Elgar’s Enigma Variations, a regular item in the repertoire of the LSSO for many years, was a work which always seemed suited to the corporate sound of the orchestra and its principal players. Sir Michael Tippett had a special way with Enigma and conducted it on many occasions.

When the LSSO re-assembled each September, following the annual overseas tour, Enigma always seemed to be there on the music stands and it was often greeted with groans from the old-timers (all of 17 or 18 years of age) who had seen it all before.

Deep down we all loved this piece and Eric always seemed to finish the final concert of each European trip with Nimrod and this always proved to be highly emotional for those players about to leave the orchestra.

At Eric Pinkett’s farewell concert at De Montfort Hall in 1976 the encore he chose to play was also Nimrod. This final performance was captured on tape by BBC Radio Leicester.

Press articles relating to Eric Pinkett’s farewell concert and more information about the Enigma Variations can be seen in the reviews section of this website.