Post by terence June 1, 2007 (1 of 17)
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Post by akiralx June 1, 2007 (2 of 17)
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Post by fafnir June 1, 2007 (3 of 17)
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akiralx said:
Somehow I think the former will be more objectively accurate.
I agree. Of course, caution is always in order in evaluating reviews before making a purchasing decision, but is especially necessary when the subject of the review has achieved the extraordinary status often accorded Sir Colin.
Prior to reading Hurwitz's review, I was considering a purchase. Since I generally agree with his reviews about 80 percent of the time (a very high average for me), and am almost always in accord with respect to Davis (the new Sibelius 2 being a recent case in point), this disc has been placed the "not purchase" list. I would bet, though, that the forthcoming review from Gramophone will be glowing.
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Post by Edvin June 1, 2007 (4 of 17)
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I intended to write a review of this but have very little time now. A few words only.
Davis recorded this piece, Enigma, in the mid sixties for Philips and it was a dull performance. This one is even duller. The faster movements are all slow to very slow. The theme is hasty and lacks charm and affection. The famous Nimrod is beautifully played, but it doesn´t save the performance for me. There is also a lack of grandeur in the finale. A major disappointment for me. I played the Sinopoli after this and entered another world at once. A world full of beauty and understanding. And there are many others of course that are much better. Even the Paavo Järvi is better if you must have it on SACD.
The filler is ok but no match for the fiery Barbirolli. I read that Davis has recorded the Tchaikovsky fourth, and my heart didn´t skip a beat.
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Post by akiralx June 1, 2007 (5 of 17)
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Edvin said:
... I played the Sinopoli after this and entered another world at once. A world full of beauty and understanding.
Sinopoli's Elgar First Symphony is my favourite, fabulous - I love many of his Philharmonia DG recordings: the Pathetique, Tosca, Bruckner 5 and 8.
And I've just enjoyed his recently released live Dresden Staatskapelle Profil set of Mahler 9 (very expansive) and Tod und Verklarung.
In fact I'm seeking out his DG Strauss CDs with the NYPO and Staatskapelle.
He could be variable, but when on song the results are often revelatory.
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Post by terence June 1, 2007 (6 of 17)
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thanks for your comments chaps.
i must say that i WANTED this enigma to be good but suspected (given my previous experiences with LSO live/davis) that it wouldn't be - i too find hurwitz normally v. reliable (except he overrates many of the telarc/jarvi discs), and so too is our own edvin! so i think that sadly i will have to scratch this one off the wish-list.
oh and yes OF COURSE gramophone will rave. i'll be astonished if it doesn't.
v. interested in what you say about sinopoli's elgar 1, and will try to find a copy. did he also record the 2nd. symphony?
i think i have his cello concerto with maisky somewhere but haven't listened to it.
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Post by tream June 1, 2007 (7 of 17)
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akiralx said:
Sinopoli's Elgar First Symphony is my favourite, fabulous - I love many of his Philharmonia DG recordings: the Pathetique, Tosca, Bruckner 5 and 8.
And I've just enjoyed his recently released live Dresden Staatskapelle Profil set of Mahler 9 (very expansive) and Tod und Verklarung.
In fact I'm seeking out his DG Strauss CDs with the NYPO and Staatskapelle.
He could be variable, but when on song the results are often revelatory.
I don't have a lot of Sinopoli's recordings but agree with the comment about revelatory when on, and the variability. I feel that way about his Tannhauser - best version I've heard, and makes you realize how absolutely beautiful this score is. After this, hearing his so-so Dutchman was a huge disappointment.
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Post by ramesh June 1, 2007 (8 of 17)
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And it was an excellent Italian theatrical coup for Sinopoli to cash in his chips during a performance of, I think, Aida. I wonder if Paavo died, conducting, say, Parsifal, if the orchestra would notice until the end of the act.
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Post by akiralx June 1, 2007 (9 of 17)
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terence said:
v. interested in what you say about sinopoli's elgar 1, and will try to find a copy. did he also record the 2nd. symphony?
Yes, but that is less recommendable (though fascinating in its own way) owing to slow tempi and an editing error which leads to there being an incorrect number of harp chimes - though as the two single CDs are deleted and reissued as a DG Double just regard the Second as a bonus for occasional listening.
For a classic digital Philharmonia Elgar 2 (and what Sinopoli's might have been) just get Haitink's great EMI version.
A pity Furtwangler's Elgar 2 wasn't preserved (he is supposed to have conducted it), and Karajan also found the score of absorbing interest in the 1980s, but never performed it - it would have to have been with another orchestra/label than the BPO/DG as apparently neither were interested.
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Post by Peter June 2, 2007 (10 of 17)
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My copy of the Davis arrived this morning, Building a Library on radio 3 was devoted to the Intro and Allegro, and a free copy of the Enigma et al with the RPO under Nik Davies (who he?) came with this morning's Telegraph. An abundance of riches.
Barbirolli's 1962 recording with the Sinfonia of London was top recommendation for BAL.
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