Conducts Elgar

1. Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
Composed by Edward Elgar
Performed by New Symphony Orchestra of London with Beatrice Harrison
Conducted by Edward Elgar

2. Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 63
Composed by Edward Elgar
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Edward Elgar

Conducts Elgar,Elgar,Harrison,Lso,Grammofono 2000,Classical,Classical Music,Orchestral & Symphonic

Average customer rating: Decent Alternative Sibelius Not Great To Very Good Sibelius From Leonard Bernstein A Great Sibelius 2nd Self indulgence controversy A great bargain if you know what you're in for

Leonard Bernstein Conducts Sibelius (Collectors Edition) Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sibelius | Sibelius, Jean | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Leonard Bernstein Conducts Haydn (Collectors Edition) Stravinsky, Shostakovich: Bernstein's Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon Leonard Bernstein Conducts Brahms (Collectors Edition) The Americans: Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon Mozart: The Late Symphonies: Nos. 25, 29, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41 ASIN: B0001WGDXK Release Date: 2004-05-11

Customer Reviews:

Decent Alternative Sibelius.......2007-07-08

Leonard Bernstein's series of "Indian Summer" recordings for DG included the beginnings of a second go-round with the symphonies of Jean Sibelius -- the First, Second, Fifth, and Seventh. They're all marked by often exaggeratedly expansive tempos, rubatos, and other indulgences; especially the popular Second, a bloated, belching affair I found hard to digest on first listen. However, Lenny makes a beautiful case for the First, probably the most Tchaikovskian of the lot in most performances, but here given a unique treatment which makes it sound distinctly Sibelian. Still, it's difficult to recommend these recordings for a novice listener.

Not Great To Very Good Sibelius From Leonard Bernstein.......2007-06-21

Deutsche Grammophon has selected wisely from its vaults in re-issuing classic recordings in its special Collectors Edition series. Whether these recordings made by Leonard Bernstein, primarily with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Wiener Philharmoniker), truly qualify is an interesting observation which I will leave to others. However, I will note that for my own personal tastes, I have enjoyed more Sibelius symphony recordings from Karajan, and especially, Colin Davis. Here Bernstein merely reaffirms for some what an intriguing, idiosyncratic conductor that he had become by the close of his life, with "mannered" performances, of which the Sibelius 2nd Symphony is the most egregious example. And yet I can still rate this box set highly for the very fine performances of Sibelius's 1st and 5th symphonies, and for the poignant performance of Britten's "Sea Interludes" recorded live at Tanglewood in 1990 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in what would be his last concert performance ever. Devoted fans of Leonard Bernstein's celebrated career as a conductor will find much of interest to hear and enjoy in this box set.

A Great Sibelius 2nd.......2007-03-24

Bernstein was an interpretive conductor. This is a performance which makes an event out of the 2nd symphony. The Breitkopf and Hartel score includes a duration of 45 minutes under the scoring page. Bernstein's performance is not far off. As personal as his intrepretation is (including a few changes in dynamics), most of Sibelius' tempo markings are meticulously followed. Molto largamente, Andante sostenuto, Poco allegro, Allegro, are tempo markings which appear in the 2nd movement - all are followed. Bernstein rigorously applies the 'Tempo Andante, ma rubato' to the eight-note (3/8), not the quarter. As a result, the 2nd movement is taken at a slower pace. But the pacing is entirely logical within that context. Careful listeners will also notice that one measure of the 3rd movement Vivacissimo (taken in 1 - one of the fastest on record) equals exactly one quarter note of the tempo in the finale. These correspondences (and there are many) give cohesiveness to the structure of the work.

The 2nd movement, one of the great tragic symphonic utterances, and the finale, one of the most uplifting in the repertoire, are perfectly realized in this great performance. Absolutely not to be missed.

