Following a highly-praised recording of Symphony
No. 1 last year, Edward Gardner and the BBC
Symphony present here an electrifying
interpretation of Elgar's Symphony No. 2, with the
addition of one of his most performed works: the
Serenade for Strings.
Having now become experts in British repertoire
with highly lauded series of Walton and Britten,
they reveal all the aspects of Elgar's masterpiece in
this surround sound recording. Symphony No. 2 is
richly orchestrated and skilfully constructed,
drawing on hugely varied resources of harmony,
rhythm and melody, and making considerable use
of thematic transformation as a unifying technique.
While the Symphony No.2 is one of the greatest
products of Elgar's maturity, the Serenade in E
minor for Strings is perhaps the most charming
product of his youth. In this three-movement piece
dominated by a deeply passionate Larghetto, the
strings of the BBC Symphony superbly encapsulate
all the emotions offered by this graceful work:
tender, lyrical and intense.
Symphony No.2, Op.63 (1903-04, 1909-11) 54:56
1. I. Allegro Vivace E Nobilmente
2. II. Larghetto
3. III. Rondo: Presto
4. IV. Moderato E Maestoso
Serenade, Op.20 (1892) 11:31
5. I. Allegro Piacevole
6. II. Larghetto
7. III. Allegretto - Come Prima |
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