BaL 14.01.12 - Elgar: Violin Concerto

[gradus]

From the comments above, I think I may need to listen more interpretations of this piece. I have the Menuhin and Zukerman recordings and both always seemed to me to find the heart of the music. I listened to the Zehetmair performance on Rob's programme yesterday but found it on the cool side of the passionate involvement that I look for in this music. With this personal prejudice in mind could other boarders suggest performances in which the passion is more evident?

[Pabmusic]

I have the Menuhin and Zukerman recordings and both always seemed to me to find the heart of the music. I listened to the Zehetmair performance on Rob's programme yesterday but found it on the cool side of the passionate involvement that I look for in this music. With this personal prejudice in mind could other boarders suggest performances in which the passion is more evident?

You don't say which Menuhin version you have, but I'd say that Menuhin/Elgar is essential (though of course it dates from 1932), Menuhin/Boult desirable. But the one I'd recommend wholeheartedly is Hugh Bean/Groves - the trouble is that it may not be easy to find at the moment, at least at a decent price.

[amateur51]

You don't say which Menuhin version you have, but I'd say that Menuhin/Elgar is essential (though of course it dates from 1932), Menuhin/Boult desirable. But the one I'd recommend wholeheartedly is Hugh Bean/Groves - the trouble is that it may not be easy to find at the moment, at least at a decent price.

The Bean/Groves recording is included in the 30 CD boxed set Elgar - The Collector's Edition - see below for other contents:

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/EMI/5036032

The cheapest price I've found is £33.20 inc P&P

http://www.overstock.com/Books-Movies-Music-Games/Elgar-CollectorS-Edition/2734064/product.html?cid=133635

[Bryn]

The Bean/Groves recording is included in the 30 CD boxed set Elgar - The Collector's Edition - see below for other contents:

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/EMI/5036032

The cheapest price I've found is £33.20 inc P&P

http://www.overstock.com/Books-Movies-Music-Games/Elgar-CollectorS-Edition/2734064/product.html?cid=133635

Then there appears to be a p&p charge of £15.85 plus Duty and VAT of £8.49, giving a total of £57.54, which is rather more than the £46.21 (including p&p) being asked for via the amazon.co.uk marketplace. That's unless I have made son major error while trying to order from overstock.com (I gave up when I saw the final total).

[Just noticed the little note at the top of the page linked to in a51's message, "Price includes an International Service Fee. Taxes, Duties, and Shipping additional." SO no, their price if £33.20 does not include p&p, etc.]

[amateur51]

Then there appears to be a p&p charge of £15.85 plus Duty and VAT of £8.49, giving a total of £57.54, which is rather more than the £46.21 (including p&p) being asked for via the amazon.co.uk marketplace. That's unless I have made son major error while trying to order from overstock.com (I gave up when I saw the final total).

[Just noticed the little note at the top of the page linked to in a51's message, "Price includes an International Service Fee. Taxes, Duties, and Shipping additional." SO no, their price if £33.20 does not include p&p, etc.]

Ber-limey Bryn, sorry about that!

I genuinely got the impression that the price was all found but I see that I was wrong - duh!

[Bryn]

Ber-limey Bryn, sorry about that!

I genuinely got the impression that the price was all found but I see that I was wrong - duh!

Let's face it, their wording is not the clearest. I misread it at first to suggest no further charges beyond the £33.20. Even at the amazon.co.uk price it would be tempting had I not already got just that few too many of the recordings already. I do have the Bean on LP somewhere. Must did that out.

[visualnickmos]

Hello Gradus (msg 91)

......I listened to the Zehetmair performance on Rob's programme yesterday but found it on the cool side of the passionate involvement that I look for in this music. With this personal prejudice in mind could other boarders suggest performances in which the passion is more evident?

This is a very interesting point, which reminded me of the BaL of Beethoven's VC last year (I think). And now a bit of history to give my point some basis:
Even though I have quite a few Beethoven's VCs in my collection, on the strength of the extracts of Zehetmair/Bruggen, I somewhat unusually for me, added this to my collection. But it was something I can only describe as the "souflé effect". This means peeping at it in the oven occasionally, (the played extracts) - seeing it rising beautifully - thinking "this is going to be delicious" but, alas, on taking it out of the oven (hearing the work in its entirity) falls flat and dull. That's how I was left feeling - the performance just didn't catch light, a tad underdone, not much flavour.

Now, I haven't heard the entirity of the Elgar library recommendation, (don't suppose I ever will) but reading your observation, and bearing in mind the player, etc...... well, one can perhaps draw conclusions.
I have the Zukerman/Barenboim, Kennedy/Handley, Dong-Suk Kang/Leaper in my collection (yet to hear my Perlmann/Barenboim)
I can't help thinking again, that this [Elgar/Zehetmair]recommendation would perhaps be another souflé, and therefore I won't be acquiring it. The 3 versions I have, that I've listened to, all do it for me. As an aside, I'm under the impression that Oistrach never recorde the Elgar? Now, that would have been something!

Am I alone in this?
Thanks,
Nick

[cloughie]

... like stepping from a busy city centre into a different psychological landscape: simultaneously chilling and captivating.

And I so share Cloughie's disappointment that JB didn't record the work (or The Kingdom or The Apostles ... or, for obvious reasons, the Third Symphony!) He just didn't "find" the right soloist - after all, he wouldn't've recorded Gerontius if it weren't for Janet Baker finally helping him recover from the loss of Kathleen Ferrier.

I have no regrets that Payne's 'Third' was not available for selection, but agree that J Baker's contribution as Ferrier's sub is great, shame about Borg's accent in the recording, however.

[cloughie]

There is live performance of In The South, from 1970: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Barbirolli-C...6754852&sr=8-2

Thanks for that - it had somehow slipped my JB radar - ordered today!

[Pabmusic]

As an aside, I'm under the impression that Oistrach never recorde the Elgar? Now, that would have been something!

Quite right, more's the pity, but Igor did (though it's not easy to find): http://www.amazon.com/Concerto-Oistr...pr_product_top

[pastoralguy]

I have this recording and it's fabulous playing although not really idiomatic. Do try to hear it if you get the chance.

[Petrushka]

From the comments above, I think I may need to listen more interpretations of this piece. I have the Menuhin and Zukerman recordings and both always seemed to me to find the heart of the music. I listened to the Zehetmair performance on Rob's programme yesterday but found it on the cool side of the passionate involvement that I look for in this music. With this personal prejudice in mind could other boarders suggest performances in which the passion is more evident?

If it's passion you want then go for Perlman and the Chicago SO under Barenboim. Yes, Perlman is closely recorded but, in my view, it works and there is bucketloads of passion. Take it from me, this is the one you want.

[cloughie]

...and Martin Milner too with the Hallé years ago.

Mike

Barbirolli, right there under your baton on the front bench, could have been the man to do it!

[salymap]

I'vejust played my old LP of Campoli,Boult and LPO. Unfortunately it sounds terrible. Perhaps I need a new stylus in the player but it's painful to hear a lovely performanc sound like this.

[Chris Newman]

Hi salymap,
See your PM box
bws Chris