really a portrait, but "the story of something that happened". Once, when Elgar had been very depressed and was about to give it all up and write no more music, Jaeger had visited him and encouraged him to continue composing. He referred to Ludwig van Beethoven, who had a lot of worries, but wrote more and more beautiful music. "And that is what you must do", Jaeger said, and he sang the theme of the second movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 8 Pathétique. Elgar disclosed to Dora that the opening bars of "Nimrod" were made to suggest that theme. "Can't you hear it at the beginning? Only a hint, not a quotation."

This variation has become popular in its own right and is sometimes used at British funerals, memorial services, and other solemn occasions. It is always played at the Cenotaph, Whitehall in London at the National Service of Remembrance. A version was also played during the Hong Kong handover ceremony in 1997 and at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The ?Nimrod? variation was the final orchestral composition (before the national anthem) played by the Greek National Orchestra in a televised June 2013 concert, before the 75-year-old Athenian ensemble was dissolved in the wake of severe government cutbacks.

An adaptation of the piece appears at the ending of the 2017 film Dunkirk as part of the score

The title of this collection was inspired by the words found in Psalm 150 verse 4: ?Praise Him with stringed instruments?? (KJV)

This collection contains 10 favorite hymns arranged as easy instrumental trios (for two VIOLINS with PIANO accompaniment). From flowing and peaceful to upbeat and festive, these arrangements are a welcome addition to the repertoire for beginning string students. These familiar hymn arrangements are equally enjoyed whether used for recitals, worship services, or to make practicing more interesting.

All notes for both VIOLIN parts in each song are playable in the first position making these arrangements an excellent choice for early-intermediate string players. For each song, there is a combined score (grand staff) with all parts on each page (VIOLIN 1, VIOLIN 2, and PIANO) plus a separate 1-staff score for each VIOLIN part and also a PIANO only score.

Each song is also available separately with accompanying preview pages and audio samples. The audio sample plays "Come, Thou Fount."

Song titles included in this collection:
Blessed Quietness
Come, Thou Fount
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Holy, Holy, Holy
It Is Well with My Soul
Nearer, My God, to Thee
Power in the Blood
Praise Ye the Father

To God Be the Glory
What a Friend We have in Jesus

The title of this collection was inspired by the words found in Psalm 150 verse 4: "Praise Him with stringed instruments?" (KJV)

This collection contains 10 favorite hymns arranged as easy instrumental trios (for VIOLIN and CELLO duet with PIANO accompaniment). From flowing and peaceful to upbeat and festive, these arrangements are a welcome addition to the repertoire for beginning string students. These familiar hymn arrangements are equally enjoyed whether used for recitals, worship services, or to make practicing more interesting.

All notes for both the VIOLIN and CELLO are playable in the first position making these arrangements an excellent choice for early-intermediate string players. For each song, there is a combined score (grand staff) with all parts on each page (VIOLIN, CELLO, and PIANO) plus a separate 1-staff score for each string instrument part (VIOLIN and CELLO) and also a PIANO only score.

Each song is also available separately with accompanying preview pages and audio samples.

Song titles included in this collection:
Be Thou My Vision
Beautiful Garden of Prayer
Close to Thee
Faith of Our Fathers
Here Is Love
His Eye Is on the Sparrow
I?ve Found a Friend
Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone
Shall We Gather at the River
Sweet By and By

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SYROYYYOc8


?At Last? was composed by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical ?Sun Valley Serenade? in 1941. It was recorded by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, becoming a chart hit in 1942, and in 1960 by Etta James, who was subsequently inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The song is a frequent wedding favourite for quartets.

Why chose my arrangement?

This is a song from my gig repertoire, and as such I have spent a long time on the piano part to make sure that it lies under the fingers. I have assigned the opening to the piano as it is tricky, even for very experienced violin players, and I shortened the introduction to make it more appropriate for concerts, wedding venues and pub gigs. I have also made the piano notation slightly smaller so that it falls onto two pages. It?s very important for a live performance to be able to see it easily. And unlike some sheet music that you can buy, I make sure the treble and bass clefs are easy to read?.very few horrible ledger lines!

The violin part has difficult rhythms but I enclose a midi version to help you. (Watch the video) Having said that, although the pianist needs to hold a steady pulse, the violin part can be extremely varied and you can play around with the tune as much as you like. I have included a cadenza that my daughter sings in live performances, but feel free to change it, or miss it out altogether.

I have also included an Easy Violin version for your pupils, or as a way in to working on the more difficult version.

My tips for the performance.

The first piano chord is tricky, but works if you do a glissando in the left hand, and land on the A on the first beat of the bar. I tried many different spacings of the chord but this is the one that sounded best. I have largely written a quaver accompaniment throughout the song, but sometimes I hint at it rather than playing it literally. There are some fingerings that I have found helpful, but feel free to change them, of course! The same goes for my bowing. Take as many bows as you need to feel comfortable.