Barenboim Elgar 1 - Staatskapelle Berlin

[mathias broucek]

I put something up about this on another thread but it was rather lost in a debate about the Hogwood/Dantone/Bruggen Haydn.

I wanted to bring it up again because it is - for me at least - an enormous success. I've loved Elgar 1 since playing it in the university orchestra c. 1986 and have various very good recordings.

This however is on another level entirely. It's stunningly musical in a way that highlights the important stuff in a subtle and well-integrated way and the sound of the orchestra is breath-taking, especially towards the end of the slow movement. Modern sound helps, I suppose (the next youngest recording I have is Sinopoli). I have quite a bit of Barenboim and this is one of the best things he's done on record IMHO and perhaps the most exciting thing I've bought this year.

It's currently only £11 from Qobuz for 24/96 hi res (£8 for CD quality) and I've just downloaded the earlier recording of the 2nd which has been well reviewed.

Hard copy is £10 with postage from Marketplace

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elgar-Symphony-No-1-Major-Op-55/dp/B018WS9IXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463144782&sr=8-1&keywords=barenboim+Elgar

[visualnickmos]

How does it compare with Barenboim's earlier recording on Sony - LPO, I think? (I haven't checked)

[Petrushka]

I couldn't agree with you more, MB. This is a terrific disc and joins the Solti as my preferred option in this work. The Germanic timbre of the Staatskapelle Berlin might not be to all tastes but how splendidly it suits Elgar's orchestration!

This is a disc that demands to be heard by all who love the Elgar 1 and I'd count myself lucky to hear a finer new issue than this in 2016.

[Barbirollians]

After one hearing not quite sure what to make of it . The playing us extraordinarily beautiful but there is almost a sense of Barenboim trying to out Barbirolli Barbirolli in the richness of the conception . Is it a bit too much ? Then again I listened to it only a day after getting down the extraordinary Boult BBCSo live Proms account on ICA which is stunning.

[mathias broucek]

After one hearing not quite sure what to make of it . The playing us extraordinarily beautiful but there is almost a sense of Barenboim trying to out Barbirolli Barbirolli in the richness of the conception . Is it a bit too much ? Then again I listened to it only a day after getting down the extraordinary Boult BBCSo live Proms account on ICA which is stunning.

The Boult is also special in a different way - I have the earlier incarnation from BBC MM

[Karafan]

Agreed, the Barenboim is a great reading. Sadly, towards the end of the first movement my system picks up a large and intrusive electronic 'crack' which must be a pressing issue as I had MDT replace the CD for me and it appears in exactly the same place on the second disc.

[mathias broucek]

Agreed, the Barenboim is a great reading. Sadly, towards the end of the first movement my system picks up a large and intrusive electronic 'crack' which must be a pressing issue as I had MDT replace the CD for me and it appears in exactly the same place on the second disc.

If you give me the timing, I can check the download version

[reinerfan]

Agreed, the Barenboim is a great reading. Sadly, towards the end of the first movement my system picks up a large and intrusive electronic 'crack' which must be a pressing issue as I had MDT replace the CD for me and it appears in exactly the same place on the second disc.

My disc has no such problems, so keep trying.

[Barbirollians]

No problem with my disc either Karafan - perhaps it is just one batch .

[EdgeleyRob]

After one hearing not quite sure what to make of it . The playing us extraordinarily beautiful but there is almost a sense of Barenboim trying to out Barbirolli Barbirolli in the richness of the conception . Is it a bit too much ? Then again I listened to it only a day after getting down the extraordinary Boult BBCSo live Proms account on ICA which is stunning.

Hmmm,you have a point Barbirollians.
It's a stunning record but I'm not sure I want my Elgar 1 to sound so Brucknerian or even Wagnerian.
I want to say it's a bit over the top but maybe thats the wrong choice of words.
I will however return to it quite often,probably.

[visualnickmos]

Agreed, the Barenboim is a great reading. Sadly, towards the end of the first movement my system picks up a large and intrusive electronic 'crack' which must be a pressing issue as I had MDT replace the CD for me and it appears in exactly the same place on the second disc.

Just a long shot, but any chance they might have actually "accidentally" sent you the same disc back?

[Petrushka]

Just a long shot, but any chance they might have actually "accidentally" sent you the same disc back?

Not a long shot at all! I've suspected this has happened to me in the past! And, yes it was MDT as well.

ER: Wagner and (I believe) Bruckner were composers with whose music Elgar would have known and the very Germanic sound produced by the Staatskapelle Berlin shines a whole new light on Elgar's wonderful orchestration. This is not to invalidate the sound produced by British orchestras, needless to say. It's just different.

[visualnickmos]

Not a long shot at all! I've suspected this has happened to me in the past! And, yes it was MDT as well.

ER: Wagner and (I believe) Bruckner were composers with whose music Elgar would have known and the very Germanic sound produced by the Staatskapelle Berlin shines a whole new light on Elgar's wonderful orchestration. This is not to invalidate the sound produced by British orchestras, needless to say. It's just different.

...and that describes perfectly, one of the great aspects of music; the sheer variation of interpretative styles and techniques.

PS Hope they sort your CD out - and quickly.

[EdgeleyRob]

...and that describes perfectly, one of the great aspects of music; the sheer variation of interpretative styles and techniques. :magic

Can't argue with that VN

ER: Wagner and (I believe) Bruckner were composers with whose music Elgar would have known and the very Germanic sound produced by the Staatskapelle Berlin shines a whole new light on Elgar's wonderful orchestration. This is not to invalidate the sound produced by British orchestras, needless to say. It's just different.

Can't argue with that also Pet.
On first hearing I was really taken aback by the Berlin orchestra's sound although the playing is clearly faultless.
Can't put my finger on it but it almost seemed to me as if the symphony was being forced to sound different or Germanic,I wasn't sure it was what I wanted or expected to hear.
I agree though that it's an outstanding recording.

[Alison]

I don't normally warm to Barenboims conducting so doubt I'll enjoy this very much. Might try out my Apple Music free trial to see if Available.