Elgar's Hillside

[Mirror Image]

Definitely have a listen to the Elder, it's beautiful!
No, I've only listened to those recordings so far; suggestions are always warmly welcome, but before checking out other performances of Falstaff, I would prefer to explore Elgar's works I haven't heard yet. The Apostles will be the next one.

Yes, check out The Apostles. Beautiful work. Have you heard the Violin Concerto? I'm pretty sure you have but I couldn't remember.

[Mirror Image]

Definitely Elder for me too, and I own quite a few recordings of it. So much more lively, really fantastic playing. Looking forward to hearing what you think, John.

Glad you're enjoying Elgar so much, you know he's been one of my favourites from the very start.

Yes, I know you've loved Elgar's music from the very start. I would say it didn't take long for this composer to work his magic on ears either.

[Lisztianwagner]

Yes, check out The Apostles. Beautiful work. Have you heard the Violin Concerto? I'm pretty sure you have but I couldn't remember.

I have, actually it's one of the first Elgar's compositions I've ever listened to. A very passionate and powerful work, the sound of the violin is elegant and elaborated (what a beautiful candenza in the third movement), but at the same time lyrical and poetical, and wonderfully supported by the orchestral playing. It's good! awfully emotional! too emotional, but I love it.

[71 dB]

I have, actually it's one of the first Elgar's compositions I've ever listened to. A very passionate and powerful work, the sound of the violin is elegant and elaborated (what a beautiful candenza in the third movement), but at the same time lyrical and poetical, and wonderfully supported by the orchestral playing. It's good! awfully emotional! too emotional, but I love it.

The Violin Concerto was one of the first works by Elgar I heard too. I think I had only heard Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, Enigma Variations and Salut d'amour before it. Such a magical work and in my opinion somewhat overlooked.

[Mirror Image]

I have, actually it's one of the first Elgar's compositions I've ever listened to. A very passionate and powerful work, the sound of the violin is elegant and elaborated (what a beautiful candenza in the third movement), but at the same time lyrical and poetical, and wonderfully supported by the orchestral playing. It's good! awfully emotional! too emotional, but I love it.

Glad you enjoy the work and, indeed, it's exquisite.

[Mirror Image]

The Violin Concerto was one of the first works by Elgar I heard too. I think I had only heard Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, Enigma Variations and Salut d'amour before it. Such a magical work and in my opinion somewhat overlooked.

I'm not sure what the first Elgar work I heard. Probably the Cello Concerto (du Pre/Barbirolli) and I knew after the first couple of measures of the first movement that this music was going to be quite special to me.

[Mirror Image]

I received some Elgarian goodies in the mail today...

- Symphonies 1 & 2, In the South (Alassio), and Organ Sonata (arr. Gordon Jacob), Richard Hickox, BBC National Orchestral of Wales, Chandos
- Enigma Variations, Falstaff, Simon Rattle, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, EMI
- Wand of Youth Suites 1 & 2, Nursery Suite, Dream Children, Bryden Thomson, Norman Del Mar, Ulster Orchestra, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Chandos

[Karl Henning]

I'm not sure what the first Elgar work I heard.

Oh, in my ears, certainly the famous P&C march, though of course I had heard the tune for the Trio (Land of Soap & Borax) long before I heard the entire March.

After that, probably the first I heard was the Enigma Vars.  Which I liked all right, but they didn't really "sell" me on Elgar.

The experience which really shook me by the collar, so that I took Elgar more seriously, was turning pages for Nigel Kennedy's accompanist when he played the Violin Sonata in Old Cabell Hall at UVa.

[Mirror Image]

Oh, in my ears, certainly the famous P&C march, though of course I had heard the tune for the Trio (Land of Soap & Borax) long before I heard the entire March.

After that, probably the first I heard was the Enigma Vars.  Which I liked all right, but they didn't really "sell" me on Elgar.

The experience which really shook me by the collar, so that I took Elgar more seriously, was turning pages for Nigel Kennedy's accompanist when he played the Violin Sonata in Old Cabell Hall at UVa.

Oh wow, Karl. Sounds you like had a much more intimate encounter with Elgar's music as you were apart of the music-making. I'm sure an experience like that would stay with me for a long time as well. I'm sure Kennedy sounded wonderful that night. His recording of the Violin Concerto (w/ Handley) is one of my favorite Elgar performances. I wish I could see Elgar's music in the concert hall, but he doesn't get performed all that much by the ASO.

