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The best recordings of Elgar's Symphonies from the old Masters?
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Juan I. Cahis
May 13, 2014, 6:57:05 PM5/13/14
to
Dear friends:
I am a fan of Elgar's Symphonies, specially when conducted by the old
Masters, Boult or Barbirolli and earlier. I was convinced that Boult was
unsurpassed in the Second (EMI) until I heard his recording of the same
Symphony on Lyrita, which astonished me. Also, I think that Barbirolli is
the Master in the First (EMI).
But, because I don't have an extensive set of recordings of them performed
by the old Masters, could you write a list of your preferences of each
Symphony performed from any Conductor from Elgar's own recordings up to the
latest recordings from Boult and Barbirolli?
Thanks a lot again.
--
Enviado desde mi iPad usando NewsTap, Juan I. Cahis, Santiago de Chile.
I am a fan of Elgar's Symphonies, specially when conducted by the old
Masters, Boult or Barbirolli and earlier. I was convinced that Boult was
unsurpassed in the Second (EMI) until I heard his recording of the same
Symphony on Lyrita, which astonished me. Also, I think that Barbirolli is
the Master in the First (EMI).
But, because I don't have an extensive set of recordings of them performed
by the old Masters, could you write a list of your preferences of each
Symphony performed from any Conductor from Elgar's own recordings up to the
latest recordings from Boult and Barbirolli?
Thanks a lot again.
--
Enviado desde mi iPad usando NewsTap, Juan I. Cahis, Santiago de Chile.
Frank Berger
May 13, 2014, 8:24:16 PM5/13/14
to
On 5/13/2014 6:57 PM, Juan I. Cahis wrote:
> Dear friends:
>
> I am a fan of Elgar's Symphonies, specially when conducted by the old
> Masters, Boult or Barbirolli and earlier. I was convinced that Boult was
> unsurpassed in the Second (EMI) until I heard his recording of the same
> Symphony on Lyrita, which astonished me. Also, I think that Barbirolli is
> the Master in the First (EMI).
>
> But, because I don't have an extensive set of recordings of them performed
> by the old Masters, could you write a list of your preferences of each
> Symphony performed from any Conductor from Elgar's own recordings up to the
> latest recordings from Boult and Barbirolli?
>
> Thanks a lot again.
>
I'm not aware of *any* historical recordings between Elgar's own and
> Dear friends:
>
> I am a fan of Elgar's Symphonies, specially when conducted by the old
> Masters, Boult or Barbirolli and earlier. I was convinced that Boult was
> unsurpassed in the Second (EMI) until I heard his recording of the same
> Symphony on Lyrita, which astonished me. Also, I think that Barbirolli is
> the Master in the First (EMI).
>
> But, because I don't have an extensive set of recordings of them performed
> by the old Masters, could you write a list of your preferences of each
> Symphony performed from any Conductor from Elgar's own recordings up to the
> latest recordings from Boult and Barbirolli?
>
> Thanks a lot again.
>
Boult's 1944 recording of #2 and 1949 recording of #1. There are many
fine modern performances of both symphonies, but you can't do better
than Boult and Barbirolli, IMO. I'm fond of the Lyrita recording as well.
whiskynsplash
May 14, 2014, 7:06:18 AM5/14/14
to
(1) Yehudi Menuhin in both No. 1 & No. 2 along with the Pomp & Circumstance and other Marches.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 1989, 1991
Virgin Classics CDVB 7243 5 61430 2 9 (2 CDs)
I heard Menuhin conduct No. 1 with the Royal Phil on tour in America a long time ago and the memory still remains with me.
(2) Silvestri in No. 1 with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Live recording, Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, 25 July 1968. Silvestri had plans to record both symphonies but died before he could do so. This live recording is not in the best sound but the Adagio is outstanding.
BBC Music BBCL 4182-2 (2 CDs)
(3) Giuseppe Sinopoli in No. 2 with the Philharmonia Orchestra, 1987, DG 423 085-2
Veerry slooww and portentous but a valid view of the symphony nevertheless by a non-British conductor. I shall give timings.
Symphony No. 1 in A flat major, Op. 55
I Andante. Nobilmente e semplice - Allegro
II Allegro molto.
III Adagio
IV Lento - Allegro
Menuhin: 19:03; 6:51; 12:53; 12:03
Boult, BBC Symphony, 1976 Proms: 17:22; 7:05; 9:04; 11:19
Boult, London Phil, 1977: 18:33; 7:14; 10:53; 12:01
Silvestri: 22:04; 8:12; 11:33; 13:04
Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 63
I Allegro vivace e nobilmente
II Larghetto
III Rondo: Presto
IV Moderato e maestoso
Menuhin: 16:53; 14:11; 7:40; 13:39
Boult, BBC Symphony, 1945: 16:23; 14:08; 7:57; 13:37
Boult, London Phil, 1976: 17:29; 14:13; 8:00; 13:15
Sinopoli: 20:44; 18:23; 8:57; 17:13
richard...@gmail.com
May 15, 2014, 7:10:15 PM5/15/14
to
On Tuesday, May 13, 2014 6:57:05 PM UTC-4, Juan I. Cahis wrote:
> could you write a list of your preferences of each
> Symphony performed from any Conductor from Elgar's own recordings up to the
> latest recordings from Boult and Barbirolli?
Starting with Elgar's recordings: I have the EMI LP sets of Elgar's own recordings and they were a wonderful surprise when I got them. Sound good enough to enjoy, and performances quite different from the prevailing fashion today.
> could you write a list of your preferences of each
> Symphony performed from any Conductor from Elgar's own recordings up to the
> latest recordings from Boult and Barbirolli?
They provoked a response from Decca, which entered the Elgar stakes with a series of recordings by Solti. These were closely modelled on Elgar's own records, and are still worth getting today.
Otherwise, I'll second the other replies: Silvestri, Boult and Barbirolli. Sinopoli is an outsider and interesting, Svetlanov is too (I don't have his choral recordings)though.
For the Dream of Gerontius I prefer neither Boult nor Barbirolli, but Britten (Decca) or Sargent with the Huddersfield Choral Society.
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