Audio CD review:
Edward Elgar, John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker - Elgar: Enigma Variations

Edward Elgar, John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker - Elgar: Enigma Variations

Band: Edward Elgar, John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker Title: Elgar: Enigma Variations Rating: Release Date: 12 March, 2002 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: In The South (Alassio) 2: Introduction And Allegro 3: Sospiri 4: Enigma Variations - Andante 5: Enigma Variations - I, C.A.E 6: Enigma Variations - Ii, H.D.S.-P. 7: Enigma Variations - Iii, R.B.T. 8: Enigma Variations - Iv, W.M.B. 9: Enigma Variations - V, R.P.A. 10: Enigma Variations - Vi, Ysobel 11: Enigma Variations - Vii, Troyte 12: Enigma Variations - Viii, W.N. 13: Enigma Variations - Ix, Nimrod 14: Enigma Variations - X, Intermezzo- Dorabella 15: Enigma Variations - Xi, G.R.S. 16: Enigma Variations - Xii, B.G.N. 17: Enigma Variations - Xiii, Romanza- --- 18: Enigma Variations - Xiv, Finale- E.D.U.

Customer Reviews 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. . You can see a complete list of all Edward Elgar, John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker discography, or go back to the Edward Elgar, John Eliot Gardiner, Wiener Philharmoniker tabs