So I've finally purchased a Barbirolli Sibelius CD; a reissue download of his late recording of the first symphony:



It's pretty good so far. Of course, I haven't gotten very far. He certainly takes a dramatic, sweeping view of the allegro proper (quite a bit slower than I've ever heard it), and he actually makes it work. It's very dramatic.

WV, when you've had time to let this sink in, I'd be very interested to read any additional thoughts you have about it. It's a recording I've been thinking of trying, myself.

Brukner 5th, Ormandy + Philadelphia.

Just to recover from a draining performance of the 9th...

World Violist wrote:

So I've finally purchased a Barbirolli Sibelius CD; a reissue download of his late recording of the first symphony: It's pretty good so far. Of course, I haven't gotten very far. He certainly takes a dramatic, sweeping view of the allegro proper (quite a bit slower than I've ever heard it), and he actually makes it work. It's very dramatic.

If you enjoy that one, then keep an eye out for J. B's recording of the second symphony, the one with the Royal P. O.
up with the greats.--kp

Now I'm listening to Hubert Soudant conducting Bruckner's 9th (with an edition of the finale... I dunno how that's going to end up sounding).

Probably after that I'll listen to Eduard van Beinum's Bruckner 8 with the Concertgebouw. That's one tremendous recording...

Sibelius, the Seventh Symphony conducted by Barbirolli.

Barbirolli's 5th & 7th are wonderful!

David Revilla wrote:

Sibelius, the Seventh Symphony conducted by Barbirolli. Barbirolli's 5th & 7th are wonderful!

Not too old fashioned I trust- --kp

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

ELGAR--PAYNE SYMPHONY No.3

Bournmouth S.O. Paul Daniel

Naxos 8.554719

Following Elgars last completed major work, the autumnal Cello Concerto [1919] the death of his wife Alice sapped away his creative muse and he described himself as 'a broken man'. However in 1930 he began something of an Indian summer, completing his 'Severn Suite, a fifth 'Pomp and Circumstance March and also sketches for a third Symphony. From this period we have distinct echos of Sibelius's 8th Symphony. Elgar remarking that the symphony was almost complete and the next minute was dashing any hope. The then leader of the London Symphony Orchestra, W. Reed actually played through the sketches with Elgar at the piano and he believed that the symphony was nearly complete. Sadly Elgar was diagnosed with cancer in 1933 and one year later he was dead. The composer had told Reed 'Don't let them tinker with it, Billy--burn it. Elgar left over 130 pages of sketches mostly in short score with only a few instrumental indications. Composer Anthony Payne began looking at Elgars sketches in 1972. much later in 1993 when the Elgar estate had relented, he began the difficult re-construction. At almost 55 minutes, the symphony is on a grand scale in four movements. The very opening theme is arresting, vigorous and dynamic and it contrasts well with the second lyrical theme which in one of the sketches Elgar marked 'Vera's theme' after a young violinist that he had fallen for. There were many gaps in the symphonies four movements, not least the missing development and coda section of first movement and how in fact Elgar intended the work to end. Anthony Payne appears to have got inside the composers mind and his elaboration of the sketches into a performable whole is a remarkable achievement.

Sadly we have precious few remaining clues in the case of Sibelius eighth Symphony, at least one version of which he did burn. So an operation similar to the Elgar-Payne is extreemly unlikely. I would urge anyone not familier with Elgar's third [elaborated by Anthony Payne] to get hold of it. Several recordings are now available including Colin Davies and LSO, and Andrew Davies with BBC Symphony, who gave the first performance on 15th February, 1998.--kp

For another angle on this work, see also The Elgar Enigmas by Simon Boswell, author of The Seven Symphonies and a distinguished member of this forum

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

Wagner: Das Rheingold
Solti/VPO, et al.

World Violist wrote:

Wagner: Das Rheingold Solti/VPO, et al.

my favorite one, world violist. i still like that one on lp & have not replaced it with it's cd counterpart.

this morning i'm giving a listen to some rvw.

kullervopete wrote:

I would urge anyone not familier with Elgar's third [elaborated by Anthony Payne] to get hold of it. Several recordings are now available including Colin Davies and LSO, and Andrew Davies with BBC Symphony, who gave the first performance on 15th February, 1998.--kp

I'd most certainly endorse this recommendation. I was deeply sceptical when I first approached it, not believing that anyone could possibly get deep enough into Elgar's mind to be able to do it successfully. I was totally wrong. After two listenings, I was won over; after three listenings I was thinking in terms of Elgar as the composer of three symphonies, not just the two I'd always associated him with.

Anthony Payne has written a book about his work on the third symphony which is well worth reading:



and he also made a CD in which he guides you through it.



It seems to be OOP now, but is still available to download from Amazon.

The whole story of the fate of the third symphony is a very moving one, and a special, very personal insight into it is given by W.H. Reed in his book 'Elgar as I knew him'.

The symphony itself is wonderful, from the great opening theme, full of warning and foreboding, through the exquisite feminine second theme, so typical of Elgar's longing in that direction, and on to the chivalric energy of the later themes, taken from the Arthur suite. The symphony disproves once and for all the notion that Elgar was some kind of burnt-out case after the cello concerto: the symphony shows no lack of inspiration - he just ran out of time and health.

Incidentally, you can't go wrong whether you choose the Paul Daniel, Colin Davis, or Andrew Davis versions.

Elgarian wrote:

Anthony Payne has written a book about his work on the third symphony which is well worth reading: and there's also an accompanying CD in which he guides you through it.

Thanks for this imf. on Paynes book and Cd, it sounds compulsive reading and listening. Incidentally this forum will be pleased to know that Anthony Payne is a commited Sibelian.--kp

Right now I'm listening to Julian Webber playing Britten's first cello suite on youtube, searching for more stuff to do for my senior recital (I definitely need to do the Shostakovich viola, but for the other piece I would need to do Bach, which I suppose isn't a bad thing at all, but still, the Britten is really cool... if I can transpose it effectively enough to bring it off...)

The Sibelius' First Symphony conducted by Saraste.



The Saraste cycle of the Sibelius' symphonies are very very beatiful recordings! An amazing (but no popular!) Sibelius conductor!

A couple days ago I found and subsequently checked out of the library James Levine's recording of the Mahler 3rd. It is absolutely the most brilliant and moving recording of this work I've ever heard, Bernstein's great and famous Sony recording being no exception. The first movement is managed with great elan and intensity, and the glorious finale is given perhaps its most immensely satisfying reading, both musically and emotionally. It's one of those recordings that make you sit back stunned for a moment and then wonder why the heck it hasn't remained in the catalog since its release.

levine/cso m3? it's great, isn't it?

dj

Yes, Levine's Mahler 3rd is really great. I'd even put it above Bernstein's Sony recording on my list... what list???

Now I'm listening to this:



Kurt Sanderling's Shostakovich 5. Simply terrifying.

I think I've at least somewhat crossed over to the "dark side" of music: I'm now listening to Pierre Boulez's "...explosante-fixe..." via Youtube. And I really like it. Very forbidding, but not sludge like late Schoenberg. It actually sounds like something Debussy might have written had he lived to be about 120...

shosty 4 right now