Elgar- In the South

[Cockney Sparrow]

For a long time, the Gibson was the one I had, and was perfectly happy - still am. Listened to the Silvestri, and thought I must listen again, more intently and discover why it is so highly regarded. And I think I have the Elder, maybe as a download. And I now discover its on the Gardiner / VPO disc which I have - and I must listen again to that.

Added on Edit - Found I have the Solti ! (Whilst searching for the Gardiner....)

[Barbirollians]

Well, Gibson is suddenly making a brilliant late run from left-field (Alpie's #13)

PS Just visited the jungle marketplace: £30+

Only £5.75 new on Presto !

[Edgy 2]

Yep, it's always that. But I, and presumably Barbs as OP, would very much like to know if anyone thinks that a newer version really has relegated Silvestri and Barbirolli to the 2nd div!

On reflection I’d put BBCSO/Davis above Solti rather than Pet’s order.
I don’t have Silverstri but I have heard it and remember being impressed,never heard JEG.
I have some of the other versions mentioned and Andrew Davis would be first choice for me,never less than perfect at any given moment IMO.
Doesn’t relegate Barbirolli to the 2nd div but maybe pushes him down into the Europa League places

[gurnemanz]

Checked out the Vasily Petrenko/RLPO account on Spotify. It must be the newest recording around, appearing March this year. Mersey meets Med to great effect. Vivid, bracing and a most enjoyable listen.

[visualnickmos]

Three favs of mine (no particular order)

Georg Solti, Andrew Davis, Leonard Slatkin

[Alison]

No votes for Sinopoli? I rate it highly!

[visualnickmos]

No votes for Sinopoli? I rate it highly!

Actually - yes. I'll add it to my favs. Thanks for the reminder... In fact Sinopoli's Elgar symphonies are very splendid, too.

[vibratoforever]

Actually - yes. I'll add it to my favs. Thanks for the reminder... In fact Sinopoli's Elgar symphonies are very splendid, too.

Sinopoli's Elgar was sometimes trashed by reviewers but I think his Enigma Variations recording is superb.

[Barbirollians]

Sinopoli's Elgar was sometimes trashed by reviewers but I think his Enigma Variations recording is superb.

Wasn’t his recording of the Second Symphony even slower than Barbirolli in 1964 ?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Well, Gibson is suddenly making a brilliant late run from left-field

I think it was the first CD version.

[Richard Tarleton]

Norman del Mar LPO - Classics for Pleasure

Actually not a recommendable performance, but the only one I have. Not being an Elgar enthusiast I nevertheless love this work - it's always seemed to me quite unlike anything else he wrote. The last time I heard it performed live was in a BBC NOW concert in Swansea, with Thierry Fischer - I ran into principal viola Alex Thorndike in the interval and told him how much I'd enjoyed his beautifully played solo

[Barbirollians]

Then Richard you need to get the Silvestri a highly recommendable performance

[visualnickmos]

Then Richard you need to get the Silvestri a highly recommendable performance

.... and/or Georg Solti .... and/or Andrew Davis

[vibratoforever]

Wasn’t his recording of the Second Symphony even slower than Barbirolli in 1964 ?

Yes by 9 minutes, but Bryden Thomson and Jeffrey Tate weren't far behind

[Richard Tarleton]

Then Richard you need to get the Silvestri a highly recommendable performance

Just ordered!