Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
March Pomp and Circumstance Op. 39 no. 3 [6.58]
Nimrod from Variations on an Original Theme Op. 36
[3.58]
Sonata in G Op. 28 [26.20]
Sospiri Op. 70 [4.58]
Severn Suite Op. 87 [15.57]
Solemn Prelude: For the Fallen from The Spirit of
England Op. 80 [6.46]
March Pomp and Circumstance Op. 39 no. 5 [7.30]
Robert Quinney (organ)
rec. Westminster Abbey, no date given. DDD
SIGNUM SIGCD266 [74.36]
I could not fault this excellent disc of works by Elgar played by
Robert Quinney on Westminster Abbey organ. The disc is well-presented, with
entertaining and well-written booklet notes by Robert Quinney himself. These
contain plenty of detail on the works and transcriptions - where applicable
- featured, covering in full their backgrounds and characteristics. The
biography of Quinney is followed by the full specification of the Harrison
and Harrison organ in Westminster Abbey. This is guaranteed to delight organ
buffs! We are also given photographs of the instrument - a couple of them
rather good and art-y.
The disc itself presents an interesting range of music - mostly
arrangements for organ of Elgar’s music, but with the focus of the
disc the impressive Sonata in G. I was at first a little disappointed at the
choice of including arrangements over and above that of the other,
smaller-scale, organ music, yet all featured here are beautifully-crafted,
and work well for the instrument.
The third Pomp and Circumstance March opens the disc, in an
arrangement by pianist Iain Farrington, followed by Nimrod from the
Enigma Variations, here arranged by W. H Harris. One at once notices
the imaginative use of registration, and the fact that Quinney’s
performances are very colourful, as he fully exploits the characteristics of
the organ. We have especially good contrasts in the fourth movement of the
ensuing Sonata in G; whilst the intimacy of Sospiri, in a rendition
by Quinney himself, which follows the Organ Sonata, is well-realised. The
Severn Suite - another Farrington transcription - is, again, brought
to life in a vivid performance, whilst the Solemn Prelude from The
Spirit of England is full of nobility and pathos. The disc concludes
with the fifth Pomp and Circumstance - a suitable rousing conclusion
to a really rather excellent disc. At over seventy-four minutes long, one
receives one’s pennies-worth: a high standard of both music-making and
presentation.
Em Marshall-Luck
I could not fault this excellent disc.