BaL 8.10.16 - Elgar: Falstaff, Symphonic Study

[seabright]

Gosh is that the Mitch Miller of Singalong fame? Talented chap and I'd love to hear the discs, let's hope the CD Review editor/presenter occasionally scan these boards and take the review hint. Such an unusual and unexpected disc.

Yes, that is the very same Mitch Miller who switched between pops and classics with equal facility. Here he is with the "Colonel Bogey" March from 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGNWAzTR7C0

And here he is as Mitchell Miller playing the cor anglais for a Stokowski recording of "The Swan of Tuonela" ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZclUBi8ZbM8

And yes, let's hope the Bernard Herrmann "Falstaff" on 'Pristine' gets a mention on BAL though I rather doubt that it will.

[pastoralguy]

[Bryn]

Or you can get the score plus Elgar's essay and an introduction by someone called Brookes from Musikproduktion Hoeflich of Munich. I can't get their website at the moment.

Here it is: https://repertoire-explorer.musikmph...gue-list-view/ Score no. 621.

Or specifically https://repertoire-explorer.musikmph...lgar-edward-3/

[pastoralguy]

Very interesting BaL this morning, IMHO. Lots of examples with well reasoned rationale. Did the LPO/ Mackerras version get a mention? This is one of these occasions where there isn't really a 'bad' version. I'd be quite happy with any of them.

[BBMmk2]

Well, the reviewer did highlight for example Rattle's handling of the funeral march, saying it was rather too fast, barbs. just one example. I quite agree that Handley's version did come up trumps, here.

[pastoralguy]

Well, the reviewer did highlight for example Rattle's handling of the funeral march, saying it was rather too fast, barbs. just one example. I quite agree that Handley's version did come up trumps, here.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Did the LPO/ Mackerras version get a mention?

Yes, and a very favourable one, too - after which, I don't think it was mentioned again?!

I agree, well-rationaled (?! ). Interesting that (many, many years ago - late '70s/early '80s) Michael Kennedy rejected the Handley and opted for the Barbirolli and Barenboim (the earlier one that Mr Nice completely rejected) for exactly the same reasons (an ideal balance of the narrative and the structural) for which DN gave his choice of Handley! As I had the Handley on LP at that time, and didn't enjoy listening to it at all, I went for the Barbirolli (the Barenboim wasn't in the shop) and much preferred it - but the Handley sounded considerably better than I remembered it in the excerpts played this morning.

I shall also indulge in the Barenboim DVD, which sounded astonishingly good.

[ahinton]

I shall also indulge in the Barenboim DVD, which sounded astonishingly good.

Barenboim certainly has a most persuasive way with Elgar's orchestral music.

Best performance of Falstaff that I ever heard, however, was from a conductor who, AFAIK, has yet to record it - Oliver Knussen.

[Barbirollians]

I remain fond of the Handley and I do tend to agree this is not quite the best of Boult in this piece . The Barbirolli was a good runner up . I just got hold of a cheap copy of the Mackerras very impressed on first acquaintance .

[DoctorT]

i have most of Handley's Elgar recordings but not Falstaff. Intrigued to hear AMcG mention an upcoming Handley collection: about time! Did anyone else notice DN's comment that he didn't generally like Barenboim 's recent Elgar symphony recordings?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Did anyone else notice DN's comment that he didn't generally like Barenboim 's recent Elgar symphony recordings?

Yes - an interesting comment, I thought. I've grown much closer to those recordings, having disliked the Second on first hearing (fantastic start - those horns! - but several "emergency brakings" before too long). Not my favourite performances of the works, but I'm glad I was given them.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

From the BBC Radio 3 website:

Top recommendation:
ELGAR: Falstaff*; Wand of Youth Suites Nos. 1 and 2
London Philharmonic Orchestra*, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley (conductor)
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 5737222 (download and CD)
Other recordings:
Below is a shortlist of other recordings which David Nice also liked, although we can’t guarantee the availability of these discs.
Historical Recommendation:

Elgar conducts Elgar
London Symphony Orchestra, Edward Elgar (conductor)
NAXOS 8111256 (CD)
Alternative Recommendation:

Sir John Barbirolli conducts Elgar
Halle Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli (conductor)
WARNER CLASSICS 0954442 (5CD)
Recommendation on DVD:

Europakonzert 2014 from Berlin
Berliner Philharmoniker, Daniel Barenboim (conductor)
EUROARTS 2059858 (DVD Video)

***********************


A very topsy-turvy list, giving the impression that the recommended version is generally available, whilst the other listed versions may not be.


The reverse is nearer the truth.

[Barbirollians]

From the BBC Radio 3 website:

Top recommendation:
ELGAR: Falstaff*; Wand of Youth Suites Nos. 1 and 2
London Philharmonic Orchestra*, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley (conductor)
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 5737222 (download and CD)
Other recordings:
Below is a shortlist of other recordings which David Nice also liked, although we can’t guarantee the availability of these discs.
Historical Recommendation:

Elgar conducts Elgar
London Symphony Orchestra, Edward Elgar (conductor)
NAXOS 8111256 (CD)
Alternative Recommendation:

Sir John Barbirolli conducts Elgar
Halle Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli (conductor)
WARNER CLASSICS 0954442 (5CD)
Recommendation on DVD:

Europakonzert 2014 from Berlin
Berliner Philharmoniker, Daniel Barenboim (conductor)
EUROARTS 2059858 (DVD Video)

***********************


A very topsy-turvy list, giving the impression that the recommended version is generally available, whilst the other listed versions may not be.


The reverse is nearer the truth.

On Amazon there are copies of the other CfP coupling which it was coupled with on the original LP of the Intro and Allegro and Cockaigne . A very good Cockaigne I recall .

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

On Amazon there are copies of the other CfP coupling which it was coupled with on the original LP of the Intro and Allegro and Cockaigne . A very good Cockaigne I recall .

But not generally available - yet.

[Pulcinella]

On Amazon there are copies of the other CfP coupling which it was coupled with on the original LP of the Intro and Allegro and Cockaigne . A very good Cockaigne I recall .

I think that there were cheaper options for the coupling including the Serenade when I posted the link in message #4; snapped up, no doubt.
I have this earlier release that Barbirolli mentions.
Also discovered that I have the Tovey essay, so must read that too.