BaL 21.06.14 - Elgar's Cello Concerto

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I first heard the Navarra recording on a Pye 2-disc set, coupled with the 1st Symphony on 3 sides. It was the first time I ever heard the work, which could be why I still prefer this interpretation to all others.

[Petrushka]

I don't actually have the celebrated EMI du Pre/Barbirolli on my well stocked shelves but do have a live performance from them given in Prague in 1967 and available on Testament. The versions I do have are Harrison/Elgar and Tortelier/Sargent in the historic category and Clein/Handley and Mork/Rattle for modern digital recordings.

My choice for a single version would be Natalie Clein with the RLPO and Vernon Handley. Everything about it seems just right.

[Barbirollians]

Your shelves sound like Hamlet without the prince .

[Barbirollians]

Completely off topic I would recommend tracking down the Navarra/Silvestri account of the Lalo concerto on Supraphon - not only is it coupled inter alia with sensational accounts of the Romanian Rhapsodies 1 and 2 by Enescu it is absolutely thrilling .

[antongould]

Du Pre,Barbirolli.
The sheer emotion and burning intensity just kills me.
If not the best,certainly up there in the top one.

Me too ER - maybe she "...pulls it about a bit...." but IMHO to a wonderful place.

[Roehre]

Du Pre,Barbirolli.
The sheer emotion and burning intensity just kills me.
If not the best,certainly up there in the top one.

That's the one I stick to too

[MLF]

That's the one I stick to too

It is the obvious (and a worthy) favourite. However, I am listening now to the 1928 Beatrice Harrison recording with the composer conducting which I find thrilling. My own choice is Clein. I do wonder, however, if that young whippersnapper Wellerstein may prevail next week - she is flavour of the month, it seems.

[pastoralguy]

I do wonder, however, if that young whippersnapper Wellerstein may prevail next week - she is flavour of the month, it seems.

And deservedly so...

[MLF]

And deservedly so...

Pastoralguy - having, out of deference to your recommendation , listened to Ms Weilerstein's recording afresh this morning, I agree that it is very fine and should surely feature on Saturday. That said, I still lean towards the Clein/ Handley recording - so warm, gentle and bewitching.

[Barbirollians]

The Weilerstein is good but the du Pre is so much better .

I do like the Clein/Handley . The annoying thing about that record was EMI deciding to fill it with miniatures rather than allowing Clein and Handley to record another concerto the Walton perhaps .

[gurnemanz]

My first recording was Robert Cohen with Norman Del Mar and LPO on Classics for Pleasure with In the South (sponsored by a tobacco company!). A good one and it seems now to be available with Dvorak. Not on list.

[pastoralguy]

Pastoralguy - having, out of deference to your recommendation , listened to Ms Weilerstein's recording afresh this morning, I agree that it is very fine and should surely feature on Saturday. That said, I still lean towards the Clein/ Handley recording - so warm, gentle and bewitching.

Thanks, MLF.... I was lucky enough to hear Ms. Weilerstein play the Tchaikovsky 'Rococo Variations' in Washington under the baton of Itzhak Perlman with the NSO and thought her a very fine player.

(Perlman and Zuckerman played the Mozart K.364 as well. Quite a concert!)

Although I have an autographed cd of the lovely Ms. Klein playing the Elgar I was disappointed when I heard her last year with the RSNO playing Haydn no. 1. She stamped her feet all the way through it which I thought very unprofessional since the conductor and orchestra were following her absolutely.

I love her too - but not that night!

[Barbirollians]

Thanks, MLF.... I was lucky enough to hear Ms. Weilerstein play the Tchaikovsky 'Rococo Variations' in Washington under the baton of Itzhak Perlman with the NSO and thought her a very fine player.

(Perlman and Zuckerman played the Mozart K.364 as well. Quite a concert!)

Although I have an autographed cd of the lovely Ms. Klein playing the Elgar I was disappointed when I heard her last year with the RSNO playing Haydn no. 1. She stamped her feet all the way through it which I thought very unprofessional since the conductor and orchestra were following her absolutely.

I love her too - but not that night!

What ? They all stamped their feet ???

[pastoralguy]

What ? They all stamped their feet ???

No, they looked too embarrassed!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I can't wait. Only a few more minutes