Our Summer BAL 51: Elgar's Enigma Variations

[Nick Armstrong]

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.

My clutch is slipping too - I read the post twice last night and didn't notice anything amiss....

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

Bit spooky, though....

[Petrushka]

I had the LSO/Boult recording on LP many years ago but have never bought the CD - will have to make amends. That Philharmonia/Barbirolli remains special to me for a whole host of reasons but I definitely crave the majestic weight of the organ in those final bars which gives an added tingle factor.

Mark Elder's recording is interesting in giving the original ending to the work as well as the standard version so you can programme it in if you want. To be honest I think we should be glad that Elgar was talked into making the change as it makes for a thrilling conclusion.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Bit spooky, though....

Well - they were going to stay in the Guest House next door, but that's teetotal and they don't serve sp....




... oh; please yourselves!

[BBMmk2]

I think, still JB's classic recording is pretty good. I also have Sir Andrew Davis's recording, Sir Adrian Boult(the one c/w the P&Cs1-5, and Sir Mark Elder. I do rather like Handley's and Sir Andrew Davis's.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Well, I'm shocked!

...at the few CD recordings I have: Elgar, BBCNOW/ Otaka on a BBC MM, and the Naxos Bournemouth SO/Hurst.

Back on LP not very many to add either: Barbirolli (of course), Mackerras and Monteux.

Think I've probably got more recordings of In the South, but then that is a very big favourite work. But so of course are these Var's

May have to look to Sir A B...

[visualnickmos]

Lots of excellent versions 'out there'.....

Andrew Davis is a particular favourite (as are his Elgar symphonies) with the BBC SO.... also amongst my favs are Bernstein (yes, I know! but it is a really wonderful interpretation despite what its detractors may say)

[Daniel]

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

Perhaps one can acquire such residents on the the same principle as milkmen -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghhV1pRkPhM

Not sure I've ever heard a performance of the Elgar that I haven't enjoyed, but have heard very few compared to most on here I suspect. I was struck by the beginning of Nimrod with Colin Davis with the LSO sounding so distant, that it was more like a daydream than something that actually existed.

[gradus]

Its Menuhin/RPO for me because of the extraordinarily passionate performance of Nimrod although I have a feeling that the recording engineer did his bit too, never mind it works for me.

[Petrushka]

Has anyone else here read Dora Penny's (Dorabella) wonderful little book, Memories of a Variation? She was by then Mrs Richard Powell and it gives a delightful insight into the life, musical and otherwise, of Edwardian England as well as that of the 'friends pictured within' and, naturally, of Elgar himself.

Mandatory reading for all EE fans.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edward-Elgar-Mrs-Richard-Powell/dp/0859679969/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471713213&sr=1-1&keywords=memories+of+a+variation

[visualnickmos]

Its Menuhin/RPO for me because of the extraordinarily passionate performance of Nimrod although I have a feeling that the recording engineer did his bit too, never mind it works for me.

I'd forgotten that one - it is stunning... a listen later, I feel, coming on. Just enjoying the Prom broadcast at this very moment - some superb Mahler.

[EdgeleyRob]

Has anyone else here read Dora Penny's (Dorabella) wonderful little book, Memories of a Variation? She was by then Mrs Richard Powell and it gives a delightful insight into the life, musical and otherwise, of Edwardian England as well as that of the 'friends pictured within' and, naturally, of Elgar himself.

Mandatory reading for all EE fans.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edward-Elga...of+a+variation

Yes I have pet many years ago.
A good read for anyone with an interest in that era IMO,not just Elgarians.

[EdgeleyRob]

I'd forgotten that one - it is stunning... a listen later, I feel, coming on. Just enjoying the Prom broadcast at this very moment - some superb Mahler.

Yes good shout the Menuhin,in my top 5.

[richardfinegold]

Perhaps not being a Brit and having only a passing interest in Elgar I've only a couple. Solti was my first , on an lp that I bought for the coupling, the Schoenberg Variations for Orchestra. I don't remember if the Orchestra was the CSO or the LPO...anyway that carried me through the lp era and Monteux has covered it for the duration...

[Alison]

Did you mean the Haitink studio version on Philips or live at the Proms on LPO, Pet?

[cloughie]

Perhaps not being a Brit and having only a passing interest in Elgar I've only a couple. Solti was my first , on an lp that I bought for the coupling, the Schoenberg Variations for Orchestra. I don't remember if the Orchestra was the CSO or the LPO...anyway that carried me through the lp era and Monteux has covered it for the duration...

Why do you feel you have to be a Brit to have a real interest in Elgar - I don't have to be American to enjoy Copland! Treat yourself to the Elgar Symphonies and enjoy!