Elgar, Delius: Violin Concertos

On this CD:

1. Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op. 61
Composed by Edward Elgar
Performed by New Philharmonia Orchestra with Sir Yehudi Menuhin
Conducted by Sir Adrian Boult

2. Concerto for violin & orchestra, RT vii/6
Composed by Frederick Delius
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Sir Yehudi Menuhin
Conducted by Meredith Davies

Amazon.com

Though sadly unfamiliar to audiences outside his native England, Albert Sammons was one of the greatest violinists of his time, as is amply proved by his playing on this disc. His tone, despite the recording's age, is pure, focused, intense, and unfailingly expressive, soaring radiantly in the high register. His technique is formidable, his intonation impeccable, his facility brilliant but never showy, and he uses his instrumental mastery entirely in the service of the music. The performances recorded here, expressing a deep understanding of and personal feeling for the music, are truly authentic: Delius wrote his concerto for him and accepted his technical advice, and he often performed Elgar's under the composer's baton.

Both works are thoroughly romantic and seem to breathe the pastoral, peaceful, leisurely, expansive air of the English countryside. But they also generate intense passion and bursts of brilliant virtuosity, which Sammons tosses off easily. The runs are crystal clear and always part of the music. In keeping with the style of the time, he slides a good deal, but invariably with taste and discretion; his playing is austere and unsentimental. The Delius is predominantly dreamy, atmospheric, and rhapsodic, but Sammons, aided by Malcolm Sargent, saves it from rambling. The more popular Elgar is a much stronger work. Masterfully constructed and orchestrated, somber, nostalgic, and melancholy, it abounds with beguilingly beautiful, rapturous melodies, which Sammons plays with great warmth and affection. Henry Wood's brisk tempos and famously brusque approach preclude any effusive lingering, but give the fast movements vitality and momentum. --Edith Eisler

Elgar, Delius: Violin Concertos
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Menuhin Tackles the British Concertos

Elgar, Delius: Violin Concertos

Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Delius, Frederick | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000DOCV
Release Date: 2001-02-27

Tracks:

Vn Con in b, Op.61: I. Allegro
Vn Con in b, Op.61: II. Andante
Vn Con in b, Op.61: III. Allegro Molto
Vn Con in b, Op.61: III. Cadenza (Accompagnata: Lento) - Allegro Molto
Vn Con: With Moderate Tempo
Vn Con: Slower
Vn Con: Tempo I - Allegretto - Piu Moderato

Customer Reviews:

Menuhin Tackles the British Concertos.......2004-02-07

This title from EMI's "British Composers" series showcases the great violinist Yehudi Menuhin performing stereo accounts of the Elgar and Delius Violin Concertos. These British works were conducted respectively by Sir Adrian Boult leading the New Philharmonia Orchestra (1966), and Meredith Davies with the Royal Philharmonic (1976). The Elgar is old hat for Menuhin -- he cut his teeth on this Concerto as a 16-year old, with the composer himself conducting. Most recently reissued in EMI's "Great Recordings of the Century" series, it is a disc that should be in every serious collection, though its 1932 mono sound will not appeal to all as a definitive interpretation. Boult was also quite familiar with the Elgar as he recorded it three times, this performance being the second after an earlier one with Campoli and a later one with Haendel. My only problem is none of these four aforementioned titles is one I can recommend without reservation. Parts of all of them are brilliant, but other aspects disappoint. If I had to pick one that best captures the spirit of the music it would be Menuhin's first account and not the one featured on this title, but as previously mentioned there is the issue of sound quality. On the other hand, I own only one account of the Delius so I cannot make comparisons with this work. However, like most pieces by this composer, the Delius Violin Concerto is an acquired taste, full of beautiful moments but also many eccentric ones. Overall though, this is another delightful title from the "British Composers" series, and a worthwhile purchase.

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