ELGAR

 

Elgar’s Interpreters on Record Vol.5

Broadcasts from the Leech Collection at the British Library (1935-1950)

 

CD1

The Dream of Gerontius (excerpts) (Sargent, 1935)

 

CD2

Caractacus (excerpts) (Hull, 1938)

And King Olaf heard the Cry! (Nash, 1950)

With Proud Thanksgiving (McNair, 1936)

Carillon (McNair, 1936

The Shepherd’s Song (Widdop, 1935)

 

CD3

Sea Pictures (excerpts) (Jarred, 1937)

The Dream of Gerontius (excerpts) (Boult, 1936)

The Spirit of England (Boult, 1938)

Total playing time: over 3½ hours

 

Elgar’s Interpreters on Record Vol.5

 

Broadcasts from the Leech Collection at the British Library (1935-1950)

 

This 3CD set is compiled from 'off-air’ recordings of Elgar's works from BBC broadcasts made by engineer Kenneth Leech in the 1930's.  The archive is an important document and worthy of presenting on CD. These recordings draw back a veil on musical history and some invaluable music-making, and furthermore document the performance style of the day. Unfortunately, not many of the performances are complete given the limitations of recording on disc, and having to change sides, but they have been carefully restored and re-mastered.

 

All sources for this boxset were originally recorded off-air by Kenneth Leech, and present Heddle Nash conducting in his prime, Sargent and Boult (before the war) both conducting The Dream of Gerontius in contrasting performances, Walter Widdop (frustratingly cut before the end) in his thrilling singing of the one Elgar song in this collection, and the moving performance of The Spirit of England (almost complete) in a broadcast made on the 20th anniversary of the armistice. In addition there are extensive extracts from a performance of Caractacus conducted by a great interpreter of Elgar’s music, Percy Hull.

 

What the Elgar Society have produced is a selection of Elgar broadcasts from a time shortly after the composer’s death. They show his music to be in good hands with broadcasts of rare music such as With Proud Thanksgiving and Carillon.

 

An indispensable historical document.

 

Elgar Editions 3cds EECD003-005