Barry Collet

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Barry Collet first came to my attention when Pearl Records issued the first modern recordings of some of Elgar's wartime music, principally the recitations and Fringes of the Fleet. Barry Collet conducted the Rutland Sinfonia, who were fine in these works but sadly wanting in the much more challenging Polonia (which Boult had already recorded). The CD was interesting in that it was recorded digitally, but with analogue editing (DAD).

More recently, the same performers recorded Elgar's early music composed for the Powick Asylum on the British Music Label. But at last Collet's efforts have been rewarded by a new recording of the Powick pieces in which he has been able to conduct a professional orchestra.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/10657775/The-sound-of-Elgars-dances-for-mental-patients.html

[LeMartinPecheur]

Someone gave me Collet's first attempt with the Rutland Sinfonia as a cassette. Can't say it's been played often and I doubt if a pro band would upgrade it much. The new disc seems to repeat all that was on the old one with a few additions.

However, there is on both discs a Polka - Blumine (1884). It could boost sales if they claim it as the inspiration for the withdrawn extra mov't of Mahler 1 (1889)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The Powick Music doesn't contain any great music, but I think "A Voice in the Desert", sung by Teresa Cahill on Collet's recording of Elgar's War Music is an absolute gem. Very moving too.

Barry Collet is a recent recipient of the Elgar Society Medal.