Search - Edward Elgar, Sir Adrian Boult, London Philharmonic Orchestra :: Symphony 1 in A Flat / Serenade for Strings / Chansons

Grand and miniature elgar eloquently done

Mr. Ian A. Macfarlane | Fife, Scotland | 01/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Symphony performance won 'The Gramophone's' best orchestral recording accolade in 1977 (as an LP). There is an even better Boult version on a rare 'Proms' CD (from 1976), with a tremendous final climax, but this is absolutely compelling too. It's a truly symphonic approach. The music has status and grandeur - Elgar's 'nobilmente' in the structure, not just marvellous moments. The slow movement is interesting ; no heart-on-sleeve stuff but an absolutely even, serene, inevitable forward movement, a wonderful bridge between the mercurial scherzo and that grand finale. The playing is fine, the recording better than that. The little pieces are beautiful, charming and individual in their characterisation. These are great performances which never distort but breathe truth to the music in every bar."

Desert Island Disk

Sean W. Oslin | Seattle, WA United States | 12/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's a good thing I have this recording on CD. I would have worn out several vinyl albums by now. This is absolutely specatacular music and music making. I'm astonished that this piece is not more widely know. This is Elgar in his best, Britishized Richard Strauss mode. Huge, gorgeous melodies. Structurely very tight. Amazing orchestration. Emotionally it packs a wallop. The middle movement of the scherzo makes my hair stand on end. The serene ending comes as a catharsis. This piece along with Walton's first are the high points to date of British symphonies. Hell, of all symphonies!"

Magnificent Elgar

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 07/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My only recording of Elgar's First Symphony was the recording made by the composer in the 1920's; an excellent reading but the sound quality does not match this excellent recording made in 1977. The performance of the symphony is excellent with a steady tempo that is never forced; the nobility of the music is beautifully conveyed and the transfer to CD is very good. The opening slow procession of the first movement is very effective and goes on from there with the London Philharmonic given a vigorous reading of the scherzo and an expressive and thoughtful adagio. The finale steadily builds from the lento beginning to the orchestral climax and restatement of the procession melody from the first movement. The brass section, in particular, play with great passion, producing a full and glorious sound that is also well-balanced with the orchestra.



The Serenade and the short Chanson de nuit and Chanson de matin are played tenderly with nice expression that does not become sentimental; they fill-ups go along nicely with the symphony. There are many recordings of Elgar's First Symphony but I think if you want one with some authority behind it - Adrian Boult was a longtime friend of the composer - this recording is a must.

"