Former club president gives talk on Elgar

The title indicated that the Enigma Variations would be a feature of the evening, especially the noble variation called Nimrod, which was a portrait of August Jaeger. As Jaeger is the German for hunter, the enigma of that particular variation is made clear.

John outlined the history of the Jaeger family, who settled in London after leaving their cultured life in Dusseldorf.

August joined the music publishing firm of Novello, and although he had no professional musical qualifications he had an innate musical sensitivity, and was particularly interested in furthering the cause of English music.

Soon a correspondence developed between the diffident, insecure Elgar and Jaeger in which the latter found a rapport with Elgar's creative spirit, knowing that here was a great musician in the making.

John played the work which initiated their friendship, Elgar's Te Deum Laudamus, op.34, written for the Three Choirs Festival, Hereford in 1897, and subsequently published by Novello.

John also treated his audience to more familiar and well-loved works such as the aria '˜The Sun Goeth Down' from Elgar's oratorio the Kingdon, op 51 sung by Margaret Price with the LPO under Sir Adrian Boult, and the conclusion of part 2 of The Dream of Gerontius, the famous recording of Janet Baker, Richard Llewis and Kim Borg with the Halle Orchestra and Choir under the batton of Sir John Barbirolli.

A work which came about as a response to Jaeger's suggestion that a brilliant, quick string scherzo would fill a need in English music was played '“ the Introduction and Allegro for Strings, with the ECO conducted by Benjamin Britten.

After these well-known pieces, John found two choral part songs, again written for the choral Festivals which were popular in Victorian England: '˜There is Sweet Music' and '˜Owls' both of which were a wonderful find and completely unknown.

John chose the last two movements of Elgar's Symphony no 1 to conclude his fascinating talk, because it was one of the last works which August Jaeger heard, and about which he sent Elgar his usual detailed critical analysis shortly before his death at the age of 49.

In his vote of thanks, Rob Salmon, the club's treasurer, mentioned the wealth of information John had given about Elgar's methods of composing and his response to criticism, as well as the pleasure of hearing such uplifiting music.

For further information about the club, contact the secretary, Maureen Wright, on 01243 827358.