Great Recordings Of The Century - Elgar: Violin Concerto, 'Enigma' Variations / Elgar, Menuhin [Original recording remastered]

Edward Elgar (Composer, Conductor, Performer), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Royal Albert Hall Orchestra (Orchestra), Yehudi Menuhin (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Edward Elgar
• Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Albert Hall Orchestra
• Conductor: Edward Elgar
• Composer: Edward Elgar
• Audio CD (May 4, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00000IOBP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,675 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #1 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Composers > Elgar, Edward

Track Listings

1. Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61: Movement 1

2. Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61: Movement 2

3. Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61: Movement 3

4. Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61: Movement 4

5. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: Enigma: Andante

6. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 1. (C.A.E.): L'istesso tempo

7. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 2. (H.D.S.-P.): Allegro

8. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 3. (R.B.T.): Allegretto

9. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 4. (W.M.B.): Allegro di molto

10. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 5. (R.P.A.): Moderato

11. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 6. (Ysobel.): Andantino

12. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 7. (Troyte.): Presto

13. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 8. (W.N.): Allegretto

14. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 9. (Nimrod.): Adagio

15. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 10. Intermezzo (Dorabella): Allegretto

16. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 11. (G.R.S.): Allegro di molto

17. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 12. (B.G.N.): Andante

18. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 13. Romanza (***): Moderato

19. Enigma Variations, for orchestra, Op. 36: 14. Finale (E.D.U.): Allegro - Presto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars, but not for the casual listener., November 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Recordings Of The Century - Elgar: Violin Concerto, 'Enigma' Variations / Elgar, Menuhin (Audio CD)

If you do not have the Elgar concerto already, do not make this your one and only choice. This is not for the casual listener who wants to sit back and enjoy a great violin concerto. If you want to do that, choose Kennedy/Rattle/CBSO on EMI which is simply fantastic. If you do decide to choose this historical document for your second or third recording of this piece for novelty and comparison, choose the Naxos label. They have the same recording for half the price so you won't be as upset just in case you can't stand the sound. Part of the notes for my Naxos copy states. " The present transfers were made from pre-war U.S. Victor sets, (the Elgar from a "Z" shellac pressing). The squeaking noises which can be heard on some portions of the Elgar are on the original masters." They are not kidding, you hear alot of junk in this recording and it is not for the sensitive listener. While Naxos does not sell direct, you may visit naxos.com for more information. From naxos.com - "How can Naxos Historical release recordings made by other record companies? Is this piracy? Internationally, sound recordings are protected for 50 years from the date of publication (worldwide, except in the USA). That means, any recording published or released to the public before 1950 is now out of copyright, i.e. in the public domain. Broadcasts are considered published the day they are re-broadcast. In the United States, the situation is more complicated. There, sound recordings were not protected by copyright until 1972, but by a variety of state laws, including the rights of the artist's personality, unfair competition, and the like. There is nothing illegitimate in releasing out-of-copyright sound recordings the same way it is not illegitimate to release Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Mahler without paying mechanical copyright (a fee to the composer or his publisher for the use of the printed music) to their descendants or manufacturing a drug whose patent has expired.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stunning, July 11, 2002

By 

"dfchen" (Andover, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Recordings Of The Century - Elgar: Violin Concerto, 'Enigma' Variations / Elgar, Menuhin (Audio CD)

The solo playing has so much depth to it, I really can't believe it's a sixteen year old playing. If there's a romantic concerto in the repertoire that could really be mishandled by a young player, it would be this one - but somehow Menuhin, even at that age, has managed to express the poignancy and nostalgia of the music better than anyone ever has. Of course, the disc is not without flaws. As has been noted, you can hear the squeaking and junk from the transfer, and there are some absolutely horrendous errors in ensemble between soloist and orchestra. I've heard one of Kennedy's recordings and also Perlman's. For the most part, Perlman generally doesn't get a character that I really like, and the slow tempo in Kennedy's last movement kind of bothers me. I've also heard Shaham do this concerto live on radio with Cleveland Orchestra I believe, and it was really great. Someone should convince him to commit it to CD.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional historical document, June 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Recordings Of The Century - Elgar: Violin Concerto, 'Enigma' Variations / Elgar, Menuhin (Audio CD)

The Violin Concerto, with the Elgar/Mehuhin partnership in 1932, must be heard to be believed. The interpretation is without peer, and the playing by Menuhin is outstanding. The sound quality of the concerto rivals many digital recordings. A must have for all Elgar fans!!!!

The 'Enigma' Variations will suprise you with their tempo. The sound quality (from 1926) is less impressive than the concerto, but still good. A great pairing for an exceptional CD.

Buy it today!!!