Self indulgence controversy.......2006-06-26

Some reviewers, especially British ones, promotioning Northern values of controlling your passion and never wearing your "heart on the sleeve" etc, have criticized heavily Bernstein's No 2 as being "self-indulgent".
I feel the discussion is meaningless. Are there not enough standard performances available on CD, full of "poise", "dignity", self-restraint, and moderation ? Presumably, one more bland run-of-the-mill recording is more attractive than something extraordinary and personal.
Try to open yourself to the excitement of interpreting Chopin as if he were Beethoven, Ravel as if he were Bach. You will discover new areas of emotional and intellectual stimulus.
I heartily recommend Bernstein's DG Indian Summer self-indulgent recordings, of Sibelius, Mahler, and Tchaikovsky.
The slow movement of Sibelius' Second from Bernstein may be "tasteless" but a hell of a listening experience. Like yin and yang, we humans need romantic passion as well as classical intellect.

A great bargain if you know what you're in for.......2006-03-18

Fifteen years after his death, DG has decided to give us ultra-bargain box sets of Bernstein's late recordings. As is well known, he could be eccentric in this period, often too slow and self-indulgent. Those flaws are at their worst here in the Sibelius Sym. #2 form Vienna and the Elgar from London. But the other Sibelius, particularly Sym. #7, shows real depth of feeling and justifies Bernstein's expressive indulgences. The Four Sea Interludes are moving for being part of the last public concert he gave in Tanglewood with the BSO, and the orchestra plays wonderfully for him. The rest of the performances fall somewhere in between these extremes. They will all remain controversial, I imagine, but there's a great deal of enjoyment to be had here if you know what you are in for.

Average customer rating: Milestone Performances Historic Elgar!!!

Elgar Conducts Elgar Elgar , Harrison , Lso , and New So Manufacturer: Classica D'oro ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000063WXS Release Date: 2002-04-02

Tracks:

1. Cello Concert In E Minor, Op.85: I. Adagio-Moderato - II. Allegro Molto - Beatrice Harrison
2. Cello Concert In E Minor, Op.85: III. Adagio - IV. Allegro - Beatrice Harrison
3. Symphony No.2 In E Flat, Op.63: Allegro Vivace E Nobilmente - Sir Edward Elgar
4. Symphony No.2 In E Flat, Op.63: Larghetto - Sir Edward Elgar
5. Symphony No.2 In E Flat, Op.63: Rondo: Presto - Sir Edward Elgar
6. Symphony No.2 In E Flat, Op.63: Moderato E Maestoso - Sir Edward Elgar

Customer Reviews:

Milestone Performances.......2006-12-29

Not only was Sir Edward Elgar the first major composer to extensively conduct on recordings of his own music, he was also a very fine, sensitive musician who clearly communicated his thoughts to the orchestra. These are truly "milestone" performances that show Elgar at his best and, fortunately, HMV (His Master's Voice) displayed special care in achieving the best possible sound while using a single microphone in the early days of electrical recording.

The second symphony is a particular musical treasure. The music alone is so remarkable, displaying a considerable range of emotion and power. There is deep drama at times, especially in the beginning, and a real sense of mystery in the second movement. The scherzo of the third movement is not only playful but magical, particularly as Elgar builds the intensity and excitement in this performance by the skilled musicians of the London Symphony Orchestra. HMV actually recorded part of the rehearsal of the third movement and it gives an idea of how Elgar coaxed the musicians into giving even more; while he wanted the music to move, he gently warned them "but not too fast." The effects are absolutely wonderful to hear, leading to the remarkably passionate fourth movement.

Some have said that Elgar had become "old fashioned" by even the 1920s and certainly in the early 1930s, as his life drew to a close; however, he was a consummate English gentlemen and a gifted musician. Much like his contemporaries, Richard Strauss (who was a friend) and Sergei Rachmaninoff, Elgar stuck with romanticism and continued to find new and imaginative ways to work with it. This is certainly clear in these two works. How wonderful that we can again hear Elgar's own thoughts on his own music in superbly remastered recordings.

