Elgar (1857-1934)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I've recently heard (on Radio 3) and watched (on Youtube - the link doesn't seem to work) impressive performances of the cello concerto by Sol Gabetta. The Youtube performance is with the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra (and has been seen an impressive 925,000 times!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN0E6AupTBw

Stephane Deneve conducts.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Gabetta's recording with the Danish National Symphony Orch, conducted by Mario Venzago is also YouTubable:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpKab6GRBIg

[LMcD]

What is it with me and links !?

[LMcD]

I recently purchased, for the grand total of £1.32, the BBC Philharmonic's recordings of the Elgar symphonies on Naxos. My initial reaction on hearing the 1st was one of acute disappointment - for me, it just didn't seem to 'catch fire' and quite often didn't sound very 'Elgarian'. The 2nd, on the other hand, struck me as a very fine recording indeed. The two recordings are from the same period (1992-1993) by the same orchestra, and produced in the same venue. The 1st is conducted by George Hurst and the 2nd by Sir Edward Downes. I shall give the 1st another go, but I'm currently left wondering how much difference a conductor can make.

[Once Was 4]

I recently purchased, for the grand total of £1.32, the BBC Philharmonic's recordings of the Elgar symphonies on Naxos. My initial reaction on hearing the 1st was one of acute disappointment - for me, it just didn't seem to 'catch fire' and quite often didn't sound very 'Elgarian'. The 2nd, on the other hand, struck me as a very fine recording indeed. The two recordings are from the same period (1992-1993) by the same orchestra, and produced in the same venue. The 1st is conducted by George Hurst and the 2nd by Sir Edward Downes. I shall give the 1st another go, but I'm currently left wondering how much difference a conductor can make.

Funny that: I have both these recordings and have the opposite reactions to them. Edward Downes would only conduct No 2 - not No 1 which he considered 'Jingoistic' (bxxxxxxxs) However No 2 appealed to his left wing sympathies (he was not averse to being 'Sir Edward' though) and I have known this reaction from other left wing musicians- the old order coming to an end and all that. Sir Edward once described the slow movement of No 2 (in my hearing) as a "funeral seen through a veil".

As for George Hurst, Canadian? English? Pole?. Scary certainly if you got across him but I remember with pleasure the results that he got. He was Chair of the jury for the last of the Leeds Conductors' competitions that I played for. I never played Elgar for him but I remember in particular a Tchaikovsky 'Little Russian' where he described the last movement of what some saw as a lightweight symphony as "pogroms, dancing, pogroms, dancing and more pogroms'. RIP both.

[LMcD]

Funny that: I have both these recordings and have the opposite reactions to them. Edward Downes would only conduct No 2 - not No 1 which he considered 'Jingoistic' (bxxxxxxxs) However No 2 appealed to his left wing sympathies (he was not averse to being 'Sir Edward' though) and I have known this reaction from other left wing musicians- the old order coming to an end and all that. Sir Edward once described the slow movement of No 2 (in my hearing) as a "funeral seen through a veil".

As for George Hirst, Canadian? English? Pole?. Scary certainly if you got across him but I remember with pleasure the results that he got. He was Chair of the jury for the last of the Leeds Conductors' competitions that I played for. I never played Elgar for him but I remember in particular a Tchaikovsky 'Little Russian' where he described the last movement of what some saw as a lightweight symphony as "pogroms, dancing, pogroms, dancing and more pogroms'. RIP both.

The word 'jingoistic' has never crossed my mind when listening to Elgar - including the Pomp and Circumstance Marches!
The leader of the 2nd violins of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (I was on a Saga music break and he was our Musical Host) told me that, for him, the problem with the 2nd symphony was the ending - 'people should be on their feet cheering'.....The performance the previous evening had been conducted by Marin Alsop, who made a pretty good job of it.

[Bryn]

As for George Hirst, Canadian? English? Pole?:

Hurst, not Hirst, and Scottish, of Romanian and Russian parentage.

[gradus]

I think the Hurst/BBC Phil sym 1 was a BAL choice or at least very highly rated. I recall the reviewer saying that the BBC Phil were (justifiably) very pleased with the recording buy I haven't played it for some years so thanks for the reminder.

[pastoralguy]

This is a very personal response to Elgar's music but, since I got married, I've listened to a lot less of his work. (And I'm a HUGE fan of his music!) For me, it was a a real antidote to loneliness but now that's not a problem so Elgar has slipped down my list of essential composers. Mind you, when I DO hear his music...!!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I think the Hurst/BBC Phil sym 1 was a BAL choice or at least very highly rated. I recall the reviewer saying that the BBC Phil were (justifiably) very pleased with the recording buy I haven't played it for some years so thanks for the reminder.

"Highly rated" certainly (and by the Penguins, too, who gave it the full three stars) but the winner (chosen by DON on 17th March, 2007) was the Staatskapelle Dresden, under Colin Davis.

Like you, I have the recording, but haven't played it for far too long a time.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The word 'jingoistic' has never crossed my mind when listening to Elgar - including the Pomp and Circumstance Marches!

The only really jingoistic Elgar work is the final chorus of Caractacus, because of the words, rather than the music. Having witnessed the might of the Roman Empire, and the devastating effect it has had on the ancient Britons, the chorus then sings of the future British Empire which will be greater still.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

The only really jingoistic Elgar work is the final chorus of Caractacus, because of the words, rather than the music. Having witnessed the might of the Roman Empire, and the devastating effect it has had on the ancient Britons, the chorus then sings of the future British Empire which will be greater still.

That went well.

[Pabmusic]

I think the Hurst/BBC Phil sym 1 was a BAL choice or at least very highly rated. I recall the reviewer saying that the BBC Phil were (justifiably) very pleased with the recording buy I haven't played it for some years so thanks for the reminder.

It'a a great recording. Hurst was to record no. 2 as well, but he became ill and Downes was brought in for it, producing another great performance.

[Bryn]

It'a a great recording. Hurst was to record no. 2 as well, but he became ill and Downes was brought in for it, producing another great performance.

That seems rather more the plausible situation. There again, I am much fonder of the 1st than the 2nd, huge respect for Eddie baby (no, not EE) notwithstanding. Mind you, my 'go to' in the 1st is RN with 'his' Stuttgarters.

[cloughie]

That seems rather more the plausible situation. There again, I am much fonder of the 1st than the 2nd, huge respect for Eddie baby (no, not EE) notwithstanding. Mind you, my 'go to' in the 1st is RN with 'his' Stuttgarters.

Barbirolli and Thomson are the ones to match for me!