“Nimrod” – More information!

Carol was digging around the internet (which is her habit when she has questions but no answers), and came up with the reason why the Elgar Enigma Variations performance in yesterdays video was clearly an emotional experience. The following was copied from the WQXR Blog:

“June 16, 2013 – When the Greek government last week closed the country’s public broadcasting network, ERT, and laid off all of its nearly 2,700 employees, among the casualties was the Greek National Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

The closure was part of the cost-cutting measures demanded by Greece’s international creditors. Along with the 75-year-old radio orchestra, the national contemporary music ensemble, founded in 1954, was also shuttered. On Friday, the orchestra released a video of what is said to be the group’s final performance. Shot in a sweltering rehearsal room (the air conditioning had been turned off), it shows musicians, some teary-eyed, playing Elgar’s stirring “Nimrod” from the Enigma Variations.”

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It is always sad when austerity measures include the arts. So much of our cultural history emphasizes the arts. So much of what we admire today, would not be here if it wasn’t for support of the arts. When we think of the Greek culture, the chances are we do not recall too much about their conquests, but we probably admire their architecture. Music has been around for many, many, generations now, which tells us that we have an affinity to music. Can you imagine living in a country where the arts are not supported?

Sometime in the distant future, a history class will be studying the 20th/21st century. I wonder what they will be reading about us?

10 thoughts on ““Nimrod” – More information!”

  2. On the wall of my Father’s study hung a framed large piece of embroidery that my Gram had lovingly created. Gram beautifully embroidered music notes of all sorts to surround the equally skillfully done words of Plato : “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” The same quote hangs on the wall in the very room that I now sit, albeit mine is simply a framed print of the words. How kind of you to share the results of Carol’s search! It certainly adds more poignancy to the video shared yesterday. It seems that many times whenever the shortage of funds became an issue the Arts were one of the first things that were eliminated. I imagine, that sadly, this will also be true as we go through this pandemic. My best wishes for the continued health and well being of Ray, Carol and yourself. Thank-you!

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  3. My curious mind thanks Carol very much for finding this information, and you, for posting it. 🙂

    What a sad situation! I am sure that waa so hard on everyone to play that piece but they rose to the occasion and did a wonderful job!

    I can’t imagine a world without music! The arts truly are important. What will history classes be saying about us?? Good question, and the answers could be scary!

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  4. I’m for all the government programs anyone could ever want, including the support of the arts. But only as long as the budget is balanced. Apparently, they couldn’t balance their budget in Greece. I don’t know the story, but maybe they were unwilling to raise taxes.
    It’s sad, though, that a great orchestra had to come to an end.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi TG. The story as I understood it, was that the general population didn’t like paying taxes and therefore circumvented the process wherever they could. Sadly, while they didn’t want to pay any taxes, they did want the government to provide various benefits. It would appear that they did not understand the basic concept of cash in = cash out …. which I guess is an education thing. In fairness to the Greeks, I have heard similar perspectives expressed here!

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