BARGAIN OF THE MONTH
English String Music
Edward ELGAR (1857 – 1934) Introduction and Allegro, op.47 (1905)
[14:06]; Serenade in E minor, op.20 [13:12]; Elegy, op.58 (1909) [4:30]; Sospiri,
op.70 (1914) [5:17]
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872 – 1958) Fantasia on a Theme by
Thomas Tallis (1910) [16:20]; Fantasia on Greensleeves (1929) [4:39]
Frederick DELIUS (1862 – 1934) Brigg Fair:An English
Rhapsody (1908) [18:17]
Allegri Quartet (Eli Goren and James Barton (violins), Patrick Ireland (viola),
William Pleeth (cello)), Sinfonia of London, New Philharmonia Orchestra (Elegy
and Sospiri only) Hallé Orchestra (Delius only)/Sir John Barbirolli
rec. 10-11 May 1962 (Introduction and Allegro, Serenade and Greensleeves),
16 July 1966 (Elegy and Sospiri), 15-17 July 1970 (Delius), Kingsway Hall,
London and 17 May 1962 (Tallis Fantasia), Temple Church, London. ADD
Re–issues of LPs: ASD 521 and parts of ASD 2292 and ASD 2635
CD
first issued in the GROC series
EMI CLASSICS MASTERS 6 31788 2 [76:27] 
English String Music is the name of one of Glorious John’s very best
LPs, and it has long been seen as a touchstone of great string playing, and
of great English string music. This is Barbirolli at the peak of his career,
directing music he loves. Indeed, it is one of the great records; a miraculous
achievement of the right personnel, the right conductor and the right repertoire.
Rarely comest thou, Spirit of Delight!, Elgar wrote at the head of
his 2nd Symphony, and the same could be said
of this recording. These performances defy criticism, so I am not going to
criticise merely introduce them to those unfortunate not to have heard them.
The Introduction and Allegro and Tallis Fantasia both have the
addition of the original Allegri Quartet – shame on EMI for not making mention
of their participation in large print on the cover of the booklet – and how
well the four players complement the massed strings, and join in the fabulous
music-making. JB made the first two recordings of the Introduction and
Allegro – Elgar never recorded it but knew Barbirolli’s recordings, saying
that he had never realised what a big piece it was! Barbirolli’s second (1929)
recording of the work can be found on Barbirolli Society (CDSJB 1999 – a 2
CD set of varied material). In JB’s hands it is a big piece – I have
never heard it sound so full and resplendent – and he pulls out all the stops
for this performance, giving a powerhouse of a performance. On top of that
there is the marvellous moment, at 9:46 where the great William Pleeth leads
the music into the recapitulation – sensational!
The Serenade receives a bit of a hothouse performance but it can stand
this con amore approach for JB is utterly sincere in his direction.
He even proves that the slow movement is, quite obviously, the forerunner
of the great slow movements in the Symphonies.
The Tallis Fantasia gains from being recorded in the Temple Church
and that acoustic lets the music breathe and expand to fill the space. It
also allows for the distant orchestra to be heard clearly in relation to the
full body of strings. And just listen to JB’s magnificent use of rubato
at 10:48. Superb!
The Greensleeves Fantasia brought that LP to a delectable conclusion,
and it is a lovely sweetmeat, before Delius’s visit to the countryside. Thus
ends English String Music, the LP. The only thing which could have
made it perfect would have been a reprint of Burnett James’s original sleeve-notes!
The Elegy – Elgar’s epitaph for his friend A.E. Jaeger, Nimrod
of the Enigma – and Sospiri come from an LP of Elgar’s music, which
included the five Pomp and Circumstance Marches – what a suite of music
that is! They are both deeply-felt works and JB brings out all the longing
and pathos of the music in beautifully understated performances.
This recording of Brigg Fair comes from JB’s last recording session
and what a performance it is! JB’s Delius is more romantic, more languid,
than Beecham’s, but it is equally valid. This performance makes Brigg Fair
into the symphonic movement it so obvious is – it’s more coherent, with regard
to form, than much of Delius, but it’s seldom seen that way. JB characterises
each variation well and the funeral march is especially impressive.
These transfers are exemplary. The notes, by the wonderful Michael Kennedy
are excellent. If this disk isn’t in your collection it should be. There is
no excuse for its omission. This is perfection. It’s true. They really don’t
make them like this any more.
Bob Briggs
These performances defy criticism. They really don’t make them like this any
more.