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In the First Symphony Vernon Handey's live version on the LPO's own label-originally issued in an Elgar Box and now reisued as a seperate disc,coupled with Dame Janet Baker's superb account of Sea Pictures-comes in suprisingly warm sound. --Gramophone,Aug 2010
One of the TOP ALBUMS OF 2010 --Sunday Times
One of the TOP ALBUMS OF 2010 --Sunday Times
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Briefly, if you're looking for these works by the same artists then there are better versions available. Handley's recording of the symphony with the LPO is still available on CFP - the two interpretations are equally good, but the CFP is a better recording. Janet Baker recorded Sea Pictures with Barbirolli on a now iconic disc coupled with Du Pre playing the Cello Concerto. I find this earlier version preferable by far: although orchestral detail is less realised on the earlier recording, Baker's voice is lighter, more controlled, and I feel she's more sympathetic to the (not very good) poems.
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3 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
**** 1/2 A great live Elgar concert
31 Dec 2010
Format:Audio CD
The lead reviewer seems knowledgeable and fair, but he misrepresents Handley's Elgar First as unusually fast. In the first movement this reading takes 19 min., but the average among various rivals (I did a spot check) is 20 min. A fast pace would be closer to Solti at 17 min.+. As for the entire performance being slow compared to Barbirolli, most of the difference occurs in the first movement, where I'd say it was Barbirolli who was slow, not Handley who was fast. In any case, the metronome is a bad critic. In musical terms Handley is more energized and uses less expressive rubato than the standard British reading, which is all to the good, I think. Elgar suffers from a certain comfortableness under many old hands, and Handley's vigorous approach, with its added dramatic contrast, sounds refreshing. At times the execution turns a bit rough and ready, but I prefer that to worn velvet.
I have to agree with the lead reviewer, however, about Janet Baker's all but definitive singing of the five Sea Pictures. Even though the date is 1984, a couple of decades after her famous studio account with Barbirolli, the voice is in splendid shape, showing age mostly in less than ideal support for long held notes. In terms of passion and musical insight, it's all still there, and some listeners might even prefer this less fervent account. The sound, however, is too distant for the greatest vocal impact; it's a shame the mikes weren't closer to the soloist. The same placement works well enough in the symphony, although I must concur that the solo harp is a bit too faint in the Scherzo. There's no doubt that the LPO was inspired by this commemorative concert, and Handley was on home ground. I'm holding back half a star simply to warn about the distancing of Baker's voice.
I have to agree with the lead reviewer, however, about Janet Baker's all but definitive singing of the five Sea Pictures. Even though the date is 1984, a couple of decades after her famous studio account with Barbirolli, the voice is in splendid shape, showing age mostly in less than ideal support for long held notes. In terms of passion and musical insight, it's all still there, and some listeners might even prefer this less fervent account. The sound, however, is too distant for the greatest vocal impact; it's a shame the mikes weren't closer to the soloist. The same placement works well enough in the symphony, although I must concur that the solo harp is a bit too faint in the Scherzo. There's no doubt that the LPO was inspired by this commemorative concert, and Handley was on home ground. I'm holding back half a star simply to warn about the distancing of Baker's voice.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Handley conducts Elgar
16 Aug 2010
Format:Audio CD
This 1984 concert was given in honor of the 50th anniversary of the composer's death. While maestro Handley, who died in 2008, left us a fine cycle of the Vaughan Williams symphonies (recently reissued as a part of EMI's monumental 30 CD Vaughan Williams Collector's Edition), his performance here is curiously tepid and restrained. Perhaps the very solemnity of the occasion induced him to reign in his emotions and plow ahead with that stereotypical British stiff upper lip.
Handley's performance of the Symphony has none of the grandeur, intensity, or ineffable beauty of Sir John Barbirolli's classic EMI recording. Handley's tempos are consistently faster than Barbirolli's, especially in the opening movement. Indeed, Handley shaves nearly two and a half minutes off of Barbirolli's time, rushing past many a touching moment or poignant detail. Even the orchestral colors seem strangely muted here. Among other things, Handley seems to have given the harpist the night off. The recorded sound lacks the presence and heft of Barbirolli's EMI disc, and there's considerable tape hiss.
Although Janet Baker had retired from the operatic stage two years before this concert, her voice was nearly as radiant as ever and her performance of Elgar's five Sea Pictures as captured on this disc is stunning. Baker was, after all, peerless as an interpreter of the orchestral songs of Mahler, and she makes these exquisite Elgar creations seem every bit as moving and powerful as Mahler's best work. Handley proves himself to be a sensitive accompanist, and Baker, even at this late stage in her career, still has enough volume to soar above the orchestra whenever necessary. Still, if forced to choose, I'd prefer Baker's EMI recording with Barbirolli. The sound was much cleaner and more vividly detailed, and Baker's voice back then was as fresh and sweet as a sunny spring day.
Handley's performance of the Symphony has none of the grandeur, intensity, or ineffable beauty of Sir John Barbirolli's classic EMI recording. Handley's tempos are consistently faster than Barbirolli's, especially in the opening movement. Indeed, Handley shaves nearly two and a half minutes off of Barbirolli's time, rushing past many a touching moment or poignant detail. Even the orchestral colors seem strangely muted here. Among other things, Handley seems to have given the harpist the night off. The recorded sound lacks the presence and heft of Barbirolli's EMI disc, and there's considerable tape hiss.
Although Janet Baker had retired from the operatic stage two years before this concert, her voice was nearly as radiant as ever and her performance of Elgar's five Sea Pictures as captured on this disc is stunning. Baker was, after all, peerless as an interpreter of the orchestral songs of Mahler, and she makes these exquisite Elgar creations seem every bit as moving and powerful as Mahler's best work. Handley proves himself to be a sensitive accompanist, and Baker, even at this late stage in her career, still has enough volume to soar above the orchestra whenever necessary. Still, if forced to choose, I'd prefer Baker's EMI recording with Barbirolli. The sound was much cleaner and more vividly detailed, and Baker's voice back then was as fresh and sweet as a sunny spring day.
Excellent Live Recording of a Classic Elgar Symphony
8 Jun 2011
Format:Audio CD
The London Philharmonic is in superb form under the direction of English music specialist Vernon Handley. Dame Janet Baker (contralto) is excellent in Elgar's Sea Pictures, an interesting addition to any collection. But, let's me honest here, the main reason for this disc is for Elgar's great Symphony #1. The LPO does not disappoint. While the recording is a bit distant for my taste (as if recorded from the back of the concert hall), it is a live recording, so the recording can be forgiven. This is not to say that the record lacks clarity, it is still vibrant. The orchestra really comes to life in the Adagio (3rd Movement), where you can truly hear the strings breathing with passion.
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