Desert Island: Ravel Piano Concerto and Elgar Symphony

[Alison]

Please choose one of each.

What decisions these would be:

For now I'll go for Ravel in G and the Elgar Second.

How about you ?

Mention of recordings to sway opinion gladly received.

[Mr Pee]

I'd also plump for the G Major concerto, and having just this afternoon listened to Mark Elder's recording of Elgar 1, I would have to choose that. What a symphony- the slow movement in particular. It never fails to move me very deeply.

Mind you, tomorrow I'll probably listen to Elgar 2 and choose that instead.....

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I'd also choose the G major concerto, preferably in Pascal Rogé's recording with Charles Dutoit and the Montréal Symphony Orchestra.

The Elgar would have to be the First - there are so many great recordings to choose from, but I'd probably return to Barbirolli.

[Brassbandmaestro]

I would choose the Elgar 1st. Definetly with Barbirolli. I would have Zimmerman and Boulez with the Ravel PC in G

[Roehre]

If the choice is between Ravel's G-major concerto and Elgar's 2nd, it wpuld be elgar.
But I have to concur with the other MBoarders who prefer Elgar's 1st in stead.

[johnb]

Please choose one of each

That's impossible! I love both Ravel Piano Concertos and both of the Elgar Symphonies.

[Petrushka]

The choice for the Ravel concerto is much, much easier than the Elgar. Definitely the G Major concerto for me. Astonished to see that I only have one recording on my shelves: Argerich/LSO/Abbado but that will do me. As for the Elgar, the very first recording of one of the symphonies I bought was No 1 with the LPO and Sir Georg Solti back in April 1975. I've heard very many since but for that mythical desert island I'll have that.

[Ferretfancy]

Michelangeli in the Ravel surely? There's a run of trills towards the end of the first movement in which he manages to make the piano produce a true glissando, like a musical saw in the way it glides over the notes -magic ! This with it's coupling of Rachmaninov 4 would be in the top ten favourites in my entire collection.
Elgar's second for me rather than the first, but I probably wouldn't take either to the desert island, much as I enjoy them,

[Alison]

On balance it would be the Ravel G major... or would it???? even as I'm typing, I'm missing the Left hand one.....

Yes, that sums up the dilemma for me, Caliban.

I am extremely enthusiastic about the new Bavouzet readings on Chandos. I don't agree with the Guardian review that these
performances are too lightweight. Nor (for once) do I feel that the BBCSO is any hindrance to pleasure. Their lack of creamy
timbre makes for a most refreshing listen. Yan Pascal Tortelier is without peer in this repertoire surely ??
The opening of the Left Hand work is superbly characterised.

[StephenO]

Elgar's First has a very special place in my heart so definitely that. As to conductor, either Boult or Solti - very different interpretations, I know, so please can I have both?! For Ravel I'd choose the G major concerto with Zimerman and Boulez. I'm not keen on the latter's Mahler but love his Ravel.