Five Essential Elgar Recordings - your five?

[LMcD]

I assume that I am right in thinking that the Boult Proms performance of Symphony 1 appeared on a BBC MM CD: volume 14 number 12. Recorded 28 July 2976.

Yes - I picked it up in a charity shop recently for £1. It IS available online, but pricey.

[Pabmusic]

Yes - I picked it up in a charity shop recently for £1. It IS available online, but pricey.

It is also still available on ICA:

https://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/classical/products/8005449--sir-adrian-boult-conducts-brahms-elgar

[LMcD]

It is also still available on ICA:

https://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/cl...s-brahms-elgar

This appears to be the same performance of the Elgar, but the BBC MM CD couples it with 'In The South' played by the BBCSO under Leonard Slatkin from 2002. Either way, it's a wonderful performance which I strongly recommend to any admirer of Elgar and/or Sir Adrian!

[BBMmk2]

My friend Tasmin Little, was very thankful to Andrew for his comments about her playing. Must catch up.

[Pulcinella]

This appears to be the same performance of the Elgar, but the BBC MM CD couples it with 'In The South' played by the BBCSO under Leonard Slatkin from 2002. Either way, it's a wonderful performance which I strongly recommend to any admirer of Elgar and/or Sir Adrian!

I (re)listened yesterday afternoon: yes, a very exciting performance.
I'm not sure which of the other versions I have (Barbirolli, Haitink, Handley, Hurst, Thomson) I like best: they all have something to offer.

[cloughie]

I (re)listened yesterday afternoon: yes, a very exciting performance.
I'm not sure which of the other versions I have (Barbirolli, Haitink, Handley, Hurst, Thomson) I like best: they all have something to offer.

I have the recording twice - once on the BBCMM cd and alo on an IMC disc DMDC98, a double CD of Proms recordings.

[Barbirollians]

I have the recording twice - once on the BBCMM cd and alo on an IMC disc DMDC98, a double CD of Proms recordings.

I think that Pickwick 2 CD Proms set was its first appearance on disc - I remember Edward Greenfield raved about the performance in Gramophone .

I have that and the ICA Classics version - the latter is well worth the duplication - the accompanying Brahms 3 is tremendous.

[makropulos]

OK, my five are (today, at least):
Symph 1 Boult LPO 1949 (or the 1976 Prom, which I was at)
Symph 2 Elgar/LSO
Enlgma Mackerras (EMI)
Gerontius: Barbirolli, Baker, Lewis, Borg
Introduction and Allegro Britten/ECO

[Pulcinella]

Somewhat off topic, but continuing the BBC MM concept: any thoughts on their 'equivalent' Symphony 2 release, a live (mono) recording of the BBCSO under Sargent in Colston Hall, Bristol, 29 January 1964?
Must (re)listen to that too; similar 'competition' with other versions on the shelves (Downes not Hurst for the Naxos one, though).
I too like the organ in the Handley.

[Pulcinella]

You are.

Oops: Just realised that you mentioned this (BBC MM cover disc) in your post #17, which I missed.

[Pabmusic]

Oops: Just realised that you mentioned this (BBC MM cover disc) in your post #17, which I missed.

Very dull - well missed.

[LMcD]

I (re)listened yesterday afternoon: yes, a very exciting performance.
I'm not sure which of the other versions I have (Barbirolli, Haitink, Handley, Hurst, Thomson) I like best: they all have something to offer.

I have the same (delightful) problem - Handley, Haitink, Previn, Elgar.

[Dave2002]

Most of us have Barbirolli’s English String music CD, but I have to say that when I bought Marriner’s version of the Introduction and Allegro with the ASMF that I was really surprised at the faster speeds in some sections. I do rather feel that Marriner got that right - it’s certainly worth considering.

At least one of Barbirolli’s Symphony 1 versions is outstanding, but there are several.

I also like Mackerras in the symphonies. One of them is deliberately done with a considerable amount of portamento - think it’s the second, but would have to check.

Solti’s versions of the symphonies are also IMO very good.

[makropulos]

Most of us have Barbirolli’s English String music CD, but I have to say that when I bought Marriner’s version of the Introduction and Allegro with the ASMF that I was really surprised at the faster speeds in some sections. I do rather feel that Marriner got that right - it’s certainly worth considering.

At least one of Barbirolli’s Symphony 1 versions is outstanding, but there are several.

I also like Mackerras in the symphonies. One of them is deliberately done with a considerable amount of portamento - think it’s the second, but would have to check.

Solti’s versions of the symphonies are also IMO very good.

Yes - it is the second in which CM includes portamento. I agree that they are very fine (and listen to them a lot) but I wish the 2nd had been with the same orchestra (LSO) as the 1st.

[cloughie]

Yes - it is the second in which CM includes portamento. I agree that they are very fine (and listen to them a lot) but I wish the 2nd had been with the same orchestra (LSO) as the 1st.

It was the Philharmonia!