Elgar: Enigma Variations, Pomp & Circumstance / Andre Previn (1990)

André Previn elicits beautiful playing from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in his account of the Enigma Variations, and projects a darker, more subdued view of the score than does Sir Adrian Boult. This is a reading of substantial cumulative power, convincing through and through, and distinguished by the velvety sound of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Previn's treatment of the marches, while not exactly fiery, is genial and warm. Rhythms are nicely sprung, and the readings have a relaxed, almost playful quality about them, although they take on plenty of gravity where appropriate. The digital sound is excellent and of a wide range. –Ted Libbey

I echo the same sentiments about the Andre Previn/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra being a superb recording of both Enigma Variation and Pomp & Circumstance. It is sad this CD is out-of-print. To compare this with another highly recommended in-print version by Sir Adrian Boult and Sir John Barbirolli conducting the London Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic Orchestra respectively, to my ears the performances on the Previn disc are vastly superior. To my ear, the orchestra under Previn plays with a lot more passion and gusto so I think this is definitely the superior recording. Amazon

Tracklisting

01. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : Theme (Andante) /1:17/
02. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 1. C.A.E. (L'istesso tempo) /1:49/
03. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 2. H.D.S.-P. (Allegro) /0:48/
04. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 3. R.B.T. (Allegretto) /1:27/
05. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 4. W.M.B. (Allegro di molto) /0:31/
06. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 5. R.P.A. (Moderato) /2:02/
07. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 6. Ysobel (Andantino) /1:22/
08. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 7. Troyte (Presto) /1:01/
09. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 8. W.N. (Allegretto) /2:00/
10. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 9. Nimrod (Adagio) /4:12/
11. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 10. Intermezzo: Dorabella (Allegretto) /2:41/
12. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 11. G.R.S. (Allegro di molto) /0:59/
13. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 12. B.G.N. (Andante) /2:41/
14. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 13. Romanza: *** (Moderato) /2:49/
15. 'Enigma' Variations Op 36 : 14. Finale: E.D.U. (Allegro - Presto) /5:16/
16. 'Pomp and Circumstance' Op 39 : No 1 in D major /6:39/
17. 'Pomp and Circumstance' Op 39 : No 2 in A minor /3:05/
18. 'Pomp and Circumstance' Op 39 : No 3 in C minor /5:50/
19. 'Pomp and Circumstance' Op 39 : No 4 in G major /5:03/
20. 'Pomp and Circumstance' Op 39 : No 5 in C major /5:35/



hotfile | filesonic


No mirror, please