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In 1909, August Jaeger, the German emigre who worked for the
publishers Novello, who edited and championed the emerging
composer's works and, in the process, became Elgar's close
friend, died at the age of 49 after a long wasting illness.
Although Elgar never formally acknowledged it, it seems likely
that, despite the formal dedication, Elgar wrote this short, peaceful elegy in memory of his
friend. The lack of formal acknowledgement perhaps indicates that
Elgar intended it as a very personal tribute. Equally,
however, he may have recognised that, in the public's mind, his
friend would always be remembered by Elgar's earlier,
unsurpassable tribute to him - Nimrod of the
Enigma Variations.
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