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Sir Andrew Davis takes his multi-award-winning Elgar discography to the next level with breathtaking interpretations of Falstaff, Elgar's most accomplished and characteristic work, and several orchestral songs, with exemplary support from the BBC Philharmonic, all recorded in surround-sound.
Owing to its technical challenges and more complex harmonic language, the composer always had a high opinion of Falstaff, saying that he had enjoyed writing it 'more than any other music I have ever composed and perhaps for that reason it may prove to be among my best efforts'. His earlier music for Grania and Diarmid pays tribute to the Irish legend of Diarmuid and Grainne; the Funeral March is probably Elgar's noblest creation, and echoes the popular Pomp and Circumstance Marches.
The various less well-known songs, given heroic interpretations by the baritone Roderick Williams OBE, span the multiple facets of Elgar's style, from the stern and dramatic impressions of Op. 60 to the satirical and impish jollity of 'Kindly do not SMOKE'
Falstaff, Op.68 (1913)35:57
Symphonic Study
in C minor • in c-Moll • en ut minuer
for Full Orchestra
Dedicated to Sir Landon Ronald
1.IFalstaff and Prince Henry. Allegro - Con anima - Animato -3:09
2.IIEastcheap. Allegro molto - Molto grandioso e largamente -2:54
3.Gadshill. A Tempo I -9:21
4.Molto tranquillo - Molto piu lento -1:14
5.Dream Interlude. Poco allegretto -2:36
6.IIIFalstaff's march. Allegro - Con anima - Poco meno mosso -2:58
7.The return through Gloucestershire. [ ] - Poco sostenuto -1:27
8.Interlude. Gloucestershire, Shallow's orchard. Allegretto -1:34
9.The new king. Allegro molto - The hurried ride to London. [ ] -1:06
10.IVKing Henry V's Progress. Piu moderato - Giusto - Poco piu allegro - 3:29
11.The repudiation of Falstaff, and his death. [ ] - Poco piu lento -6:00
Songs, Op.59 (1909-10) *6:31
12.3Oh, soft was the song. Allegro molto1:52
13.5Was it some golden star? Allegretto - Meno mosso - Piu mosso - Meno mosso - Tempo I2:10
14.6Twilight. Allegro moderato - Meno mosso - Meno - Meno mosso - [Tempo I]2:22
Songs, Op.60 (1909-10) *6:37
for Voice and Piano
Orchestrated 1912 by the composer
15.1The Torch. Allegro ma non troppo - Lento - Andante2:37
16.2The River. Allegro - Meno mosso - Tempo I - Meno mosso -3:56
Two Movements from 'Grania and Diarmid', Op.42 (1901)10:10
To my Friend Henry J. Wood
17.[Incidental Music.] Moderato - Allegro - Piu lento - Andante - Larghetto -3:22
18.Funeral March. Maestoso6:48
19.The Wind at Dawn (1888) *3:48
for Voice and Piano
Orchestrated 1912 by the composer
Allegro - Poco piu lento - Grandioso, allargando
20.The Pipes of Pan (1899) *3:48
for Voice and Piano
Orchestrated 1900 by the composer
Allegro
21.Pleading, Op.48 (1908) *2:23
for Voice and Piano
Orchestrated 1908 by the composer
To Lady Maud Warrender
Andante - Lento - Andante - Lento molto espressivo
22.The King's Way (1909) *4:05
for Voice and Piano
Orchestrated 1909 by the composer
Moderato - Piu lento - Tempo I
23.Kindly do not SMOKE (1919) *0:49 |
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