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EMI 9-CD set, 95694




EMI 30-CD set, 03603

Over the years, I've learned to enjoy and appreciate much of the music of Sir Edward Elgar [1857-1934]. My interest in this gifted English composer was further enhanced when EMI issued a budget-priced 30-CD set of predominently later stereo recordings ... most all the important works of Elgar in one box. I thought all the Elgar I would ever want would appear in this 30-CD boxed set.

As we are advised, "The advent of electrical recording enabled Britain's greatest living composer to crown his career with an Indian summer in the studios. etween 1926 and 1933, Elgar recorded virtually all his major orchestral works—as well as choral excerpts and lighter pieces—in accounts as vital as they are authoritative. Ranging from the Violin oncerto with the young Yehudi Menuhin to an intriguing set of piano improvisations (with Elgar at the piano), these nine s of EMI's Gramophone award-winning Edition are collected here for the first time. The Violin Concerto with Menuhin has been previously several times before the present set was issued and it seems to remain the yardstick recording for all the other performances made of this work.

With HMV and British Columbia, Elgar was paid 500 pounds per session to record anything and everything he wanted of his own works. EMI's historical remastering engineer, Andrew Walter, gives a most interesting account about the 78-rpm process back when Elgar made these recordings. Everything heard thus far illustrates some outstanding restoration from the Abbey Road Studios. The first three CDs contain material remastered by Michael J. Dutton, one of the best in the restoration business from my perspective.

The acquisition of The Elgar Edition greatly enhances the 30-CD boxed set pictured above.

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Lance G. Hill
Editor-in-Chief
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When she started to play, Mr. Steinway came down and personally
rubbed his name off the piano. [Speaking about pianist &*$#@+#]

Thanks Lance! Can I ask who did the transfers/mastering for the other 6CDs?

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George

Lance, I obtained the original gold plated EMI three 3 CD sets when isssued about twenty years ago. Elgar takes his own music at a much faster tempo than other great Elgarians. That may have been because of the time limitations of the first HMV 78's when issued in the 1920's and early 30's. For those who like Elgar taken at a brisker pace than usual, this set is a total delight and very, very highly recommended, in its newest EMI reincarnation. ++


Regards,
Mel

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I, too, have the original gold CDs of this material: the recordings were restored by taking the original metal stampers and pressing new vinyl copies from them. Astonishingly good sound, and Elgar is a master conductor of his own works. Highly recommended!

The timing situation is addressed in updated notes in the new set. It is not felt that Elgar's tempi were faster because of 78-rpm time limitations, especially when compared to his timings of his works given in live performances.

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Lance G. Hill
Editor-in-Chief
______________________________________________________

When she started to play, Mr. Steinway came down and personally
rubbed his name off the piano. [Speaking about pianist &*$#@+#]

Lance, but it sounds faster and Solti among others copied Elgar's recorded interpretations, my friend.


Regards,
mel

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This delightful thread reminds me of my visit to Elgar's birthplace musem, a couple of years ago. It appears that after the death of his dear wife Caroline, his inspiration for penning new material dried up, as he turned his attention to recording his works. Elgar embraced the new technology fully during the late 20's, also having owned several gramophone players during this time, upon which he played his own recordings. A model from the early 30's resides in the museum, complete with a pot of Elgar's own needles which he would have sharpened on a dily basis. The centre of the museum contains many of the original 78s themselves (and if I remember correctly a number of the older wax cylinders)... it's a fascinating subject, and these recordings would I admit, be most enlightening to hear...

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Cheers

Istvan