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Track Listings
| 1. Introduction and Allegro for string quartet and string orchestra Op. 47 (2000 Digital Remaster) |
| 2. I. Allegro piacevole |
| 3. II. Larghetto |
| 4. III. Allegretto - Come prima |
| 5. Elegy Op. 58 (2000 Digital Remaster) |
| 6. Sospiri Op. 70 (2000 Digital Remaster) |
| 7. Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (2000 Digital Remaster) |
| 8. Fantasia on 'Greensleeves' (2000 Digital Remaster) |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This collection of string pieces by English composers was recognised as a classic soon after its first release on L.P.in the 1960's. Barbirolli was himself a string player- his instrument was the cello, and these recordings do justice to his work with a fine string orchestra. All the pieces are superbly played, and the recording quality is amazing for its age. I find the single most moving piece here is Elgar's 'Sospiri', (Italian for 'sighs'). It is an immensely moving piece only lasting six minutes- in which time seems to stand still. No other recording compares.
One interesting piece of information the booklet imparts is that the Vaughan Williams Tallis Fantasia was recorded in the Temple Church, London-in the middle of the night! (when traffic noise was minimal). Apparently the film composer Bernard Herrmann, who was a friend of Barbirolli, suggested this location so as to lend a big cathedral-like acoustic to the sound-which it does.
This disc should be the first purchase in any library of British recorded music. Fabulous.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a classic recording of compositions from two of England's finest composers. The recordings on this disc were made in the early 1960s but they are excellent thanks to the EMI re mastering by Simon Gibson. There is clear and well balanced stereo separation that makes good listening. This is truly a great CD to get and worth every penny.
The performances are expertly executed from the direction of Cockney Sir John Barbirolli. And the whole disc is a classic celebration of English classical music.
The disc begins with the music from Edward Elgar and the Introduction and Allegro Op 47.with allegri string quartet. The following Serenade for strings Op 20 has charm with its Elargian style that makes it an essential example of music by Elgar. Barbirolli displays a complete understanding of Elgar here. The Elegy op 58 is formal in style and the Sospiri has a heartbreaking grief like exploration of emotion. Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis by Vaughn Williams fits well on this programme along side the introduction and Allegro Op 47 by Elgar. The Fantasia is ecclesiastical in mood. And the Fantasia on Greensleeves is beautiful.
The whole disc is superb and is worthy of a place in any collection of music by these two outstanding English composers. This is true of the facts that it is a classic recording and a very good issue that still sounds good today. It is a superb release and is highly reccomended.
The performances are expertly executed from the direction of Cockney Sir John Barbirolli. And the whole disc is a classic celebration of English classical music.
The disc begins with the music from Edward Elgar and the Introduction and Allegro Op 47.with allegri string quartet. The following Serenade for strings Op 20 has charm with its Elargian style that makes it an essential example of music by Elgar. Barbirolli displays a complete understanding of Elgar here. The Elegy op 58 is formal in style and the Sospiri has a heartbreaking grief like exploration of emotion. Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis by Vaughn Williams fits well on this programme along side the introduction and Allegro Op 47 by Elgar. The Fantasia is ecclesiastical in mood. And the Fantasia on Greensleeves is beautiful.
The whole disc is superb and is worthy of a place in any collection of music by these two outstanding English composers. This is true of the facts that it is a classic recording and a very good issue that still sounds good today. It is a superb release and is highly reccomended.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In one form or another this disc has been a part of my world since I first discovered music. I've had other recordings of some of the works here but they have been merely incidentals - fill-ups on other records and so on. One of the things I really love about great music is that there are just so many wonderful ways to play it and I usually never tire of hearing good new accounts of old favourites. But with these performances I don't think I will ever find alternative versions that could replace or even equal what Barbirolli recorded.
Elgar's Introduction and Allegro is such a wonderful piece that I do wonder why there are not that many competing versions on the market. There is a live Barbirolli that is very good. But the recording here is definitive and we rely on it to consistently remind us of what a great work this is. I hate it that we must rely on just this one account to know this but there we are. The Tallis Fantasia of Vaughan Williams has fared better and there are other very good accounts out there - Marriner's, Haitink's, Handley's - but the Barbirolli account has always been something very special. Similarly, the Elgar Serenade has not exactly been neglected but the Serenade that Barbirolli gives us here is something exceptional.
This disc is a cornerstone of any collection of string music, of English music ... or let's just say of music. It is that good.
Elgar's Introduction and Allegro is such a wonderful piece that I do wonder why there are not that many competing versions on the market. There is a live Barbirolli that is very good. But the recording here is definitive and we rely on it to consistently remind us of what a great work this is. I hate it that we must rely on just this one account to know this but there we are. The Tallis Fantasia of Vaughan Williams has fared better and there are other very good accounts out there - Marriner's, Haitink's, Handley's - but the Barbirolli account has always been something very special. Similarly, the Elgar Serenade has not exactly been neglected but the Serenade that Barbirolli gives us here is something exceptional.
This disc is a cornerstone of any collection of string music, of English music ... or let's just say of music. It is that good.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The ultimate recording
Conductors are a matter of taste, as are composers. For me this is the ultimate recording of one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Vivian Ardry
Unworthy Bewilderment Suspended.
I bought this C.D. as a result of recommendations concerning the 'Fantasia on a theme by
Thomas Tallis'. Read more
Thomas Tallis'. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Semele
Allegro Elgar
I only bought this for the Allegro which is superb so the Vaughan Williams is a bonus and also excellent
Published 15 months ago by Mr. Vincent Waterfall
Terrific
Quite simply, terrific. A tremendously exciting performance of Elgar's Introduction and Allegro, recorded with an immediacy that has rarely been surpassed. Read more
Published on 9 April 2008 by Mr. R. Jordan
Elgar's pretty good
This disc contains a rare glimpse at some of Britain's finest 20th century string music from Elgar and Vaughan Williams. Read more
Published on 26 Jun 2003 by "violin-chico"
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