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Chandos are delighted to present the first complete recording of the masque The Crown of India, performed here by Clare Shearer and Gerald Finley, with the BBC Philharmonic and Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis. Completed by Anthony Payne in 2008 the work conveys all the pomp and pageantry with which Elgar is associated. The work is presented on 2 CDs. Disc 1 includes the entire masque with narration, whilst Disc 2 contains only the music and Marches. The set is sold at the price of one full price CD.
This recording is also the first with Sir Andrew Davis, now signed exclusively to Chandos. Sir Andrew’s fascination with Elgar goes deep, including taking the symphonies all over the world. He says of The Crown of India, ‘He’s [Payne] done a terrific job. This is from Elgar’s mature period, the time of the Violin Concerto and Sospiri. There’s a ‘March of the Moguls’ which is the only march I know in three time and an exquisite interlude with solo violin.’
The elaborate pageant and theatrical presentation, The Crown of India was first staged in 1912 to celebrate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Delhi for their coronation as Emperor and Empress of India. Elgar wrote the music as his Op.66, with a libretto by Henry Hamilton. Sadly the score was only published in a piano-vocal version and the remaining orchestral parts were destroyed in the 1960s. In 2007 the Elgar Society set about a commission for Anthony Payne to complete the orchestration of the music, with the orchestral suite and marches.
Sir Andrew Davis continues to be resident in Chicago, where he has been Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Lyric Opera Chicago since 2000. His association with Chandos will see him conduct the principal BBC orchestras as well as orchestras around the world.
Edward Elgar: The Crown of India, Op. 66 (orchestration completed by A. Payne)
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Introduction
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Sacred measure
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Dance of Nautch Girls
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": India greets her Cities
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Hail, Immemorial India! (Agra)
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Well dost thou say that East and West upbear (India)
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Entrance of Calcutta
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Welcome Calcutta (India)
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Entrance of Delhi
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Stop! That place is mine (Delhi)
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Introduction
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": March of the Mogul Emperors
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Illustrious Emperors (India)
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Entrance of John Company
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Good John Company, reply (Calcutta)
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Entrance of St. George
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Calcutta, Delhi, give your quarrel pause (India)
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": The Rule of England (St. George)
Interlude
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": Introduction
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": Warriors' Dance
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": The Cities of Ind
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": Hail Festal Hour from out the Ages drawn (India)
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": March, The Crown of India (Chorus)
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": Incessu patuit Imperator (India)
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": The Homage of Ind (India)
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": The Crowning of Delhi (India, Chorus)
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": Ave Imperator! (India, Agra, Chorus)
Edward Elgar: The Crown of India, Op. 66 (orchestration completed by A. Payne, version without narration, ed. A. Davis)
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Introduction
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Sacred measure
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Dance of Nautch Girls
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": India greets her Cities
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Hail, Immemorial India! (Agra)
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Entrance of Calcutta
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Entrance of Delhi
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Introduction
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": March of the Mogul Emperors
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Entrance of John Company
Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": The Rule of England (St. George)
Interlude
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": Introduction
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": Warriors' Dance
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": The Cities of Ind
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": March, The Crown of India (Chorus)
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": The Homage of Ind (Agra, Chorus)
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": The Crowning of Delhi (Chorus)
Tableau II, "Ave Imperator": Ave Imperator (Chorus)
Edward Elgar: Imperial March, Op. 32
Imperial March, Op. 32
Edward Elgar: Coronation March, Op. 65
Coronation March, Op. 65
Edward Elgar: Empire March
Empire March
Christmas 2009
*****
“The music… is from start to finish authentic middling Elgar, highly enjoyable and well worth revival. Gerald Finley shines as St George in 'The Rule of England', however embarrassing the words. …the remarkable 1911 Coronation March, perhaps the least joyous coronation march ever written, confirms itself in this performance as a masterpiece that is on a par with any movement from the symphonies.”
January 2010
“Sir Andrew directs with contagious relish, no little charisma (witness the glinting spectacle of the "March of the Mogul Emperors") and instinctive ebb and flow, the BBC PO and Sheffield Philharmonic Choir acquitting themselves in kind with admirable skill and commitment. Both vocal soloists are excellent (Gerald Finley projects marvellously in "The Rule of England)... With its gloriously ample sonics and attractive artwork, this set should find favour with every Elgar devotee.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
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Tableau I, "The Cities of Ind": Introduction