[71 dB]

The experience which really shook me by the collar, so that I took Elgar more seriously, was turning pages for Nigel Kennedy's accompanist when he played the Violin Sonata in Old Cabell Hall at UVa.

Interesting story Karl! When was this and who was Nigel Kennedy's accompanist?

Hopefully Enigma Variations has grown on you since... 

[Karl Henning]

At the University of Virginia in the late-ish '80s.  I wish I recalled the pianist's name!

[71 dB]

At the University of Virginia in the late-ish '80s.  I wish I recalled the pianist's name!

Peter Pettinger perhaps?

Elgar's violin sonata really shook you by the collar so you don't remember her/his name. 

How did get that in that situation Karl? You volunteered?

[Karl Henning]

My shoulder was tapped.  The fellow who organized the series (TECS it was called, Tuesday Evening Concert Series) was looking for a page-turner, and I was in the graduate student office.

[kishnevi]

I'm not sure what the first Elgar work I heard. Probably the Cello Concerto (du Pre/Barbirolli) and I knew after the first couple of measures of the first movement that this music was going to be quite special to me.

Land of Soap and Borax was the first I remember--at my high school graduation.  After that, I don't remember any Elgar (probably on the radio,  but lost in the airwaves of memory) until I bought a CD with the Enigma Variations coupled with Maisky's recording of the Cello Concerto,  and the Dream of Gerontius came along not long afterward (in Boult's recording).

[Mirror Image]

Land of Soap and Borax was the first I remember--at my high school graduation.  After that, I don't remember any Elgar (probably on the radio,  but lost in the airwaves of memory) until I bought a CD with the Enigma Variations coupled with Maisky's recording of the Cello Concerto,  and the Dream of Gerontius came along not long afterward (in Boult's recording).

I'll have to dig back out Sinopoli's Elgar recordings. I remember not being too impressed with them. If I recall, doesn't he drag the movements out in the symphonies for example?

[TheGSMoeller]

I'll have to dig back out Sinopoli's Elgar recordings. I remember not being too impressed with them. If I recall, doesn't he drag the movements out in the symphonies for example?

Broad, rather than drag. And even with the slower tempos here Elgar's music never feels sluggish, it still retains the intensity and drive.
Try it, you'll like it! 

[Mirror Image]

Broad, rather than drag. And even with the slower tempos here Elgar's music never feels sluggish, it still retains the intensity and drive.
Try it, you'll like it! 

Okay, I'll give them a listen this weekend.

[TheGSMoeller]

Okay, I'll give them a listen this weekend.

Of course the 2nd receives more benefits from Sinopoli's style. It did take a while for me to warm up to his 1st recording, but I love it now.
In fact, it's been a while since I've spun Sinopoli's Enigma disc, perhaps later...

...I'm getting Elgaritus.

[Mirror Image]

Of course the 2nd receives more benefits from Sinopoli's style. It did take a while for me to warm up to his 1st recording, but I love it now.
In fact, it's been a while since I've spun Sinopoli's Enigma disc, perhaps later...

...I'm getting Elgaritus.

Ah, yes. Well both symphonies require a different frame of mind and no conductor's approach always works for both, which is why I prefer a more middle-of-the-road interpretation like Andrew Davis' and now even Slatkin's. But it's fun to mix things up sometimes and throw in some Solti or Barbirolli.

I did receive some Elgarian goodies in the mail today...

Enigma Variations, Pomp & Circumstance Marches 1-5, Cockaigne Overture, Sir Georg Solti, CSO, LPO, Decca
Symphonies 1 & 2, Cockaigne Overture, Sea Pictures, Sir Charles Mackerras, Della Jones, LSO, Royal Phil., Decca

[71 dB]

I have Sinopoli's 2nd. I have listened to it only once and I found it weird. Maybe I listen to it again in the near future...
I also need to revisit Elder's 2nd...

I did receive some Elgarian goodies in the mail today...

Enigma Variations, Pomp & Circumstance Marches 1-5, Cockaigne Overture, Sir Georg Solti, CSO, LPO, Decca
Symphonies 1 & 2, Cockaigne Overture, Sea Pictures, Sir Charles Mackerras, Della Jones, LSO, Royal Phil., Decca

That's nice, but do you have Elgar's more obscure works* or do you buy canonical Elgar over and over again? 

* I have to confess there's many small works (songs etc.) by Elgar I haven't heard.