Elgar "Introduction and Allegro" recommendations

[richardfinegold]

I wanted to listen to this work, as I am currently immersed in Elgar recordings, but it seems to have gone missing from my collection. I was introduced this almost 40 years ago when I heard the touring LPO/Haitink perform it in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Can my British counterparts recommend a couple of versions? I would prefer one classic stereo recording and one high resolution choice (as this work would seem to almost require a detailed recording with a deep soundstage).

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The Classic EMI Barbirolli with the Sinfonia of London has to be a contender, but I also admire Marriner and the ASMF on Decca. However, my favourite one is Britten's recording, also on Decca - he paces it all so beautifully.

[vibratoforever]

The string playing on Barbirolli's recording is superb and he makes so much of the piece. One of the couplings, the Serenade for Strings, is equally impressive notably in the slow movement -passionate and deeply moving.

[Tony Halstead]

The string playing on Barbirolli's recording is superb and he makes so much of the piece. One of the couplings, the Serenade for Strings, is equally impressive notably in the slow movement -passionate and deeply moving.

The early stereo recording of Barbirolli with his beloved Hallé on Pye/ Nixa ( 1957?) is IMV superior to the EMI /'Sinfonia of London' ( a pick-up band) performance, both musically and 'sonically'. I believe it is now available from the Barbirolli Society.

[Mr Pee]

Christopher Warren-Green and the London Chamber Orchestra released an excellent version some years ago on Virgin Classics. It immediately became my number one choice for a modern recording and came as close as any I've heard to the Barbirolli.

Not sure whether it's still available though...

[Tony Halstead]

Christopher Warren-Green and the London Chamber Orchestra released an excellent version some years ago on Virgin Classics. It immediately became my number one choice for a modern recording and came as close as any I've heard to the Barbirolli.

Not sure whether it's still available though...

It's on Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vaughan-Williams-Elgar-English-String/dp/B000002SRZ/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1377159124&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=elgar+introduciton+and+allegro+christopher+warren+green

[BBMmk2]

The early stereo recording of Barbirolli with his beloved Hallé on Pye/ Nixa ( 1957?) is IMV superior to the EMI /'Sinfonia of London' ( a pick-up band) performance, both musically and 'sonically'. I believe it is now available from the Barbirolli Society.

This is the only version to have.

[Tony Halstead]

This is the only version to have.

Absolutely agreed!

[visualnickmos]

The early stereo recording of Barbirolli with his beloved Hallé on Pye/ Nixa ( 1957?) is IMV superior to the EMI /'Sinfonia of London' ( a pick-up band) performance, both musically and 'sonically'. I believe it is now available from the Barbirolli Society.

It's here - a simply marvellous CD.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elgar-Cello-Conc-Halle-Orchestra/dp/B000002S2G/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1377162297&sr=1-2&keywords=elgar+navarra

[amateur51]

I first 'learned' this magnificent piece via a recording by the Academy of St Martin's in the Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner. And then I discovered versions by Barbirolli and I haven't listened to the Marriner since, though I'd much like to.

One fascinating version that was brought to listeners' attention by Messrs Swain & Cowan years ago on Radio Three was that by the Boston symphony orchestera under Charles Munch. It's just that bit different from the mainstream, different priorities, perhaps just the recording, but I'm very fond of it, not as a first choice but as a fascinating alternative.

It's available cheaply coupled with a splendid 'live' performance in the Royal Albert Hall in 1985 by BBCSO/Sir Colin Davis of Elgar symphony no 1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elgar-Orchestral-Works-Sir-Edward/dp/B000025LK4/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1377162868&sr=1-3&keywords=Elgar+Munch

What a rich variety we have, to be sure

[PJPJ]

The early stereo recording of Barbirolli with his beloved Hallé on Pye/ Nixa ( 1957?) is IMV superior to the EMI /'Sinfonia of London' ( a pick-up band) performance, both musically and 'sonically'. I believe it is now available from the Barbirolli Society.

Excellent Enigma to have, too. Intense readings made all the more enjoyable by Fine recordings.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Excellent Enigma to have, too. Intense readings made all the more enjoyable by Fine recordings.

Yes indeed. The Fines were the jewel in the crown of those Pye recordings, though the pressings could be quite dreadful.

[PJPJ]

Yes indeed. The Fines were the jewel in the crown of those Pye recordings, though the pressings could be quite dreadful.

The accompanying Dvorak release has two of the symphonies recorded by the Fines; of the Tchaikovsky set I know no details.

[LaurieWatt]

I wanted to listen to this work, as I am currently immersed in Elgar recordings, but it seems to have gone missing from my collection. I was introduced this almost 40 years ago when I heard the touring LPO/Haitink perform it in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Can my British counterparts recommend a couple of versions? I would prefer one classic stereo recording and one high resolution choice (as this work would seem to almost require a detailed recording with a deep soundstage).

Richard, I do not wish to disagree with any of the very knowledgeable and experienced recommendations on the thread so far a number of which I also have, but, if you liked what Haitink and the LPO did with it you might like to investigate their recording of it on the LPO label - http://shop.lpo.org.uk/shop/Recordin...asp?35,0,0,0,0. I looked on Amazon.com but could only find downloads but then that might suit you well. However, you can acquire it as on the link above.

[Bryn]

... 'Sinfonia of London' ( a pick-up band) ...

Otherwise, and perhaps less derogatorily, known as the session orchestra founded by flautist Gordon Walker and which called on the services of some of the finest orchestral musicians in London, plus other leading session players, i.e a bit like an up-market English version of the Columbia Symphony Orchestra conducted for recording purposes by the likes of Bruno Walter and Igor Stravinsky. Regrettably the original Sinfonia of London folded in the mid-60s, and the name was bought up for use in conjunction with later film work, much of it for what became Hollywood blockbusters, (none of which detracts in any way from Barbirolli's superb earlier recording).

I'm currently awaiting delivery of the Stuttgarters/Norrington recording, which will be relatively free from modern wibbly-wobbly accretions.