Historic Elgar!!!.......2006-10-31

Besides being one of the greatest composers to emerge from England during the late 19th and early 20th century, Edward Elgar was also one of the pioneers of early recording. His recording career began in 1914 and continued until 1933, the year before his death at age 76.
While most of Elgar's recordings are hard to find highly prized collector's items, there are quite of few that have made it onto CD that are worth listening to. One is the 1932 recording of his Violin Concerto with Elgar conducting and Yehudi Menuhin performing the solo part (available as part of EMI's Great Recordings Of The Century series). The other is this CD which includes the 1928 recording of Elgar's Cello Concerto and Second Symphony in which the recording dates from a year earlier.
Despite the recordings being from 1927 and 1928, the sound quality and remastering on this disc is outstanding. There isn't even the slightest hint of hiss or surface noise heard on both works. Beatrice Harrison's cello performance on the concerto is awe-inspiring and is full of emotion and yearning throughout the pieces four movements. The performance of the Second Symphony is full of heroism and vigor and is very much a blueprint for which other conductors should follow. It's quite difficult to point out the main highlights throughout this long symphony as all of it has many high points and is one gem of a recording.
This CD is highly recommended for the devout Elgar fan and is an excellent document of this great composer as conductor. Also recommended is the above mentioned Violin Concerto from EMI Records which also features Elgar conducting his most famous piece, the "Enigma Variations". There is also a disc from Naxos which features Elgar conducting all of his Pomp and Circumstance marches as well as the Cockaigne Overture (in the original mono as well as "accidental stereo"). The Enigma Variations is also on the Naxos disc. All three of these discs including this one are well worth owning and provide the listener with how this music should really sound. What better way to hear a composers music that from the composer himself.

Average customer rating:

Sir Malcolm Sargent Conducts British Music Manufacturer: Beulah ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Holst | Holst, Gustav | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Variations | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music ASIN: B00008ERVH Release Date: 1995-05-23

Average customer rating:

Silvestri Conducts Elgar, Arnold, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Enescu Manufacturer: BBC Legends ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Arnold | Arnold, Malcolm | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Enescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Walton: Partita for Orchestra; Debussy: La Mer; Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 3; Etc. Tchaikovsky: Manfred Symphony in Bm Op58; Liszt: Tasso: Lamento e trionfo No2 Tchaikovsky: Manfred Symphony; Respighi: Pini di Roma ASIN: B000FI903A Release Date: 2006-07-25

Tracks:

1. Concert Overture
2. I. Andante. Nobilmente E Semplice-Allegro
3. II. Allegro Molto
4. III. Adagio
5. IV. Lento-Allegro
6. Beckus The Dandipratt, Op.5

Tracks:

1. I. Andante Sostenuto-Allegro Vivo
2. II. Andantino Marziale, Quasi Moderato
3. III. Scherzo. Allegro Molto Vivace-Trio. L'Istesso Tempo
4. IV. Finale. Moderato Assai-Allegro Vivo-Presto
5. Poeme Danse
6. Dawn
7. Sunday Morning
8. Moonlight
9. Storm
10. Romanian Rhapsody In A Major, Op.11 No.1

Average customer rating:

Sir Charles Mackerras conducts Delius, Dvorák, Elgar, Suk & Vorísek Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Delius, Frederick | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Janácek, Leos | ( J ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music ASIN: B000BEZPLO Release Date: 2005-11-08

Tracks:

1. I. Allegro Con Spirito - English Chamber Orchestra
2. II. Andante - English Chamber Orchestra
3. III. Scherzo: Allegro Ma Non Troppo - English Chamber Orchestra
4. IV. Finale: Allegro Con Brio - English Chamber Orchestra
5. I. Preludium: Pastorale/Allegro Moderato - English Chamber Orchestra
6. II. Polka: Allegretto Grazioso - English Chamber Orchestra
7. III. Sousedska: Allegro Giusto - English Chamber Orchestra
8. IV. Romanza: Andante Con Moto - English Chamber Orchestra
9. V. Finale: Furiant/Presto - English Chamber Orchestra
10. Romance In F Minor For Violin And Orchestra, Op.11 - Sir Charles Mackerras
11. Fantastic Scherzo, Op.25 - Sir Charles Mackerras

Tracks:

1. Overture - Wiener Philharmoniker
2. Fantasy For Violin And Orchestra, Op.24 - Sir Charles Mackerras
3. Voices Of Life And Consolation - Sir Charles Mackerras
4. Noon (Mittag) - Sir Charles Mackerras
5. Intermezzo/Blind Musicians (Blinde Musiker) - Sir Charles Mackerras
6. In The Power Of Phantoms (In Der Macht Der Geister) - Sir Charles Mackerras
7. Night (Nacht) - Sir Charles Mackerras

