Boult's Elgar symphonies

[Barbirollians]

I have all his EMI recordings plus the sensational Proms 1 and very good 2 - are the Lyrita recordings essential ? I have a vague recollection that Boult was unhappy at not being able to divide his violins ?

Any views ?

[pastoralguy]

I have that cd so I really must listen to it. I really wish EMI would release Boult's Elgar Second Symphony that he recorded with the Scottish National Orchestra in 1964. Afaik, it's never made it to cd.

[Petrushka]

I have all his EMI recordings plus the sensational Proms 1 and very good 2 - are the Lyrita recordings essential ? I have a vague recollection that Boult was unhappy at not being able to divide his violins ?

Any views ?

In my opinion the Lyrita issues are finer than the EMI recordings made later. Yes, Boult was persuaded against his better judgement to have all of the violins to one side and it seems as if he vented his frustration in a more than usually fiery interpretation of the Second. I wouldn't want to be without Boult in Elgar and these 1968 recordings catch him at just the right time before old age crept in. Essential? Yes I rather think they are.

[Barbirollians]

I have that cd so I really must listen to it. I really wish EMI would release Boult's Elgar Second Symphony that he recorded with the Scottish National Orchestra in 1964. Afaik, it's never made it to cd.

That was on Waverley Records according to the Gramophone review .were they acquired by EMI ?

[Pabmusic]

That was on Waverley Records according to the Gramophone review .were they acquired by EMI ?

It was issued on a CfP LP in the 1970s.

Has anyone mentioned the 1950s Westminster 2nd Symphony? That's been on CD.

He made 5 studio recordings of no. 2, 4 of no. 1.

[Bryn]

That was on Waverley Records according to the Gramophone review .were they acquired by EMI ?

https://www.discogs.com/label/113994-Waverley

See reference to "Parent Label".

[Barbirollians]

Odd then that it was not included in the Complete EMI Recordings of Elgar box of Boult recordings .

[cloughie]

It was issued on a CfP LP in the 1970s.

Has anyone mentioned the 1950s Westminster 2nd Symphony? That's been on CD.

He made 5 studio recordings os 2, 4 of 1.

The Nixa-Westminster is on PVCD8382 and recorded in 1956 in stereo, released in USA on Westminster and mixed for mono for British release on Nixa. It was later released on Golden Guinea in stereo. An excellent performance. Who owns the recording now? Well EMI acquired the old Pye catalogue and some of it wwas reissued on Phoenixa CDs, but since the Warner inheritance of EMI classical stuff, who knows?

[Pabmusic]

The Nixa-Westminster is on PVCD8382 and recorded in 1956 in stereo, released in USA on Westminster and mixed for mono for British release on Nixa. It was later released on Golden Guinea in stereo. An excellent performance.

[EdgeleyRob]

I have all his EMI recordings plus the sensational Proms 1 and very good 2 - are the Lyrita recordings essential ? I have a vague recollection that Boult was unhappy at not being able to divide his violins ?

Any views ?

Yes

[cloughie]

Yes

[Barbirollians]

Ok am convinced - duly ordered .

[Barbirollians]

I am rather underwhelmed by these recordings so far . There is a narrowness about the aural perspective that I find a bit off putting and although they have many of Boult's usual virtues they seem to me to lack vim compared to my favourite Boult recordings of these works . The sensational late Proms recording of No in 1976 and the 1944 Elgar 2 which I have always loved since buying it on HMV Treasury on cassette in the 1980s .

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

As interpretations, I think the Lyrita versions are Boult's pinnacle in these works, and I've never been bothered one way or the other re the divided strings.

However, I just wish the Halle Orchestra would not divide their violins in the Bridgewater Hall. It just makes the seconds sound weaker.

[Petrushka]

I am rather underwhelmed by these recordings so far . There is a narrowness about the aural perspective that I find a bit off putting and although they have many of Boult's usual virtues they seem to me to lack vim compared to my favourite Boult recordings of these works . The sensational late Proms recording of No in 1976 and the 1944 Elgar 2 which I have always loved since buying it on HMV Treasury on cassette in the 1980s .

My reaction on hearing these Boult performances for the first time couldn't have been more different. Yes, the live Proms performances from 1976 and 1977 have an extra frisson of excitement but have to agree with EA that the Lyrita recordings represent the pinnacle of Boult's achievement in these works.