Elgar Violin Concerto - Boult: Which version?

[Barbirollians]

Agree mostly, though try Oistrakh with Klemperer for the Brahms. Oistrakh has been my favourite for the Brahms for a very long while, though in recent years some others, such as Anne-Sophie Mutter, have joined him.

FHG: I love Menuhin's Elgar conducted by the composer, but I'd say that Sammons does as well. Maybe it depends which day of the week one listens.

I have many recordings of the Brahms and Oistrakh with Klemperer ( the recording is not good with Szell) and both Mutters are very fine but Menuhin/Kempe is still my favourite.

[PJPJ]

I have many recordings of the Brahms and Oistrakh with Klemperer ( the recording is not good with Szell) and both Mutters are very fine but Menuhin/Kempe is still my favourite.

I'm hoping the Oistrakh/Klemperer recording will appear in the EMI SACD series as it has done so in Japan already.

[pastoralguy]

I'm hoping the Oistrakh/Klemperer recording will appear in the EMI SACD series as it has done so in Japan already.

I bought the Oistrakh/Szell recording on SACD and was as diasappointed with the sound quality as I had been on Lp and ordinary CD. Just horrible. Goodness knows who was responsible for the sound levels but they obviously needed their ears syringed.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

FHG: I love Menuhin's Elgar conducted by the composer, but I'd say that Sammons does as well. Maybe it depends which day of the week one listens.

Yes: the sharp, slightly bitter Dark Chocolate of Sammons or the smooth, creamy Milk Chocolate of Menuhin?

[Barbirollians]

Yes: the sharp, slightly bitter Dark Chocolate of Sammons or the smooth, creamy Milk Chocolate of Menuhin?

Not the best of your metaphors FHGL !

How about the oloroso of Sammons or the manzanilla of Menuhin ?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Not the best of your metaphors FHGL !

Exactly what I thought when I returned to this thread just now!

How about the oloroso of Sammons or the manzanilla of Menuhin ?

That's more like it!

[Barbirollians]

I am at a loss for a vinous metaphor for the disjointed Ehnes/Davis version I listened to this afternoon in the interests of giving it another go . Ehnes does play beautifully and with much feeling at times but there is something very lacklustre about the whole thing - sometimes the orchestra sounds like it is not listening to the soloist at all.

I went back to Menuhin/Boult and the passion with which the LPO play the introduction is magnificent in comparison.

[Barbirollians]

Isn't the Campoli version with Boult a delight ? Every time I play it I fall for it more and more .

[verismissimo]

Love Campoli's recordings. Every one a winner that I've heard.

Sdly that doesn't yet include the Elgar!

[Barbirollians]

Thought I would dig out this thread as usually when I want to listen to Ida H in this concerto I go for the Rattle 1984 Prom performance .

So thought I would give the Haendel/Boult another spin . Yes it is slow but heavens is it beautifully played by both soloist and orchestra . She really does make every note say something and the glow of the accompaniment is gorgeous .