Tracks:

1. On Hearing The First Cuckoo In Spring - Sir Charles Mackerras
2. Brigg Fair-An English Rhapsody - Sir Charles Mackerras
3. With Quiet Easy Movement - Sir Charles Mackerras
4. Slow And Solemnly - Sir Charles Mackerras
5. Theme: Andante - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
6. I. C.A.E. (L'istesso Tempo) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
7. II. H.D.S.-P. (Allegro) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
8. III. R.B.T. (Allegretto) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
9. IV. W.M.B. (Allegro Di Molto) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
10. V. R.P.A. (Moderato) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
11. VI. Ysobel (Andantino) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
12. VII. Troyte (Presto) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
13. VIII. W.N. (Allegretto) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
14. IX. Nimrod (Adagio) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
15. X. Intermezzo: Dorabella (Allegretto) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
16. XI. G.R.S. (Allegro Di Molto) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
17. XII. B.G.N. (Andante) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
18. XIII. Romanza (Moderato) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
19. XIV. Finale: E.D.U. (Allegro/Presto) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Sir Adrian Boult conducts English Music Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Walton | Walton, Sir William | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000003LK0 Release Date: 1994-10-24

Tracks:

1. Portsmouth Point
2. Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis
3. Music for Strings: 1. Allegro moderato, energico
4. Music for Strings: 2. Andante, molto sostenuto - Poco allegretto - Tempo I
5. Music for Strings: 3. Allegro molto - Andante moderator - Allegro con spirito - Allegro molto - Presto
6. A Shropshire Lad: Rhapsody
7. Crown Imperial

Tracks:

1. Introduction And Allegro For Strings, Op. 47
2. The Dream Of Gerontius: Prelude, Op. 38
3. Imperial March, Op. 32
4. Sospiri, Op. 70
5. Enigma Variations, Op. 36

Average customer rating:

Sir John Barbirolli Conducts English String Music Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Elegies | Requiems, Elegies & Tombeau | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B000005GHV Release Date: 1993-01-12

Average customer rating: great, authentic interpretations from Elgar's friend

Sir Adrian Boult conducts Elgar Manufacturer: Testament UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Organ | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000003XK8 Release Date: 2006-10-10

Tracks:

1. I. Falstaff And Prince Henry
2. II. Eastcheap-Gadshill-The Boar's Head, Revelry And Sheep
3. III. Dream Interlude: 'Jack Falstaff, Now Sir John, A Boy, And...
4. IV. Flastaff's March-The Return Through Gloucestershire
5. IV. Interlude: Gloucestershire. Shallow's Orchard (Allegretto)...
6. IV. King Henry V's Progress-The Repudiation Of Falstaff...
7. I. Aubade (Awake) (Allegretto)
8. II. The Serious Doll (Andantino)
9. III. Busy-ness (Allegro Molto)
10. IV. The Sad Doll (Andantino)
11. V. The Wagon (Passes) (Allegretto)
12. VI. The Merry Doll (Allegro Molto)
13. VII. Dreaming (Lento)-Envoy (Coda)
14. 1. Andante
15. 2. Allegretto Piacevole
16. Fantasia (Poco Allegretto)
17. Fugue (Allegro)
18. Pomp And Circumstance March No.3 In C Minor, Op.39 No.3

Customer Reviews:

great, authentic interpretations from Elgar's friend.......1999-02-03

Boult first met Elgar when he was 14. He watched him conduct and later worked with him. Temperamentally, he was rather like the composer - reserved and 'private' on the surface, full of musicality and strong feeling beneath. These performances from the very early 50s - particularly 'Falstaff' and the Nursery Suite - are full of life, vigour, poetry and insight. The LPO was in difficulties at the time, financially, recovering from the War years, and the playing is rough in places, but it almost makes the whole thing more human. They really are wonderful performances and, now, a bit of history. Very strongly recommended.

