Elgar's Hillside

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So thanks for providing the motivation.

No problem!

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Would I be overstepping my bounds if I said that Andrew Davis and Mark Elder are our greatest living Elgarians right now?

[71 dB]

I listened to some of the sketches of Symphony No. 3 and wasn't particularly impressed with it. I actually stopped playing after the second movement. It sounds nothing like Elgar to my ears and I'm beginning to wonder how much tinkering did Anthony Payne actually do? I would say this is a good historical document to have in any Elgar collection, but it's far from great music IMHO. One listen to the previous symphony and you have to think "Surely Elgar would have done more with this work had he actually completed it?" This was constantly running through my mind throughout the first and second movements. I certainly never thought "This is Elgar's shining moment" or "That's fantastic!"

Sorry to hear this MI. It definitely isn't Elgar's shining moment. More like "Elgar shines even when elaborated by Anthony Payne."

[Mirror Image]

Sorry to hear this MI. It definitely isn't Elgar's shining moment. More like "Elgar shines even when elaborated by Anthony Payne."

Well, it's no problem, 71 dB. On a lighter note, I did buy another Kingdom recording (Slatkin), so I'm interested to hear what he brings to the work.

[TheGSMoeller]

Well, it's no problem, 71 dB. On a lighter note, I did buy another Kingdom recording (Slatkin), so I'm interested to hear what he brings to the work.

Although I've heard others, the only Kingdom I own is Slatkin's, who I feel has done an excellent job with Elgar and RVW.

[snyprrr]

gaaah- Elgar and Brian claw their way back to top o'the heap. No wonder I've been in The Diner all day!

[madaboutmahler]

I didn't find anything particularly compelling about any of these sketches, Daniel. As for the Davis performance, I suppose it's good, but it's hard to tell with such uninspired music. I'll leave this for the specialists. I don't plan on listening to this monstrosity again for a very long time...if even then.

Fair enough, John. I haven't heard the performance so can't comment on that.. my favourite is LSO/C.Davis.

I was not a huge fan the first time around, but I have wanted to give this a re-listen and your enthusiasm helped push me to at least listen to the first movement again. So I must say, I have really enjoyed this much more this time around (was probably just in the wrong frame of mind the first time or something). I doubt I will prefer it to either of the first two symphonies, but so glad I didn't give up on the piece. So thanks for providing the motivation.

Oh and PS: That theme you were talking about is outstanding - gorgeous music.

Really glad to hear this, thank you, Neal! Glad to be of service!! Was listening to the first movement myself whilst walking to my piano students this evening, definitely my favourite, and what I consider to be the most successful movement, mostly for the Vera theme 

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gaaah- Elgar and Brian claw their way back to top o'the heap. No wonder I've been in The Diner all day!

Then go back to the 'The Diner'!!!!

[Mirror Image]

Although I've heard others, the only Kingdom I own is Slatkin's, who I feel has done an excellent job with Elgar and RVW.

I'm definitely thinking of picking up Slatkin's box set of Elgar that's be 24-bit remastered. I already own the older box, but I wouldn't mind have the updated sonics. This said, I'm looking forward to listening to his Kingdom.

Right now, I'm about to just go ahead and buy Hickox's Gerontius, Apostles, and Kingdom. Can never have too many recordings of these works.

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On second thought, I'm so happy with my recordings from Elder of these oratorios that I can't really imagine Hickox 'bettering' him in anyway. If I can get Hickox's cheap, like I did that Slatkin Kingdom recording, then I'll definitely consider it at that point.

[Mirror Image]

Just bought:



My understanding is The Banner of St. George isn't one of Elgar's finer moments but I don't own this work and never have heard it before. It will be nice to at least have it in my Elgar collection.

[71 dB]

Just bought:



My understanding is The Banner of St. George isn't one of Elgar's finer moments but I don't own this work and never have heard it before. It will be nice to at least have it in my Elgar collection.

