Stokowski conducts Elgar - Enigma Variations - New Philharmonia ('live' 1973)
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- Опубліковано 9 чер 2023
- Stokowski was a great champion of living composers right from the start of his conducting career and Elgar was no exception. In 1911, during his first conducting appointment, he gave the American premiere of Elgar's 2nd Symphony with the Cincinnati Orchestra. The following year he conducted the "Enigma Variations" for the first time and often programmed the 1st Pomp and Circumstance March.
Stokowski's only commercial recording of any of Elgar's works came near the end of his life when, at the age of 90 in 1972, he travelled to Prague to record the "Enigma Variations" 'live' with the Czech Philharmonic. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury on the journey and missed the first rehearsal. This was regrettable, as the work was new to the orchestra, so there were occasional imperfections. Despite this however, the Decca recording contained many nice moments and was well received.
The following year, on 11 January 1973, Stokowski played the "Enigma Variations" again, this time with an English orchestra in London's Royal Albert Hall. On this occasion, despite his frailty, he was able to produce a performance which music critic Martin Cooper hailed as "the finest I have ever heard."
It should be noted that this performance was not broadcast but was 'privately' taped in the hall. The sound is therefore not up to the usual standard. Still, this is Stokowski's very last performance of a work he had first conducted 61 years earlier, so it has a certain historic significance! ... Note that it has also been released as a download by 'CRQ Editions' (Catalogue No. CRQ CD 321). '
Thank you very much for this great performance!
Thank you for listening. I'm glad you like it!
I can't thank you enough for posting this. It is, indeed, regrettable that a recording in better sound was not made, but it is nevertheless a gem of a performance.
Thanks for your comment. In hindsight, the BBC should have broadcast all of Stokowski's concerts so we must be grateful that this one, which they ignored, was surreptitiously recorded in the hall..Even with the sonic limitations, you can tell how fervently the orchestra played "Nimrod"!
What a rare treasure! I wonder why it was not broadcast? Thank you very much for sharing.
Good question!
Can you tell us about the paintings please - Artist and Title.
I just googled "English Pastoral Scenes" or Worcestershire Countryside Paintings" and chose what looked the nicest!