Elgar's Hillside

[Karl Henning]

And I shall revisit the Elder recording of both Falstaff and (with Schiff) of the Cello Concerto to-day.

[Elgarian]

Anyway, getting away from the chamber works , what is everyone's favorite performance of the Cello Concerto besides du Pre?

My absolute favourite recording is Beatrice Harrison, with Elgar conducting. Trouble is, I know too much about her to be objective, from her playing cello to the nightingales in her garden, to Elgar's whispered comment once as they went up onto the stage together: 'Give it 'em Beatrice; don't mind about the notes or anything; give 'em the spirit.' So a lot of extra-musical baggage comes into my choice. Still, she was Elgar's chosen cellist of distinction.

[Karl Henning]

My absolute favourite recording is Beatrice Harrison, with Elgar conducting. Trouble is, I know too much about her to be objective, from her playing cello to the nightingales in her garden, to Elgar's whispered comment once as they went up onto the stage together: 'Give it 'em Beatrice; don't mind about the notes or anything; give 'em the spirit.' So a lot of extra-musical baggage comes into my choice. Still, she was Elgar's chosen cellist of distinction.

Which in turn reminds me to check who the cellist is, in the Elgar's Own Edition.

[Karl Henning]

Which in turn reminds me to check who the cellist is, in the Elgar's Own Edition.

Bah, can you tell I've not had my first cuppa tea yet this morning? Cor, but I feel dumber 'n a toothpick in a shuttered delicatessen.

[Elgarian]

Bah, can you tell I've not had my first cuppa tea yet this morning? Cor, but I feel dumber 'n a toothpick in a shuttered delicatessen.

I think we have the makings of a good and testing Pub Quiz question: In Beatrice Harrison's recording of Elgar's cello concerto under Elgar's baton,
(1) who was the soloist?
(2) what was the solo instrument?
(3) who was the conductor?
(4) and in which shuttered delicatessen did it not take place?

[mc ukrneal]

I think we have the makings of a good and testing Pub Quiz question: In Beatrice Harrison's recording of Elgar's cello concerto under Elgar's baton,
(1) who was the soloist?
(2) what was the solo instrument?
(3) who was the conductor?
(4) and in which shuttered delicatessen did it not take place?

For extra credit there is:
(5) what piece were they playing at the time?

[Karl Henning]

Thanks for the chuckle, gents! Cheers!

[Elgarian]

For extra credit there is:
(5) what piece were they playing at the time?

Damn, I wish I'd thought of that! What a clincher!

[Mirror Image]

May 1957.

Thanks, Karl. One further question is it in mono or stereo?

[Karl Henning]

Thanks, Karl. One further question is it in mono or stereo?

Will check when I get home, John. I should think stereo . . . certainly it was a Wilma Cozart Fine job . . . .

[71 dB]

I enjoyed the Violin Sonata more than the Piano Quintet, but I'll listen to this recording again.

My ranking of Elgar's chamber works (favorite performance):

1. Piano Quintet (Maggini String Quartet + Peter Donohoe)
2. Violin Sonata (Lydia Mordkovitch + Julian Milford)
3. String Quartet (draw between Maggini String Quartet and Music Group of London)

[Mirror Image]

Will check when I get home, John. I should think stereo . . . certainly it was a Wilma Cozart Fine job . . . .

Thanks, Karl. I'll check it out. You can never have too many performances of the CC.

[Mirror Image]

Now:

[asin]B0000B0A0P[/asin]

Listening to Elgar's Enigma Variations from this great set. A unique insight into this work. Some interesting choices of tempi throughout.

Has anyone heard this Stokowski performance? It's really good. The Czech Philharmonic perform admirably well. This set is the first time this particular performance has been released.

[Mirror Image]

What do I love about du Pre's performance? Her intensity, virtuosity, ability to plumb the emotional depths of a work that clearly sounds like a confession of sorrow, loneliness, and isolation. I hear a cellist playing as if her very life was at stake. She became Elgar's voice crying out amidst the shadows. That yearning lyricism haunts me to no end. It also helps to have a sympathetic conductor aiding the performer in the music. In this case, Barbirolli was hers for the duration of this work. He was there with her from the first note that was played. I can think of no other performance that satisfies me this way than du Pre's. I have heard her earlier performance with Barenboim and, it's nice, but it doesn't begin to express the type of emotion this performance personifies.

There, Neal, is that a good explanation?

[Gurn Blanston]

If you will excuse it for a bit, I am going to lock this while I get a grip on what has gone on. Meanwhile we can all listen to some Haydn and come back refreshed.

[Gurn Blanston]

Very well, hopefully the Haydn has had its usual beneficent effect and we are ready to resume the discussion of the normally non-controversial Sir Edward. I have applied the pruner with equal opportunity for all, and fondly hope that I shan't have to return to the 20th century for a bit.

Carry on, I suppose.

[Mirror Image]

Revisiting this recording after a long hiatus...



No sure what everyone's favorite performance of The Music Makers is but this one is GREAT! Boult, always the assured Elgarian, conducts an unforgettable performance IMHO. Janet Baker sounds better than ever here. I'm also going to tread on through The Dream of Gerontius. A work, which under Elder, has given me some problems. Hopefully, Boult's clear-headed way with the music will spark some interest for me this time around.

[Mirror Image]

Hello...Hello...Hello....is there anybody out there?

I guess when Gurn cleaned some house, he cleared out the people too!

[TheGSMoeller]

The three recordings of Music Makers I own...

 


All three very good. Wright/Naxos has superb sound with much clarity in the choir, especially in the quieter moments, and Connolly has the perfect voice for this and Sea. Although, Davis is overall the better of the three I would say.

[Mirror Image]

The three recordings of Music Makers I own...

 


All three very good. Wright/Naxos has superb sound with much clarity in the choir, especially in the quieter moments, and Connolly has the perfect voice for this and Sea. Although, Davis is overall the better of the three I would say.

Thanks for the feedback, Greg. I thought the Connolly/Wright was very good. I agree about the clarity of, not only the choir, but the orchestral as well. I do believe, though, I like the weightiness and darker toned Baker/Boult performance much more than the Connolly/Wright. This is such a good performance. Have you heard it? I need to re-listen to the Andrew Davis/Rigby as it's been quite some time since I've heard it. As I said before, Sir Andrew Davis is my favorite living Elgar conductor.