Our Summer BAL 51: Elgar's Enigma Variations

[Petrushka]

I can't remember this being on BAL for ages (has it?) but let's have a go anyway.

I still have a strong attachment to Philharmonia/Barbirolli in this wonderful work as it was the first recording I ever bought of it (May 1975) and don't mind one bit his typical lingering over details. Nowadays though, I prefer a Nimrod that flows and isn't a lament for war dead or something. I also prefer a good solid organ to give extra weight to those final bars. Step forward Bernard Haitink and the LPO who tick all of my boxes.

Must admit, it's a long time since I've played many of the versions I have on my shelves so what do Forumites think of the competing claims of Elder, Boult, Colin Davis, Andrew Davies, Solti, Bernstein, Mackerras, among others, and not forgetting Elgar's own recording?

[Nick Armstrong]

I always reach for Oramo and the CBSO first these days (the 'filler' to a slightly forgettable Gerontius)

[teamsaint]

I always reach for Oramo and the CBSO first these days (the 'filler' to a slightly forgettable Gerontius)

Clearly not a completely forgettable Gerontius, otherwise you would have , er, forgotten it.
I suppose.
Anyway,thats probably my contribution to this thread, except to mention Rattle.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I recently played Barbirolli/Hallé; Del Mar/RPO; Monteux/LSO; and Jochum/LSO - all recordings I have known for decades, but which I've mot played in tears. The one that made the deepest impression was the Jochum - I was surprised at how uninvolving I found Monteux this time.

[EdgeleyRob]

There are so many good versions.

Favourite three

LSO (81 year old !!!)Boult's 1970 recording (if forced to pick just one).
BBCSO,Davis.
Philharmonia,Sinopoli

[pastoralguy]

The first cd I ever bought was Sir Charles Mackerras conducting the LPO in the 'Enigma Variations' c/w 'Falstaff'. What I remember was being able to follow 'Falstaff' with the detailed booklet with convenient tracking so one knew what was going on!

However, the 'Enigma' was a very fine performance and it's usually the version I go to first.

[Nick Armstrong]

Clearly not a completely forgettable Gerontius, otherwise you would have , er, forgotten it.

Hence my 'slightly' ... i.e., I can't recall why I didn't like it! The singers, probably...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The number of versions I have of this almost begins to challenge my Alpine Symphony collection. Although nothing can surpass Philharmonia/Barbirolli, in my estimation, there are so many other interesting recordings, such as Halle/Elder, with Elgar's original ending, two VPO versions (Solti and JEG) and a piano solo (arranged by the composer) with Maria Garzon.

[Barbirollians]

Boult LSO 1970 -

[Pulcinella]

I recently played Barbirolli/Hallé; Del Mar/RPO; Monteux/LSO; and Jochum/LSO - all recordings I have known for decades, but which I've mot played in tears. The one that made the deepest impression was the Jochum - I was surprised at how uninvolving I found Monteux this time.

Yes, the piece can have that effect on you, ferney.
Le mot juste, indeed.


Monteux, Del Mar, Handley, and Bernstein here, I think (still in bed; may check later once up!).

[Barbirollians]

The 1970 Boult is imprinted on me -one of the first four records I owned .As much as I enjoy Jochum.Barbirolli.del Mar and others it remains much my favourite.

[seabright]

Interesting to read above that the majority of choices are played by British, predominantly London, orchestras. I guess I'm in a minority of one in finding much to enjoy in the versions played by the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy; the Czech Philharmonic conducted by the 90-year-old Stokowski; the Baltimore Symphony under David Zinman; the Bavarian Radio Symphony conducted by Sir Colin Davis; the RAI Turin Symphony under Barbirolli; the Chicago Symphony under Solti; and one of the finest non-British "Enigma" CDs in my collection, namely that made by the Berlin Radio Symphony conducted by Rolf Kleinert. Someone has uploaded the start of this onto You Tube and it takes you up as far "Troyte" and some sensational timpani playing ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry0AspB8_SM

I'm not sure if the rest of that is on You Tube but will check. Mention of the Stokowski performance led me to find just "Nimrod" where he has the Czech Phil strings playing absolutely beautifully and for all their effulgent worth ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lQLyaiMieU

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Yes, the piece can have that effect on you, ferney.
Le mot juste, indeed.

Ye gods! Not only did I not see that as I posted, I didn't notice it when I checked it after it appeared. I'm getting on - I need an MOT.

Monteux, Del Mar, Handley, and Bernstein here, I think (still in bed; may check later once up!).

That's an impressive Guest House you run there, Pulcie!

[Pulcinella]

Ye gods! Not only did I not see that as I posted, I didn't notice it when I checked it after it appeared. I'm getting on - I need an MOT.


That's an impressive Guest House you run there, Pulcie!

Yes, all those breakfasts are a nightmare to coordinate.
Too many variations!

[Barbirollians]

Menuhin,Mackerras(EMI) , Weldon and Barenboim are four other recordings I enjoy of EV.