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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
21st century Elgar, 3 Aug 2007
In a recent article in the Guardian, Sakari Oramo criticised previous English conductors of Elgar's music for hindering it's appreciation outside of these shores, citing Sir Adrian Boult's recordings for example as 'stoic' and 'stodgy'. Well, these excellent recordings go a long way to illustrate his views, and in the case of Gerontius, perhaps a little bit too far at times.
The recording of the Dream of Gerontius, as with the Enigma Variations, is outstanding in many ways. The orchestral sound coaxed by Oramo from the CBSO is rich and thrilling, aided by the quality of the recording, and the chorus proves yet again that they are one of the best around. You're unlikely to find this work better sung, all the more impressive considering the break-neck speeds that Oramo sometimes adopts. The soloists are more hit and miss. Peter Rose sings solidly, but Jane Irwin's is the stand-out performance, singing with a beautiful simplicity that stands comparison with the best interpretations of the past. Justin Lavender disappointed me slightly on first hearing, but I warmed to him slightly on subsequent listenings. His singing is impressive in places, but cannot compare with great interpretations of the past from Richard Lewis and Nikolai Gedda for example.
The most controversial aspect of the recording will undoubtedly be the conducting of Oramo, which I find swift, searing and thrilling, as far from stoic and stodgy as possible, but some may find it occasionally lacking in the familiar Elgarian nobility and grandeur. This is particularly noticeable in the big choruses, where he knocks minutes off the competition. It's a new, quite radical approach, but one that succeeds I believe, as long as the listener can forget to a certain extent more traditional recordings of the past.
No such controversies are likely to be found in Enigma, which is excellent; a fresh, flowing reading that should find great favour. The Holly and the Ivy is a delightful oddity, a world premiere recording of Elgar's setting of the the Carol, although using a more appealing melody than we are used to hearing at Christmas.
So, plenty to enjoy on this double CD set; exciting interpretations by Sakari Oramo, charaterised by fabulous playing and great attention to detail, that will not disappoint those open to a fresh approach to Elgar.
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