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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Elgar: Violin Concerto & Introduction and Allegro
“This remains Nigel Kennedy’s finest achievement on record, arguably even finer than the long line of versions with star international soloists from either outside or within Britain. With Vernon Handley as guide it is a truly inspired and inspiring performance and the recording is outstandingly faithful and atmospheric.” Penguin Guide | 
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| |  | Elgar: Cello Concerto
Paul Watkins is the cello soloist in a recording that showcases some of Elgar’s most popular works. He is accompanied by the BBC Philharmonic and Sir Andrew Davis, a conductor steeped in the English music tradition. Elgar studied the violin from a young age, and had some early hopes of making a career as a soloist. Consequently, he wrote for the strings of the orchestra with a special understanding and flair, not least in a handful of works for strings alone. The showpiece among these is the Introduction and Allegro, written in 1904, for the newly formed London Symphony Orchestra to be included in an all-Elgar concert. The premiere performance was conducted by the composer. Elgar started writing his Pomp and Circumstance Marches in 1901 in the wake of his national successes with the Enigma Variations and The Dream of Gerontius. The Marches vary considerably in mood. The First March gained worldwide fame largely due to the trio melody, which Elgar considered ‘a tune that comes once in a lifetime’, and the Second displays a certain air of urgency with its brazen horn calls and jaunty trio. Also on this disc is Elgar’s intimate and restrained Elegy for Strings. The Cello Concerto in E minor, written in 1918 – 19, was the last major work Elgar completed. Its mood is often described as ‘autumnal’, and highly reflective of the ageing composer’s own state of mind. At the time of writing it, Elgar was concerned about the failing health of his wife and about his own waning popularity; he was deeply disturbed, too, by the horrors of the First World War. Paul Watkins writes of his experience of recording this work: ‘It is a privilege to have the opportunity to add my voice to the many different interpretations of this iconic work. I prepared for this recording by using my experience as a conductor: in other words, to study Elgar’s masterful score as deeply as possible, and to realise how intimately the solo cello is linked to the orchestra throughout. In this respect I feel fortunate to have been working with Sir Andrew Davis. He is the most natural and intelligent interpreter of Elgar I know.’ “there are times when a recording of a popular classic comes along that's so fresh, understanding and heartfelt that it demands to be approached solely on its own terms. Paul Watkins's Elgar Cello Concerto is firmly in that class. Watkins's emotional shading is individual, without it ever sounding as though he's trying to be individual.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2012 **** “Paul Watkins is a sensitive soloist, and he and Davis clearly have a special rapport...The BBC Philharmonic strings are richly full-blooded and rhythmically taught in the Introduction and Allegro. There is a wonderful ebb and flow to the lighter passages, which radiate warmth and geniality” Graham Rogers, bbc.co.uk, 25th July 2012 “Watkins plays with consummate artistry, his golden-toned and technically flawless contribution striking a judicious balance between classical poise and unexaggerated depth of feeling...Durable rewards guaranteed, then, and the same certainly holds true for Davis's dashingly articulate, meticulously observant and superbly musical handling [of the Marches]...for the two main offerings alone every Elgarian should investigate this release” Gramophone Magazine, July 2012 “Davis, an Elgarian of perception, understands the smallest implications in the light but beautiful orchestration, ideal accompaniment to the cello. Watkins is watchful of the detail in the heartfelt opening statement...Watkins and Davis give [the finale]...a distinct dryness of utterance. Much falls into place with this approach” International Record Review, May 2012 “Watkins does so much more than just play the tunes. His range of colour and expression is tremendous, and the instrument he uses he describes in the booklet as having a “combination of burnished woody timbres and a plangent expressivity, reminiscent perhaps of an English tenor voice.”..With stunning recorded sound, what more could one ask.” MusicWeb International, June 2012 “Watkins writes in the booklet that he found it “daunting” to record Elgar’s Cello Concerto...but he rises superbly to the challenge. His playing — of exceptional beauty, refinement and technical address — is all the more remarkable given that he is no longer a full-time soloist.... With Davis, one of the most experienced of all Elgarians, as his conductor, this is a valedictory account of the composer’s last important orchestral work” Sunday Times, 22nd April 2012 “Watkins' account seems the best to have appeared on disc for years. It has intensity, presence and warmth, which never topples over into sentimentality, and Davis and the BBC Philharmonic accompany with panache; the exchanges in the scherzo are wonderfully deft. The rest of disc is equally fine.” The Guardian, 5th April 2012 ***** “Poetic pianissimos, abrupt explosions, finely tapered phrases: each of Watkins’s expressive details immediately reach the listener...There’s also perfect rapport between soloist, conductor and orchestra. Watkins’s ten years of conducting experience comes into play here...time and again the ear is moved and beguiled by Watkins’s quiet ache or varied colours or the orchestra’s sheen and fleet panache.” The Times, 6th April 2012 **** | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Elgar: Enigma Variations
Roger Norrington and the Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart de SWR present a programme of works by the most English of composers, Edward Elgar. Included is “In the South”, a somewhat neglected masterwork which has rarely been recorded. “Norrington captures the humour, the mercurial changes in mood and shading very plausibly. While one may miss the ripe, luxurious sound of a modern string section, the clarity that emerges has a lot to tell us about Elgar's textures - in this, one may well be reminded of Elgar's own recordings.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2011 **** “the SWR RSO is evidently a fine orchestra, but Norrington's insistence on such a chaste string sound inevitably brings a coolness to music that demands more expressive warmth. In other respects, these performances are uncontroversial” The Guardian, 20th October 2011 *** | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | English String Music
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| |  | Sir John Barbirolli conducts English String Music
"In the Introduction and Allegro, Sir John shows his love of the score clearly enough and his is an experienced, masterly performance. The Serenade is warm and affectionate also, but the work’s calm serenity is nevertheless skilfully preserved." Gramophone Magazine EMI MASTERS celebrates the full glory of the greatest performances from the world's greatest catalogue of recorded music. Digitally remastered at Abbey Road Studios direct from the original master tapes, these classic recordings emerge with unparalleled immediacy. You will be left in no doubt that you are in the presence of legendary musicians and ageless interpretations. “This is almost certainly the very finest recording of English string music...Moreover it might also be considered one of Barbirolli's very finest records” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Elgar - Enigma Variations
“Lithe, athletic, confident, and spaciously recorded...A top Elgar recommendation.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2010 ***** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Elgar - Enigma Variations, In The South (Alassio) & Allegro
“The opening of In the South bursts in explosively, carrying one along, and the great viola solo of the Serenade is most movingly done, leading to the ripest of horn solos.” Gramophone Magazine, December 2009 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Elgar: Enigma Variations
A high density DSD recording, live at the Barbican Centre on 6-7/1/ 2007 Enigma; 23/9 & 9/12/2005 Introduction & Allegro “…Davis is marvellous at bringing out the subtleties of Elgar's orchestration. Subsidiary middle voices that are often inaudible at the hands of less sensitive interpreters are beautifully clear here, with no need for undue emphasis, aided by an absolutely first-rate SACD recording of wonderfully natural depth and presence.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2007 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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(Recorded 1983 & 1984) ‘Kennedy’s recording of the Concerto is not to be missed. The violinist amazes with his total command. In alliance with a conductor second to none as an Elgar interpreter, Kennedy produces a reading to match any in imagination and technical mastery.’ (The Gramophone) | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Gramophone Magazine
Gramophone Awards 1985