Average customer rating: TB & Elgar

Sir Thomas Beecham Conducts Elgar Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005B1CL Release Date: 2001-01-01

Customer Reviews:

TB & Elgar.......2005-05-06

Recently I have begun buying titles in Sony's British Import series "Sir Thomas Beecham: The Original CBS Recordings" and I must say I am enjoying them very much. Virtually all of the CDs in this line feature mono performances from the early 1950s, but not only are some of them the conductor's best accounts of a given work, many of the selections are pieces TB never even made in stereo. Case in point, these Elgar recordings of the Cockaigne Overture, Serenade for Strings and Enigma Variations. Surprisingly, England's most famous conductor and composer rarely partnered, but Elgar did ask TB to record Enigma once technology had sufficiently improved as the composer was never truly happy with the rendition he laid down for posterity. Beecham obliged twenty years after the composer's death with this historic 1954 performance, the highlight of this CD. Sure there are better sounding stereo accounts out there, but none match the fire and intensity that Beecham offers here, not even fellow countrymen Boult or Barbirolli. In all, "Sir Thomas Beecham: The Original CBS Recordings" is a delightful series and I look forward to purchasing (and reviewing) more of them.

Average customer rating: Verve, dash, and the ambience of the concert hall.

Sir Hamilton Harty conducts music by Mousorgsky, Balakirev.... Manufacturer: Symposium ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000009TPP Release Date: 1998-08-25

Tracks:

1. Khovanshchina. Prld: 'Dawn Over Moscow'
2. Russia (Symphonic Poem)
3. Sym No.5 (Now No.9) in e, Op.95 'From The New World': Adagio - Allegro Molto
4. Sym No.5 (Now No.9) in e, Op.95 'From The New World': Largo
5. Sym No.5 (Now No.9) in e, Op.95 'From The New World': Scherzo
6. Sym No.5 (Now No.9) in e, Op.95 'From The New World': Finale
7. A Picaresque Comedy: Ov
8. The Apostles: By The Wayside - Dora Labette/Harold Williams/Hubert Eisdell/Dennis Noble/Robert Easton
9. The Trojans: Royal Hunt And Storm

Customer Reviews:

Verve, dash, and the ambience of the concert hall........2001-02-13

As a composer, Sir Hamilton Harty is well represented in the CD catalogues these days. His arrangements of suites from Handel's "Water Music" and "Royal Fireworks Music" are also once again in vogue. No one browsing this web site is likely to have heard him as a conductor, certainly not in the original Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England, where several of these recordings were made. In the early days of electrical recording, his performances with the Halle Orchestra were mainstays of the English Columbia catalogue, noted for their verve and dash and for the well-caught ambience of the concert hall.

Symposium offer a splendid CD allowing some of these long-unavailable recordings to be heard again, free of speed and pitch variation problems. A snappy performance of Dvorak's "New World" Symphony is the main item, recorded at one session in 1927. Sophisticated restoration processes cannot rectify some of the erratic "knob-twiddling" for which the original engineers were responsible, nor can the weak and ill-defined bass be given a clearer image, but nevertheless the excitement comes through.

The Australian baritone Harold Williams leads a quintet of singers in an excerpt which Harty conducts from Elgar's "The Apostle", the earliest and one of the clearest of all these recordings.

At the same session as the Mussorgsky item was made, Harty and the Halle Orchestra recorded two choral items with the Manchester Children's Choir which were best sellers for many years, certainly in Australia, but which are hard to find on the CD market.

Track Listings:

1. Conducts Haydn
2. Conducts Tchaikovsky & Borodin
3. Dance Across the Sea
4. Die Meistersinger
5. Disc Drive Disc With Gothe
6. Down Under: Music from Australia, New Zealand and Canada
7. Edition 2
8. Elgar: Enigma Variations/Military Marches (5)/The Crown of India
9. Enescu: String Quartets Op.22
10. First Recordings 3

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

14 Shades of Grey [Enhanced] [Explicit Lyrics]

Collection [Import]

Bottle Up & Go

What's New

Classic Crooners

Eve-Olution [Explicit Lyrics] [Import]

Classic Disney V.1 [Import]

Franz Joseph Haydn: Seven Last Words of Christ

Christmas from the Heart

Collectors' Items

Bizarro [Import]

Can You Pretend

Decadance 80's Groove: The Reunion [Import]

The Bad Boys from Atl

Legend (New Packaging)