Elgar's Hillside

[Elgarian]

Haven't heard this new recording yet I'm afraid, so can't comment. But I was in the garden of Elgar's Birthplace yesterday, and it was bursting with sunshine and flowers:

[Karl Henning]

Beauty!

[TheGSMoeller]

That bottom photo is lovely. Could easily grace the cover of an Elgar album. 

[Lisztianwagner]

Such charming pictures; I really hope to visit Elgar's birthplace sooner or later!

[DavidRoss]

Just heard this performance of the Edgar cello concerto



It sounded very fine to my ears but then, I have little history with the work.  Much seems to being made of Barenboim's involvement, i.e. first time recording the work since losing his wife, Jacqueline Du Pre.

Anyone have any comments?

Barenboim's recording with Du Pre was not good -- maudlin, indulgent to the point of sappiness. I just listened to some of this new one via Mog and thought it erred on the indulgent side also, and seemed limp. Better is Du Pre/Barbirolli.  Better yet is Tortelier/Boult. Among more recent recordings, I recall Natalie Clein with Handley as well-played and recorded and comparatively restrained--which has its virtue, especially with such overtly "emotional" music.

[Elgarian]

Barenboim's recording with Du Pre was not good -- maudlin, indulgent to the point of sappiness. I just listened to some of this new one via Mog and thought it erred on the indulgent side also, and seemed limp. Better is Du Pre/Barbirolli.  Better yet is Tortelier/Boult. Among more recent recordings, I recall Natalie Clein with Handley as well-played and recorded and comparatively restrained--which has its virtue, especially with such overtly "emotional" music.

Most fascinating of all, and my out-and-out personal favourite: Beatrice Harrison (regularly Elgar's cellist of choice), with Elgar himself conducting, in 1928, and of far, far better audio quality than one might suppose.

[mc ukrneal]

Most fascinating of all, and my out-and-out personal favourite: Beatrice Harrison (regularly Elgar's cellist of choice), with Elgar himself conducting, in 1928, and of far, far better audio quality than one might suppose.

Is that the same one in the EMI set?

[TheGSMoeller]

Most fascinating of all, and my out-and-out personal favourite: Beatrice Harrison (regularly Elgar's cellist of choice), with Elgar himself conducting, in 1928, and of far, far better audio quality than one might suppose.

Listened to this last night, Elgarian is right, good audio quality, and performances that require a listen from Elgar fans.

[Elgarian]

Is that the same one in the EMI set?

It's the same original recording (only one electrical recording of Beatrice Harrison and Elgar was ever made). I don't know how much the various remasterings might differ from each other in detail, but all the versions I've heard have been excellent, so I doubt if it matters much which version you might have.

[Karl Henning]

It's the same original recording (only one electrical recording of Beatrice Harrison and Elgar was ever made).

Winning!

[mc ukrneal]

It's the same original recording (only one electrical recording of Beatrice Harrison and Elgar was ever made). I don't know how much the various remasterings might differ from each other in detail, but all the versions I've heard have been excellent, so I doubt if it matters much which version you might have.

Ok. THanks! I have that set on my wish list, so didn't want to duplicate.

[Mirror Image]

Looks like a new Cello Concerto recording from Harmonia Mundi is on the horizon:

[asin]B00COU06K8[/asin]

[vandermolen]

I was delighted to hear a fine performance of the Enigma Variations in London last night. BBC SO/Oramo

[kyjo]

Due out soon:



Pentatone recordings are generally of a very high standard (especially in regard to audio quality), but I'm going to wait for some reviews (in regards to the performances) on this one before rushing out to buy it.

[Brian]

Due out soon:



Pentatone recordings are generally of a very high standard (especially in regard to audio quality), but I'm going to wait for some reviews (in regards to the performances) on this one before rushing out to buy it.

This image isn't working for me.



Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius & Symphony No. 1
Elgar:
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38
Peter Auty (tenor), Michelle Breedt (mezzo soprano) & John Hancock (baritone)
with Collegium Vocale Gent
Symphony No. 1 in A flat major, Op. 55
Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Edo de Waart

[Mirror Image]

Due out soon:



Pentatone recordings are generally of a very high standard (especially in regard to audio quality), but I'm going to wait for some reviews (in regards to the performances) on this one before rushing out to buy it.

Nice to have Symphony No. 1 attached to this recording. Not that I'm in any need for another 1st mind you. I have mixed feelings about Pentatone's recordings. On one hand, I think their audio quality is top-notch and overall ambience of their recordings is quite warm, but, on the other hand, I think very little of their recorded catalog. I think they tend to play it 'safe' to often just to make a sell and that's fine, but they're not a label that's adventurous and for this I can't give them a complete endorsement.

[kyjo]

Nice to have Symphony No. 1 attached to this recording. Not that I'm in any need for another 1st mind you. I have mixed feelings about Pentatone's recordings. On one hand, I think their audio quality is top-notch and overall ambience of their recordings is quite warm, but, on the other hand, I think very little of their recorded catalog. I think they tend to play it 'safe' to often just to make a sell and that's fine, but they're not a label that's adventurous and for this I can't give them a complete endorsement.

Let me first clarify that I was not praising Pentatone to the hills in my first post and that I completely agree with what you say, John. As a collector of lesser-known music, Pentatone is not a label I buy from often. Even so, I enjoy the recordings that I do have from this label.

[Brian]

I was delighted to hear a fine performance of the Enigma Variations in London last night. BBC SO/Oramo

When I moved back to Texas from London in 2011, the last concert I went to was an Enigma Variations Prom with the BBC PO and Vassily Sinaisky. They included the optional organ part in the finale, which to my mind is so good it shouldn't be optional!

[TheGSMoeller]

When I moved back to Texas from London in 2011, the last concert I went to was an Enigma Variations Prom with the BBC PO and Vassily Sinaisky. They included the optional organ part in the finale, which to my mind is so good it shouldn't be optional!

Brian, which available recording of Enigma displays the most prominent organ, I think all of my 6-7 recordings don't have the organ and I really would like to have one.
Also, I should've added a "good" performance of Enigma with the organ.

[Brian]

Brian, which available recording of Enigma displays the most prominent organ, I think all of my 6-7 recordings don't have the organ and I really would like to have one.
Also, I should've added a "good" performance of Enigma with the organ.

The first place I heard it was this very enjoyable CD:



Philharmonia & Andrew Davis on Signum, in case the image doesn't show up. I listen to it fairly regularly for the organ alone, so yeah, probably a worthy add to your collection! (Puts the disc on right now.) (EDIT: Hmmmmm listening again I can't help wondering if there's another recording where the organ is more "forward"...)