I bought that CD some 15 years ago from a second hand store. I haven't listened to it for a while. I was pretty new to Elgar back when I bought it and I remember thinking "Wow, Elgar really is my kind of composer", when listening to it. I need to revisit the disc, now that you brought it up. 

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I bought that CD some 15 years ago from a second hand store. I haven't listened to it for a while. I was pretty new to Elgar back when I bought it and I remember thinking "Wow, Elgar really is my kind of composer", when listening to it. I need to revisit the disc, now that you brought it up. 

This is great to hear. I suppose this is the only recording available of The Banner of St. George? It's only one that turned up on an Amazon search.

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Finished Elgar's The Light of Life and I certainly didn't feel the same kind of feelings I felt from The Apostles or The Kingdom, but I did hear some very good music and it may not be particular substantial or even noteworthy, it was still worth hearing, which is more than I can say of that abomination Symphony No. 3.

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I'll definitely be giving Caractacus a listen tomorrow. I've heard nothing but great things about it. Anyone know this work? 71 dB? Monkey Greg?

[kishnevi]

This is great to hear. I suppose this is the only recording available of The Banner of St. George? It's only one that turned up on an Amazon search.

It's in the EMI 30CD box (ETA=meaning the same recording, with the other works shown on that CD cover)

Which means that I've listened to it....but have absolutely no actual memory of it to make stand out from the other choral works coupled with it.

[Mirror Image]

It's in the EMI 30CD box (ETA=meaning the same recording, with the other works shown on that CD cover)

Which means that I've listened to it....but have absolutely no actual memory of it to make stand out from the other choral works coupled with it.

Yep, well it's the only recording of this work, which I find strange. I'm sure I'll record some thoughts about it (once I received the recording and listen to it of course).

[Mirror Image]

Really enjoying Symphony No. 2 from this set right now:

[71 dB]

This is great to hear. I suppose this is the only recording available of The Banner of St. George? It's only one that turned up on an Amazon search.

I have to say I never realised it's that rare work!  Sir Mark Elder, are you listening? 

Finished Elgar's The Light of Life and I certainly didn't feel the same kind of feelings I felt from The Apostles or The Kingdom, but I did hear some very good music and it may not be particular substantial or even noteworthy, it was still worth hearing, which is more than I can say of that abomination Symphony No. 3.

Sure, The Apostles and The Kingdom are superior to The Light of Life. However, parts "Thou only hast the words of life" and "I am the Good  Shepperd" are certainly signs of Elgar's genius starting to blossom at that point of his career.

I'll definitely be giving Caractacus a listen tomorrow. I've heard nothing but great things about it. Anyone know this work? 71 dB? Monkey Greg?

Caractacus is better than The Light of Life, but don't expect too much. It's not another The Apostles or The Kingdom.
Severn Suite for full orchestra (orchestrated  by Elgar himself) is a very nice plus on the Hickox disc. I like it a lot, but you might not like it because it's similar "late Elgar" work the 3rd symphony is.

Really enjoying Symphony No. 2 from this set right now:

That's a very nice set of orchestral Elgar. 

[Mirror Image]

I have to say I never realised it's that rare work!  Sir Mark Elder, are you listening? 

Sure, The Apostles and The Kingdom are superior to The Light of Life. However, parts "Thou only hast the words of life" and "I am the Good  Shepperd" are certainly signs of Elgar's genius starting to blossom at that point of his career.

Caractacus is better than The Light of Life, but don't expect too much. It's not another The Apostles or The Kingdom.
Severn Suite for full orchestra (orchestrated  by Elgar himself) is a very nice plus on the Hickox disc. I like it a lot, but you might not like it because it's similar "late Elgar" work the 3rd symphony is.

That's a very nice set of orchestral Elgar. 

I would actually like Elder to record The Spirit of England, too! Since we're talking about more Elgar for him to record. Yes, I did enjoy The Light of Life and I hope to give it another spin in a day or two. On today's menu for Elgar is Caractacus and Severn Suite. I'm really looking forward to hearing those works. BTW, I heard some of Severn Suite and loved it.

I'm really enjoying Slaktin's Elgar this time around. Great performances.