Elgar's Hillside

[71 dB]

Elgar has got tons of obscure small works. Just this week I heard three solo piano works by Elgar I haven't heard before (Laura Valse, March in D major and Impromptu). I have heard quite a lot of Elgar, but it's hard for anyone to reach over 95 %.

[André]

Chips off the workbench: sometimes there is a piece in a larger work that is SO elgarian that the larger work survives and is recorded as a consequence. Spirit of England, Caractacus, Crown of India and even the Pomp and Circumstance Marches are such works.

Then there are those that are SO consistently inspired that they have survived in the general repertoire: the two symphonies, the two concertos, Falstaff, the Serenade, Enigma, Gerontius.

And then there is the rest of the corpus, for example: the two oratorios, King Olaf, etc. The confirmed elgarian needs no encomium, but the neophyte might want to have an inkling of what's out there for him/her.

[madaboutmahler]

This new Gerontius is getting outstanding reviews, has anyone heard it yet?
[asin]B00N83U9WU[/asin]

My favourite part of the piece just has to be the end of Part 1 with the bass solo. Gorgeous stuff.... And the overture.

[Mirror Image]

This new Gerontius is getting outstanding reviews, has anyone heard it yet?
[asin]B00N83U9WU[/asin]

My favourite part of the piece just has to be the end of Part 1 with the bass solo. Gorgeous stuff.... And the overture.

I have not heard this recording, Daniel, but I have doubts that it will top my current favorite: Elder/Halle. My favorite part of Gerontius is the last section: Softly and gently, dearly-ransomed soul. Truly sublime.

[springrite]

I have not heard this recording, Daniel, but I have doubts that it will top my current favorite: Elder/Halle. My favorite part of Gerontius is the last Softly and gently, dearly-ransomed soul section. Truly sublime.

But the Davis is lime.

[Mirror Image]

But the Davis is lime.

Have you heard this new Gerontius recording, Paul?

[springrite]

Have you heard this new Gerontius recording, Paul?

I have, I think, Colin Davis, on LSO LIVE.

[Mirror Image]

I have, I think, Colin Davis, on LSO LIVE.

Ah, but you haven't heard the new Andrew Davis recording of Gerontius?

[springrite]

Ah, but you haven't heard the new Andrew Davis recording of Gerontius?

No, I love the work but it is not one what I feel compelled to seek multiple recordings (which I will probably never have the time to listen.)

[jfdrex]

I love the big, romantic works:  the symphonies, the violin concerto, The Dream of Gerontius (a work that sends shivers down my spine; I've got a half dozen recordings & have heard it several times in concert, including a Colin Davis performance in New York), etc.  But the small, supposedly "minor" works--of which Salut d'Amour" is probably the best know--also have immense charm.

To my mind, the most perfect of these miniatures is the brief "Adieu," dated 1932 (but who knows when he really composed it?)  Elgar wrote it for piano:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8jumthCBVs

And Joseph Szigeti made a haunting arrangement for violin and piano, working in the main theme from the first movement of the Elgar Violin Concerto:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LITaK-cHF1Q

These two disks are essential listening for anyone who loves Elgar's music:

[asin]http://B00002R13T[/asin]

[asin]http://B00005AULD[/asin]

Bisengaliev uses Elgar's own violin and bow in these recordings.

[71 dB]

These two disks are essential listening for anyone who loves Elgar's music:

[asin]http://B00002R13T[/asin]

[asin]http://B00005AULD[/asin]

Bisengaliev uses Elgar's own violin and bow in these recordings.

I bought these discs over 10 years ago. Etudes Characteristiques for Solo Violin Op. 24 is wicked! 

Now these two discs are available as part of this 3 CD Naxos set:

[asin]B004TWOX6W[/asin]

[mc ukrneal]

I love the big, romantic works:  the symphonies, the violin concerto, The Dream of Gerontius (a work that sends shivers down my spine; I've got a half dozen recordings & have heard it several times in concert, including a Colin Davis performance in New York), etc.  But the small, supposedly "minor" works--of which Salut d'Amour" is probably the best know--also have immense charm.

To my mind, the most perfect of these miniatures is the brief "Adieu," dated 1932 (but who knows when he really composed it?)  Elgar wrote it for piano:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8jumthCBVs

And Joseph Szigeti made a haunting arrangement for violin and piano, working in the main theme from the first movement of the Elgar Violin Concerto:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LITaK-cHF1Q

These two disks are essential listening for anyone who loves Elgar's music:

[asin]B00002R13T[/asin]

[asin]B00005AULD[/asin]

Bisengaliev uses Elgar's own violin and bow in these recordings.

Interesting. These are new to me - will take a gander.

By the way, when you post images using asin, you just need the asin code (without http). I fixed in my post and you can see that the links now work properly.

[Leo K.]

Wow, the Hilary Hahn/Colin Davis account of the Violin Concerto is fantastic!

[Mirror Image]

Wow, the Hilary Hahn/Colin Davis account of the Violin Concerto is fantastic!

I would enjoy it a lot more if Davis wouldn't grunt through it.

[Mirror Image]

My favorite performance of Elgar's Violin Concerto right now is Tasmin Little's on Chandos. Truly exemplary performance. Check it out, Leo!

[Moonfish]

My favorite performance of Elgar's Violin Concerto right now is Tasmin Little's on Chandos. Truly exemplary performance. Check it out, Leo!

Better than Hahn?!?!?!?!   

[Mirror Image]

Better than Hahn?!?!?!?!   

Don't get me wrong I like Hahn's playing a lot but it's Davis who makes this recording unlistenable. Hahn's performance is excellent. The reason I prefer Little is because I believe she plays it more along the lines as I would like to hear it. She's an emotional violinist and also completely in-tune with the twists and turns in this concerto. Andrew Davis' accompaniment is also spot-on.

[Leo K.]

My favorite performance of Elgar's Violin Concerto right now is Tasmin Little's on Chandos. Truly exemplary performance. Check it out, Leo!

Thanks John I will listen to the Tasmin on Spotify

Really in the Elgar mood this winter!

[Mirror Image]

Thanks John I will listen to the Tasmin on Spotify

Really in the Elgar mood this winter!

Sounds good, Leo. It seems I get into an Elgar/RVW mood around January.

[Mirror Image]

Coming in February:



The prospect of another performance of The Spirit of England has me drooling. The other works look quite interesting as well.