Composer: Edward William Elgar
Performer: Pinchas Zukerman, Janos Starker, Norbert Blume, Robert Hill, Leslie Pearson, Robert Truman
Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Leonard Slatkin
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: RCA
Catalogue: 82876603892
Release: 2004
Size: 1.16 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
CD 01
01. In the South (Alassio), Op. 50
Symphony No. 1 in A flat major, Op. 55
02. Andante Nobilmente e semplice – Allegro
03. Allegro molto
04. Adagio
05. Lento – Allegro
CD 02
Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 63
01. Allegro vivace e nobilmente
02. Larghetto
03. Rondo – Presto
04. Moderato e maestoso
Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20
05. Allegro piacevole
06. Larghetto
07. Allegretto
08. Salut d’amour, Op. 12
CD 03
01. Froissart Overture, Op. 19
02. Cockaigne Overture, Op. 40 ‘In London Town’
Enigma Variations, Op. 36
03. Theme (Enigma): Andante
04. Variation I (C.A.E.): L’istesso tempo
05. Variation II (H.D.S-P.): Allegro
06. Variation III (R.B.T.): Allegretto
07. Variation IV (W.M.B.): Allegro di molto
08. Variation V (R.P.A.): Moderato
09. Variation VI (Ysobel): Andantino
10. Variation VII (Troyte): Presto
11. Variation VIII (W.N.): Allegretto
12. Variation IX (Nimrod): Adagio
13. Variation X (Dorabella) Intermezzo: Allegretto
14. Variation XI (G.R.S.): Allegro di molto
15. Variation XII (B.G.N.): Andante
16. Variation XIII (***): Romanza: Moderato
17. Variation XIV (E.D.U.): Finale: Allegro
CD 04
Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61
01. Allegro
02. Andante
03. Allegro molto
Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
04. Adagio – Moderato
05. Lento – Allegro molto
06. Adagio
07. Allegro, ma non troppo – Poco più lento – Allegro molto
While no one would put Leonard Slatkin’s recordings of the orchestral works of Edward Elgar in the same exalted league as the recordings of Barbirolli or Boult — recordings that stand among the greatest of anything ever recorded — no one would dispute that Slatkin’s recordings are nevertheless among the best recordings of the works in the past 20 years. Slatkin’s understanding of Elgar’s music and his ability to articulate both its grandly monumental and its deeply intimate qualities is unsurpassed among his contemporaries and his interpretations are marvelously controlled and wonderfully expressive. Of course, Slatkin is aided by the strong and sympathetic playing of the London Philharmonic and by the soulful virtuosity of violinist Pinchas Zukerman and cellist Janos Starker. And RCA does capture all their performances in clear, deep, and warm digital sound. While no one who loves Elgar’s music should be without Barbirolli and Boult’s recordings, anyone who loves Elgar’s music would like Slatkin’s recordings.