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Alison
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« Reply #45 on: 21:55:56, 03-06-2007 » |
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Seems that we didnt miss much, Bryn.
(Previn has good RPO timps in P&C 4)
So whats the kingdom decision Tony Watson-Marr ?
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Bryn
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« Reply #46 on: 23:43:44, 03-06-2007 » |
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What ho, Alison. Did you get my emails re. the The Rite? The earlier (CBS/Sony) Cleveland recording on CD arrived a couple of days ago. I haven't checked it out yet (but I have got the LP somewhere, and seem to remember he was up to his usual trick re. that Molto allargando. Looking forward to the arroval of the Sargent Elgar 2 issue of the BBCMM at my local market stall. I went a bit OTT re. the recent Turangalila. I got 10 extra copies for 'laying down'. If only I had done the same with the Wigglesworth Mahler 10, rather than just getting a few extras.
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roslynmuse
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« Reply #47 on: 23:48:58, 03-06-2007 » |
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Just a brief report from Manchester to say that both of Mark Elder's Elgar concerts were stunning - a 2nd Symphony that makes one reel to think there was no enthusiasm for the work at its premiere, and a performance of The Kingdom to silence any view of it as being a longwinded work - in fact, the pacing was such that it seemed structurally concise, full of tonal contrast, original orchestration and a way with the choral writing that is way ahead of Gerontius.
Look out for the broadcast of the symphony when it comes around. (Unfortunately the oratorio wasn't taped).
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Stanley Stewart
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« Reply #48 on: 12:01:49, 04-06-2007 » |
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# 47 Thank you for your update, roslynmuse. I haven't seen any reviews for the Halle/Kingdom performance and it has probably been sidelined by the CBSO performance on R3 tonight. I really was tempted to 'go the distance' because of this but last night's "The Apostles" more than compensated for the unfortunate "Gerontius" on the previous evening.
However, we also had David Pownall's play, "Elgar's Rondo", after the broadcast of "The Apostles", and it really illuminated my understanding of the Second Symphony; the early Halle recording with 'Glorious John', a cherished companion for longer than I care to remember.
I also appreciated the interval feature with Tom Service and Anthony Payne, reminding me how informative these conversations can be. More and more, we get sound-bite wittering from presenters and I find that I have stopped listening until the applause tells me that a performance is about to commence.
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Stanley Stewart
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« Reply #49 on: 17:24:35, 06-06-2007 » |
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The R3 celebrations ended last night with a most compelling performance of Elgar's Second Symphony. I have at least half a dozen "favourite" recordings of this work, starting with Barbirolli/Halle in the 60's, but Andrew Davis and the Philharmonia made me wish that I'd been present at the QEH last month. Additionally, I would have had the benefit of the full concert and not the edited programme we heard last night. Amusingly, even this presentation over-ran but the conversation between Tom Service and Anthony Payne made it worthwhile. Perhaps the rigid programmers are learning the need for flexibility; including a volte-face on the straight-jacketing of the MBs this very day.
My, we do live in interesting times.
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trained-pianist
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« Reply #50 on: 17:56:00, 10-06-2007 » |
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Elgar is COTW next week. I am looking forward to hearing it. I am not as busy and hope to catch most of the programs.
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Lord Byron
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« Reply #51 on: 18:08:57, 10-06-2007 » |
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go for a walk
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Il Grande Inquisitor
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« Reply #52 on: 18:26:59, 10-06-2007 » |
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The R3 celebrations ended last night with a most compelling performance of Elgar's Second Symphony. I have at least half a dozen "favourite" recordings of this work, starting with Barbirolli/Halle in the 60's, but Andrew Davis and the Philharmonia made me wish that I'd been present at the QEH last month. Additionally, I would have had the benefit of the full concert and not the edited programme we heard last night. Amusingly, even this presentation over-ran but the conversation between Tom Service and Anthony Payne made it worthwhile.
