Classical Net

The Internet's Premier Classical Music Source

Related Links

Recommended Links

Give the Composers Timeline Poster



Site News

What's New for
Winter 2018/2019?

Site Search

Follow us on
Facebook    Twitter

Affiliates

In association with
Amazon
Amazon UKAmazon GermanyAmazon CanadaAmazon FranceAmazon Japan

ArkivMusic
CD Universe

JPC
ArkivMusic

Sheet Music Plus Featured Sale

CD Review

The 1956 Nixa-Westminster Stereo Recordings

Volume 1

  • William Walton: Symphony #1 in B Flat minor
  • Edward Elgar:
  • Falstaff - Symphonic Study in C minor, Op. 68
  • Symphony #2 in E Flat Major, Op. 63
  • Concert Overture "Cockaigne - In London Town", Op. 40
  • Benjamin Britten:
  • The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34 (2 versions)
  • Four Sea Interludes, Op. 33a
  • Passacaglia, Op. 33b
  • Soirées musicales (Rossini Suite #1), Op. 9
  • Matinées musicales (Rossini Suite #2), Op. 24
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Adrian Boult
First Hand Recordings FHR06 3CDs 230m ADD
Find it at AmazonFind it at Amazon UKFind it at Amazon GermanyFind it at Amazon CanadaFind it at Amazon FranceFind it at Amazon JapanOrder Now from ArkivMusic.comFind it at CD Universe Find it at JPC

This first volume of Boult's Nixa/Westminster treasure trove of recordings dating from 1956 shows the elegant English conductor in his prime conducting repertoire which was undoubtedly close to his heart. This third recording of Elgar's Second Symphony is to my mind the most satisfying of all set down by Boult with its superb sound and dashing finale which literally sweeps all before it.

The Walton symphony is something of a rarity although it was briefly available in the EMI Phoenixa range (First Hand Recordings should get hold of the Suppé overture recordings by Barbirolli and Boult as part of their next release perhaps). Boult finds much passion and afterglow in this fine work although one has to admit that Walton's own EMI version is slightly preferable but not much my much. The other Elgar recordings are also towering achievements especially Falstaff which again is probably the best Boult version available now – even trumping his legendary Decca mono recording (Testament).

The Britten "Four Sea Interludes" are vintage Boult as is the magical "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" here reproduced for the first time in stereo alongside the original mono version. I also found much sprightly enjoyment in the "Matinee Musicales" and the "Soireé Musicales" with Britten's deft arrangements of the original Rossini pieces coming across quite à la Ansermet (another superb recommendation on Decca/Eloquence).

FHR produce an admirably informative booklet together with rare period photographs featuring the production team of these legendary sessions headed by the indefatigable Kurt List. A true treasure trove of recordings which are a fine memorial to the unheralded greatness of Sir Adrian and the vintage mid-1950's London Philharmonic.

Copyright © 2011, Gerald Fenech

Trumpet

© 1995-2024 Classical Net
Use of text, images, or any other copyrightable material contained in these pages, without the written permission of the copyright holder,
except as specified in the Copyright Notice, is strictly prohibited. All Rights Reserved.