BaL 14.01.12 Elgar's Violin Concerto

[pastoralguy]

I have this recording and it's fabulous playing although not really idiomatic. Do try to hear it if you get the chance.

[Petrushka]

From the comments above, I think I may need to listen more interpretations of this piece. I have the Menuhin and Zukerman recordings and both always seemed to me to find the heart of the music. I listened to the Zehetmair performance on Rob's programme yesterday but found it on the cool side of the passionate involvement that I look for in this music. With this personal prejudice in mind could other boarders suggest performances in which the passion is more evident?

If it's passion you want then go for Perlman and the Chicago SO under Barenboim. Yes, Perlman is closely recorded but, in my view, it works and there is bucketloads of passion. Take it from me, this is the one you want.

[cloughie]

...and Martin Milner too with the Hallé years ago.

Mike

Barbirolli, right there under your baton on the front bench, could have been the man to do it!

[salymap]

I'vejust played my old LP of Campoli,Boult and LPO. Unfortunately it sounds terrible. Perhaps I need a new stylus in the player but it's painful to hear a lovely performanc sound like this.

[Chris Newman]

Hi salymap,
See your PM box
bws Chris

[Stanley Stewart]

It's time to give yourself a bleak midwinter treat, saly! A few days ago, I received the 5CD set, Boult conducts Elgar, from Amazon. £11 63, post free. In addition to the Campoli recording, the set includes the two Symphonies, Nursery Suite, Wand of Youth Suite, No 1, In the South, Enigma Variations, Falstaff Sym. Suite, Cockaigne, Cello Concerto (Pablo Casals). Froissart, Pomp & Circ 1-5 Marches and Dream Children. A consummation devoutly to be wished.

[salymap]

Thanks Stanley, I'll think about it but I have most of those works as 'Elgar conducts Elgar'CDs.



.

[Barbirollians]

It is odd that Michael Kennedy does not mention JB refusing to record the work with anyone but Kreisler in his biography but I have seen it mentioned elsewhere. The Beulah sleevenote for the Campoli/Boult strangely suggests that JB refused to record it for EMI as he never forgave them for not asking Kreisler to record it . That seems to be plainly wrong as of course Kreisler was asked and refused and also if that was the case why did he not record it with Pye ?

Apparently, he did play it in concert the same sleevenote mentions a performance with Campoli at the RFH.

I like the Zehetmair a great deal , I wasn't inspired by the Little/Davis and my feelings about the Ehnes were reflected by Mr Cotton . The Menuhin/Boult sounded so right as ever to me . It was my first recording of the work and it caused me to fall in love with it and if i had to take one performance to a desert island it would be that one warts and all . Good to be reminded of a what a first rate recording the Kennedy/Handley is too .

By the way , used copies of the excellent Bean/Groves CD on CfP are available cheaply

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elgar-Works-...7259115&sr=8-3