Bernstein conducts Elgar - 'Nimrod' ('Enigma Variations') - BBC Symphony Orchestra (1982)

In 1982, Leonard Bernstein visited London and gave a concert at the Royal Festival Hall which featured Elgar's "Enigma Variations." It is now known that he and the BBC Symphony Orchestra didn't exactly hit it off, while his reading of Elgar's work proved to be somewhat controversial. As an example, here is the "Nimrod" variation performed in what is believed to be its longest duration. The whole concert and the first rehearsal was issued by 'ICA Classics' on DVD (Catalogue No. ICAD 5098) from which this extract is taken.

[greg]

The most beautiful piece of music ever written. If this does not bring out your emotions, I feel sorry for you. Bernstein was so great

[keithdaris]

Why rush? Do you gulp down fine wine? Try slow. This is some of the most beautiful music ever written!!!

[bryanhiggins]

I am a bit jealous of all the critics of this interpretation of Nimrod. I mean, to have had the opportunity to have been able to actually talk with Elgar himself and know what questions to ask so you were able to find out everything about how he wanted this piece played in every circumstance must have been amazing! Although I guess it would be a little frustrating to know that you are a better conductor than old Lenny Bernstein and then have to see him get all the fame. And on top of that, knowing you are 100% correct in your opinion but that there are people out there who have the audacity to disagree with you.

I think people often don't consider that when you see or hear a musician perform, you are seeing into their heart and soul. Look at Bernstein while he conducts; he is not there just to wave his arms for a few hours to get paid. He is fully invested in this performance and gives a glimpse into himself.

Everyone can, does, and should have opinions about music because it triggers such strong emotions in us; you like it one way, I prefer it another, and the person next to you prefers it still a different way. None of them are wrong because they are your feelings. Bernstein interpreted this work differently than we are used to and unfortunately, we can't ask him why he conducts this like he is. I'll leave it at saying that some of the comments below seem just plain mean. Next time we hear something played in a way we don't enjoy rather than closing our minds and passing judgment, how about "The orchestra played extremely well, but the tempo was just too slow for my personal taste." As the old saying goes, "if you can't say something nice, don't say something at all."

[petergolding]

Bernstein was my mentor and teacher for about 3 years before he died. At times he was impossibly egotistical but, in my opinion, an absolute genius. Conductor, concert pianist, composer, lecturer, book writer (and brilliant at all of them) - the list goes on. I've seen this documentary where the orchestra thought they knew best (and no doubt knew of Bernstein's reputation!) and were incredibly rude and dismissive during rehearsals. I'd like to have seen them answer back to Karajan (not that he would have conducted them!). In my opinion it is the finest Nimrod I've ever heard, and I absolutely love the whole Enigma Variations that he recorded with the BBCSO. It's a bit marmite for most people but I know where I stand on it!

[dbcarroll]

If this isn't played at my funeral I'm not going.

[brandywineblogger]

It's going to be played at Prince Philip's Funeral on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
The music is inspired and makes me tear up just listening to it.

[jamesrivas]

This is the piece I heard on Classical radio in Lee County Florida.
I was sitting in my car on a break listening to the channel when they played this music.
Being a part time musician myself but having to work odd jobs to survive this really caught my ear.
By the time I got to the middle of the piece I was already in awe of the structure and movements of the symphony.
The climax left me stunned at what I had just heard.
It gave me emotions that I had rarely experienced in other music.
Bernstein at his best because the slowness of the cadence gave it such a dynamic climax.
The orchestra was not happy about the tempo but he was a brilliant conductor who knew what he was doing.
To this day when I listen I still get the same emotion great music from Elgar and a great conductor in Bernstein. BRAVO

[iwasglad]

I saw the rehearsal when the BBC originally screened it on television all those years ago. Whether you like or dislike Bernstein's interpretation of Nimrod, or indeed, the entire Enigma Variations, I think it was rather ungracious of the BBCSO to treat him as they did. He wasn't nasty to them or brutally didactic, he was merely interpreting the music in his own way, just as every other conductor does, and the open hostility was something the BBCSO should have been ashamed of. If memory serves, and it's been a very long time (!), Bernstein's reaction was, "What do people expect? I'm an American Jew conducting an English Roman Catholic's music!

[ludolfebner]

In a world where everyone just plays faster and faster for whatever reason, this sticks out and calms down. Maybe he was ahead of his time already then

[davidcrook]

Like this yes maybe slower than Elgar intended but I'm glad that Bernstein and the BBCSO gave us this interpretation! 👍👍👍👍

[andyjay]

I can understand people’s consternation about the slowness of this rendition .
However, I love this composition so much I wish it could go on for ever.
Beautiful.

[grimmrad]

This is the version for me, even if people say it's too slow - it is one of the pieces which gets me to tears every single time.

[kalena]

I cry every time I watch this. Breathtaking. I was in the band in high school, played the clarinet. We played Enigma Variations for the State Finals. Our director read to us the meaning of Nimrod and of it being about two best friends. He really brought out the emotions in us all. We were all crying after we played it. Cherished memory forever.

[Ferdinand]

As as former classical pianist, I can tell you the hardest, hardest thing to do is sit on stage and play slowly. Memory lapses become much more likely, nerves have more of an opportunity to take over, and you're sure the audience is losing interest. Some of those factors are surely at play in this orchestra. Also, who is this Bernstein, this revolting ex-colonist, to come to England and tell them how to play their music? I love this interpretation, and it surely took a LOT of nerve and persuasiveness to achieve it.

[johnrichardson]

If this doesn’t lift your soul, nothing will. Stunning

[petethompson]

Can't wait play this in our brass band on my trombone for armistice day. For my 3 brothers in arms who are no longer with us.

[CarolineVriesendorp]

This performance has showed me how to live my life. Keep it as Simple Noble and Pure as you can...

[nathancrabtree]

I have always loved this variation, but the tempo at which it is usually taken always left me wanting more…like Elgar ended it too soon. That’s why I LOVE this tempo. And for all of the Lenny haters out there, this is an interpretation. A conductor brings their experience and skill to a work and brings to life the ink on the page in collaboration with the musicians they lead in an inimitable moment of time and space. “It is not the critic who counts.”

[rasco]

The greatest piece of music. Made even better by the greatest ever conductor.

[mr-wxlv]

That doesn't sound too slow at all. Bernstein recognises the pathos and passion of the piece and expresses it in the way it should be played. Most conductors are too fleeting with Nimrod..