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Edward Elgar - Elgar: Enigma Variations Audio CD

A fair review of the Edward Elgar "Elgar: Enigma Variations" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Edward Elgar reviews here, or go back to the Edward Elgar tabs.

Edward Elgar Band: Edward Elgar
Title: Elgar: Enigma Variations
Rating:
Release Date: 2002-03-12
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: In the South ('Alassio'), concert overture for orchestra, Op. 50 2: Introduction and Allegro, for string quartet & string orchestra in G major, Op. 47 3: Sospiri, adagio for strings, harp & organ, Op. 70 4: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: Enigma: Andante 5: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 1. (C.A.E.): L'istesso tempo 6: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 2. (H.D.S.-P.): Allegro 7: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 3. (R.B.T.): Allegretto 8: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 4. (W.M.B.): Allegro di molto 9: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 5. (R.P.A.): Moderato 10: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 6. (Ysobel.): Andantino 11: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 7. (Troyte.): Presto 12: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 8. (W.N.): Allegretto 13: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 9. (Nimrod.): Adagio 14: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 10. Intermezzo (Dorabella): Allegretto 15: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 11. (G.R.S.): Allegro di molto 16: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 12. (B.G.N.): Andante 17: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 13. Romanza (***): Moderato 18: Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 14. Finale (E.D.U.): Allegro - Presto

Terrific all Elgar disc
Fear not, the slow passages are also played beautifully and it all sounds very lush. With their muscular introduction of "In the South", Gardiner and the Vienna ensemble serve notice that this will be no ordinary Elgar reading.

One of the benefits of this CD is that all four works are by Elgar and you can listen to the CD from start to finish as a cohesive whole. It is, sadly, too common for the centerpiece of a CD (in this case "Enigma Variations") to be surrounded by poorly chosen or just plain mediocre filler. That's certainly not the case here, as careful consideration was clearly given to the selection and the performance of the entire program.

I was not previously a big fan of "In the South" but I quickly became a convert with the beautiful reading here. The "Introduction and Allegro" provides a nice change of pace to the darker "Sospiri" that follows. I was previously unfamiliar with "Sospiri" and now can't believe how overlooked that piece is - possibly because it's just under six minutes long. But the version here is achingly beautiful and it was brilliant programming to use it to precede the "Enigma Variations". The "Enigma Variations" are possibly Elgar's most popular work and will be most people's primary draw to this disc. The Vienna ensemble plays it as if Elgar were a born Austrian and it works terrifically. There are, perhaps, more notable performances of this fine work but this version holds its own. Combined with the three other Elgar pieces, it's a must own disc and one of the first I'd recommend if shopping for Elgar for the first time.


Enigma
The orchestra is very responsive to the conductor who is probably one of the finest in our age. What a wonderful performance of this beloved piece.


A Moving Experience
This is some of the most powerful music this or that side of Beethoven. For anyone who enjoys classical music, beware. Excellent sound quality as well, this CD is a real treat.


Great performance; great recording
That dark, fullbodied sound really helps. These Enigma Variations are as good as any I've ever heard, and better than most. The Alassio overture is indeed Straussian, and that's no drawback. The great Sospiri, one of the most beautiful works I know, doesn't match Hurst's or Barbirolli's versions precisely because the sound is too big, with an overabundance of strings. But Gardiner's version is still a wonderful experience. Try his Chabrier disc, also with the VPO--it's fine also.


Gardiner shines in Elgar, but it's the orchestra you'll want this CD for
But here the sheer luxury of hearing that amazing orchestra doing Elgar, especially "In the South," makes this a very special CD. Gardiner is a fairly ordinary conductor technically, not remotely in the same league as the great ones who have appeared with the Vienna Phil. I can think of greater readings of each piece, particularly under Barbirolli, but who has ever heard them in such aristocratic surroundings?.


You can see a complete list of all Edward Elgar discography, or go back to the Edward Elgar tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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