Elgar Violin Concerto - Boult: Which version?

[Sir Monty Golfear]

Thought I would dig out this thread as usually when I want to listen to Ida H in this concerto I go for the Rattle 1984 Prom performance .

So thought I would give the Haendel/Boult another spin . Yes it is slow but heavens is it beautifully played by both soloist and orchestra . She really does make every note say something and the glow of the accompaniment is gorgeous .

I agree with you....I reckon overall it is my favourite version. It really does it every time .
Cheers Ian

[Tony Halstead]

Isn't the Campoli version with Boult a delight ? Every time I play it I fall for it more and more .

Exactly so!
It's definitely one of my Desert Island recordings.

[Barbirollians]

It is indeed a marvel on the Beulah transfer . I sometimes feel he has the sweetest tone of any violinist I have ever heard .

I like his Beethoven with Krips but would love a reissue of his later stereo version on EMI .

I feel that the Elgar Violin Concerto is the work which I have most recordings of that I really enjoy - both Haendel records, both 1932 and 1966 Menuhin, Kennedy/Handley, Chung,Zehetmair,Bean , Sammons ,Heifetz ,Perlman and Zukerman - all splendid in different ways .

Only the Little ( slow and it sounds like it ) and the Ehnes do I find disappointing and the Kennedy/Rattle is great in parts but sometimes just a bit over the top .

[Parry1912]

I sometimes feel he has the sweetest tone of any violinist I have ever heard .

I know what you mean.

... the Kennedy/Rattle is great in parts but sometimes just a bit over the top .

But didn't Elgar describe the work as "awfully emotional! Too emotional!" (or words to that effect). I think it can stand a bit of 'over the top'!

[amateur51]

I know what you mean.



But didn't Elgar describe the work as "awfully emotional! Too emotional!" (or words to that effect). I think it can stand a bit of 'over the top'!

x2

[Barbirollians]

I know what you mean.



But didn't Elgar describe the work as "awfully emotional! Too emotional!" (or words to that effect). I think it can stand a bit of 'over the top'!

I agree with that entirely - no there is something a bit laid on with a trowel about the Kennedy/Rattle that makes it not seem quite from the heart but I would have it over Little, Ehnes and Hahn any day . I love emotional Elgar hence Barbirolli's symphonies and the du Pre Cello Concerto recordings are at the top of my trees .

[akiralx]

I like most of the famous and/or recent recordings, apart from Hahn (a pity because her Brahms is sensational) and Zehetmair.

One fine recent live recording I will mention because no-one else has is Gil Shaham with the Chicago SO under Zinman on Canary Classics (Shaham's own label).

[amateur51]

I like most of the famous and/or recent recordings, apart from Hahn (a pity because her Brahms is sensational) and Zehetmair.

One fine recent live recording I will mention because no-one else has is Gil Shaham with the Chicago SO under Zinman on Canary Classics (Shaham's own label).

I'm grateful to you for mentioning the Shaham performance, akiralx. I admire his playing and have comtemplated getting to know his Elgar and your positive mention has spurred me on

[Barbirollians]

Did you get it and what do you think of it ams ?

I have been listening to Kennedy/Handley this morning - no wonder it won an award it really is a stunningly beautiful account and his playing is superb and no hint of over the toppery!

[Pabmusic]

Did you get it and what do you think of it ams ?

I have been listening to Kennedy/Handley this morning - no wonder it won an award it really is a stunningly beautiful account and his playing is superb and no hint of over the toppery!

I attended a performance at St John's, Smith Sq. at about the time of the recording. Nige was a smart young thing who just played rather than acted.

[Barbirollians]

Yes I remember him doing the same at the RFH in the Tchaikovsky at about the same time and also in Sheffield when he played the Britten in 1986 . He told my violinist friend and me afterwards when he was record signing that it was the first he had ever played it and asked what we thought ! No trace of a Cockney accent. We students were so stunned we just said nice platitudes and as I recall he was very complimentary about Ida H in the work .

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

He did it in Scarborough Spa Grand Hall in 1988. Most memorable, and he was smartly dressed with no chip on his shoulder.

[Sir Monty Golfear]

Did you get it and what do you think of it ams ?

I have been listening to Kennedy/Handley this morning - no wonder it won an award it really is a stunningly beautiful account and his playing is superb and no hint of over the toppery!

[Roehre]

... I love emotional Elgar hence Barbirolli's symphonies and the du Pre Cello Concerto recordings are at the top of my trees .

makes two of us.

[visualnickmos]

makes two of us.

Three, and counting