Search - Edward Elgar, Tadaaki Otaka, BBC National Orchestra of Wales :: Elgar: Symphony No.1/Introduction And Allegro

Elgar 1st/BBC Welsh/Otaka

KH | Chicago, IL | 02/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a truly dark horse recording--small Scandanavian record company, a regional radio orchestra, and a Japanese conductor largely unknown outside Japan or the UK. Surprise! It's the best Elgar 1st on disc. Sound is demonstration quality, the orchestra is world class, and the conducting daringly slow yet never ponderous. Otaka extracts the most ravishing beauty from the slow movement, and at the end of the finale packs a powerful punch.The Intro and Allegro is an excellent filler with superb solo work from the first chair players.This would be my first choice for this music on CD."

Towering performance

Daveyboy | UK | 01/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree completely with the above review of this work - this is indeed a dark horse recording. It is simply the best version of this work I've heard on CD. A well balanced, airy and warm sounding recording, and a towering performance by a little known Japanese conductor. Why this version is not better known is beyond me - it deserves much wider recognition."