I agree, Stanley. I was lucky enough to have been at the Anvil concert a few days before this QEH one (Froissart instead of the Serenade) and agree that the Second Symphony was beautifully done, with plenty of poignancy. James Ehnes was very good also in the concerto. I believe that Decca will make these two Elgar Philharmonia concerts available for download in the near future. go for a walk
I shall also look forward to the COTW programmes, which will also explore the countryside which inspired Elgar. I've done a fair bit of walking the Malverns during the past couple of years and have visited the birthplace museum and Elgar's grave. Here are a few photos, including one taken from British Camp, which is a setting in his 'Caractacus' (bottom photo):    |
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« Last Edit: 19:02:20, 10-06-2007 by Il Grande Inquisitor »
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Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency
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trained-pianist
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« Reply #53 on: 18:45:04, 10-06-2007 » |
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My friend here loves Elgar and visited the place where he lived. I am only dreaming to go there because he said if you see the place you then when you hear the music you will understand it better. I am going for a walk, my Lord, together with TP. Your word is my command. Yesterday we had a walk in a nice wood near by. Just across there is Silver Beach of Barna. Here is a picture of it on a very good day for swimming.  My friend lives in near by town a little bit further up the road on a cost. You can understand his music better too when you look at the place. One has to see (or imagine) Russian stepes with no end for better understanding of Rachmaninoff. Or see his cousin dacha near Moscow (Siloti, Liszt's student) to understand him better. |
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Stanley Stewart
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« Reply #54 on: 20:05:09, 10-06-2007 » |
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t/p and IGI (such lovely, evocative pics). I, too, will be listening to COTW.
"Rarely, rarely comest thou come Spirit of Delight".
Bws, Stanley
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Tony Watson
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« Reply #55 on: 20:56:52, 10-06-2007 » |
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In case you're all wondering, yes I did play in The Kingdom yesterday after all (see messages earlier in this thread). It was a rare opportunity to be involved in a performance of that and the bass clarinet doesn't get used very often. (Elgar's a very good orchestrator and writes well for the instrument.) I don't know why I dragged my feet - perhaps because I value my free time at the weekend too much.
Anyway, I enjoyed it. It's the sort of music that grows on one but, despite the fact there have been other performances recently elsewhere, I wonder how often it will be played or listened to when it's not an Elgar anniversary year.
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Alison
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« Reply #56 on: 21:03:27, 10-06-2007 » |
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Well done Tone-eee. I hope some of the audience were thinking of you as they were applauding.
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Il Grande Inquisitor
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« Reply #57 on: 21:07:45, 10-06-2007 » |
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I'm glad you enjoyed it, Tony. Do you know his early wind quintet music? The Nash Ensemble included some in one of their Wigmore Hall concerts earlier this year and it's charming - no horn, but a second flute, reflecting the resources Elgar had available to him. Elgar, as I'm sure you know, played bassoon. There are some whimsical titles, such as 'Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup' and 'Madame Taussaud's'.
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Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency
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Tony Watson
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« Reply #58 on: 21:14:42, 10-06-2007 » |
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Well done Tone-eee. I hope some of the audience were thinking of you as they were applauding.
Oh sure, Aleeeeeee! I like to think that many of them were only there in the first place because word had got around that I was going to appear. And, IGI, I'm afraid I don't know his early chamber music, although it was intriguing to hear snatches of it during the Ken Russell film recently. There were a few examples of his more obscure orchestral music on the Daily Telegraph CDs last week: the Coronation March, Empire March and Imperial March. And I saw a CD of his early parlour music (if that's the right word) in the shops yesterday, accompanied by a particular piano of the period. I can't remember the details but it was the sort of instrument that might have been found in a Victorian house. |
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« Last Edit: 07:58:22, 11-06-2007 by Tony Watson »
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Stanley Stewart
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« Reply #59 on: 00:52:12, 11-06-2007 » |
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# 55 The Kingdom. "I wonder how often it will be played or listened to when it's not an Elgar anniversary year."
Tony, I have a hunch that there will be a huge Elgarian revival during the next decade. The centenary of the death of Edward VII, in 2011, will probably bring renewed interest in the two symphonies with many performances of the second symphony in its centenary year. This may also trigger a fresh appraisal of the Edwardian age and its music.
The years up to the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914 will also promote the full range of his choral work which is likely to be sustained until the cessation of hostilities are remembered in 1918. The Cello Concerto will then have a life its own as the post 1918 years are reviewed. A dip in his popularity may follow throughout the 2020s but the centenary of his death in 1934 will start the ball rolling again, internationally.
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