Elgar 2 centenary - 24 May 2011

[pastoralguy]

I'll play the Gibson/SNO version fron the 70's. Got to keep then flag flying!

I bought those Elgar boxed sets when they first appeard in the early 90's. £45 a pop according to the receipts.

Oddly enough, I found a set in Oxfam a few weeks ago £4.99 per box! I'm using them as a star Christmas present for my best friend.

[Alison]

Thanks for this info.

If I can locate it I will play the Boult Lyrita which seems perhaps the most
comprehensive account of those I have encountered.

[Petrushka]

I have a very soft spot for the Vernon Handley account on Classics for Pleasure and in particular for the tummy-wobbling organ pedal at the climax of the finale. I do seem to have acquired rather a large number of Elgar 2 recordings over the years but haven't heard it quite so much in concert. Bernard Haitink leads the field in the concert hall with three performances while I have all of Boult's recordings on disc.

[Nick Armstrong]

I have a very soft spot for the Vernon Handley account on Classics for Pleasure and in particular for the tummy-wobbling organ pedal at the climax of the finale.

[EdgeleyRob]

I love this symphony, just to be different I will play RPO Mackerras.

[BBMmk2]

I think I be playing Barbirolli's version on Tuesday(if I have time!) A busy day for me!

[visualnickmos]

Petrushka,

I echo your sentiments here... although Andrew Davis is pretty damn good as well.
I'll add him to the list.

[BBMmk2]

Sir Andrew Davis?Is it on the Teldec label?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I echo your sentiments here... although Andrew Davis is pretty damn good as well.

Very true. His version combines Barbirolli's sumptuousness with a greater feeling of forward momentum.

[Norfolk Born]

I'm currently listening to Barbirolli's 1964 recording with the Halle.

[Barbirollians]

If you can get your paws on a 'live' Elgar symphony no 1 conducted by Sir Adrian at the Proms in 1976 (?) it's an absolute winner, with a barn-storming final movement, Ofca.

I can't believe that I have friends who think that the Elgar symphonies are 'dull imperialist rubbish'

I quite agree - that Proms Elgar 1 is stupendous outclasses his studio recordings ( well the EMI and LYrita ) I reckon . If you search Proms Centenary on Amazon there are a few copies still about including a second hand one for 95 p !

[Barbirollians]

As for Elgar 2 a mention must be made of Boult's wartime recording- breathtakingly beautiful - on an HMV Treasury disc some years back with a thrilling Introduction and Allegro

[salymap]

I shall try to play Boult/LPO on LP,Golden Guinea series, GGC 4002 or/and Sargent/BBCSO, recorded at the Colston Hall, Bristol in 1964 on CD. I also have several tapes but too time consuming to look for them at the moment.

[Suffolkcoastal]

I only have one recording (as is the norm for me) Handley's which gives me great pleasure. I'll probably play it again in a few weeks when I reach Elgar in my own score following marathon!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I only have one recording (as is the norm for me)

That's very sensible - I wish I could stop buying Alpine Symphony recordings

...when I reach Elgar in my own score following marathon!

Tell us more about this.