Elgar's Hillside

[(poco) Sforzando]

Barbriolli? Never heard of him. Sounds Italian, didn't know Jacky recorded anything with an Italian conductor.

Then possibly you've heard of Sir John Barbirolli, who despite his last name was British through and through.

[Hector]

Then possibly you've heard of Sir John Barbirolli, who despite his last name was British through and through.

You are wasting your time as this is a guy who has no idea where his pseudonym originated!

I'm not telling him. He can find out for himself that it was coined by a famous Socialist playwright!

[(poco) Sforzando]

You are wasting your time as this is a guy who has no idea where his pseudonym originated!

I'm not telling him. He can find out for himself that it was coined by a famous Socialist playwright!

Well, pshaw to that!

[Sergeant Rock]

You are wasting your time as this is a guy who has no idea where his pseudonym originated!

Like PW, I never heard of Barbriolli either    We're both quite familiar with Barbirolli though.

Well, pshaw to that!

Sarge

[PerfectWagnerite]

You are wasting your time as this is a guy who has no idea where his pseudonym originated!

I'm not telling him. He can find out for himself that it was coined by a famous Socialist playwright!

Why should I care? That bothers you? Does that make you mad?

[71 dB]

Last night I listened again this recording of Elgar's The Light of Life, Op. 29.

This oratorio finished in 1896 is the prelude to the The Apostles and The Kingdom oratorios and shows Elgar's genius starting to blossom. It's shorter (60 minutes), less complex and lighter. It is a good starting point if you want to explore Elgar's choral works. Hickox's performance is wonderful. Highly recommended CD!

[Lethevich]

Sonata for Violin and Piano in E minor
Very easy melodious exercises in the first position
Salut d'amour, 'Liebesgrüss'
Mot d'amour, 'Liebesahnung'
Canto popolare
Sospiri
Chanson de nuit
Chanson de matin

Does this disc have any competition as a collection of odds and ends? The main reason I would buy it was for the non-sonata violin material, and of that, I would like as much as possible...

[71 dB]

Lethe, if you want obscure Elgar violin material check Marat Bisengaliev's and Benjamin Frith's "Elgar: re-discovered works for violin" volumes 1 & 2 on black box label. 

[Lethevich]

Lethe, if you want obscure Elgar violin material check Marat Bisengaliev's and Benjamin Frith's "Elgar: re-discovered works for violin" volumes 1 & 2 on black box label. 

Ooh that does sound better (more comprehensive) - I would imagine the sound quality will be much nicer as well, as the Kennedy disc is early digital. Thanks

[71 dB]

...as the Kennedy disc is early digital. Thanks

Late response, sorry.

Recorded in: St Georges Church, Bloomsbury, London 6,7 January 1984. I never realised that Kennedy recording is that old! I don't have it... ...those black box discs have good sound imo.

You're welcome!

[karlhenning]

Is that the Kennedy performance with Handley?

[71 dB]

Is that the Kennedy performance with Handley?

We are talking about Elgar's music for violin and piano.

Nigel Kennedy violin
Peter Pettinger piano

[karlhenning]

Thanks for the clarification, Poju! 

[Martin Lind]

Since yesterday I have this inexpensive set:



I had to wait 25 days for this set.

I have already some good things from Elgar. 1st symphony Judd, 2nd symphony Downes, also the 3rd, the three oratories, two recordings of the violin concerto, Cello concerto, Enigma variations, piano quintett, Falstaff, one CD with shorter pieces,  and some other stuff.

So I have already some things from Elgar, but this was a good offer and I am glad that I bought it. I love Elgar alot and I simply can't understand why so many people talk derogatorily of Elgar. His music is noble, has a genuine beauty and touches your heart. Not everything will be of the very first order, but still this is very great music.

I am very glad that I have got this box and am able to explore some more Elgar or hear some other recordings of works which I already love. I already heard the Enigma variations with Barbirolli and like that more than Jochum, the cello concerto with Jaquline du Pres is glorious and I also liked the seapictures with Janet Baker, the Pomp und Circumstances and the serenade. I knew all these works before but liked the recordings from this box, all Barbirolli which I didn't know.

Regards
Martin

[71 dB]

Martin, it's nice to see somebody else to stand behind Elgar. Ever since I found Elgar's music 12 years ago I have been sad/frustrated to see how few us Elgarians are and how belittled this awesome composer is among many fans of classical music.

I already own many of the CDs included in this boxset but I think someday I will purchase it anyway.  0:)

[Martin Lind]

Well, nobody has to love Elgar. If you don't like him, that's alright. You can also despise Beethoven and Bach. The only thing which sometimes disturbes me is some kind of "argumentation". For example, Elgar is only an English composer, held only in high regard in England for he is kind of a national monument but without importance for other people. Or he is a typical example of "the Victorian era" but somehow "oldfashioned", maybe even "imperialistic" and therefore without importance for today. I don't like it if people are arguing that way. We should talk about music not about all these pictures of Elgar which are so popular but definetely misleading.

But another question. Are there sources in the internet where I can read the English texts of Elgars works? As I am no native speaker it is difficult for me to follow the word meaning of oratories, songs and all that. The Emibox - though a splendid bargain - leaves you completely alone with this. I would be very gratefull, to know some texts.

Otherwise I would be glad, if this thread could become some kind of "listening companion" for my further exploration of Elgars works.

Another interesting question is, wether this 30 CD box of Elgar really completely covers the works of Elgar - obviously not - but what is missing?

Regards
Martin

[Kuhlau]

Another interesting question is, wether this 30 CD box of Elgar really completely covers the works of Elgar - obviously not - but what is missing?

I think you'll find this helpful, Martin.

Chronology of Elgar's compositions

FK

[71 dB]

Another interesting question is, wether this 30 CD box of Elgar really completely covers the works of Elgar - obviously not - but what is missing?

Regards
Martin

It does not cover everything. Elgar has tons of obscure/unfinished works that can be found "elaborated" elsewhere. Elgar wrote about 40 CDs worth of music so this boxset covers about 75 %.

[Martin Lind]

Thank you for your help and your response. Well I still miss the texts of Elgars works, I hope I can find them somewhere, the search for this in the internet was without success.

Listened alot to my Elgarbox the recent days - marvelous. I simply can't understand why this composer isn't estimated higher. I find in Elgar this simple and subtle, shy, touching beauty which I find in Brahms, this is why I really love Elgar. He is no Brahms clone of course, in many aspects he is quite differant, but he has that tone which is why he so stands out.

I can't understand that he is not regarded higher in Germany where he has his fans of course but you find alot stupid remarks too. I don't know why he is so terribly English, I think all this as a matter of fact damages his reputation, he should be regarded more as a composer of international importance with English origin.

And then I read the text of the back of my Emibox that Elgar is heard for "national rejoice". Well why not, why not listening to Elgar for "national rejoice", I will not judge that, but I would have prefered a text which would have emphasized the fact that Elgar is loved by many people in the world. Or even better no text of that kind at all. Though there is still much misunderstanding I think that better times for Elgar will come. Also abroad. And in my opinion he is certainly better and more important than alot composers who are regarded higher in the moment.

[knight66]

Here is a source for the libretto of Dream of Gerontius.

http://www.elgar.org/3gerontl.htm

Mike