COMPOSERS: Elgar
LABELS: ASV Quicksilva
WORKS: Symphony No. 2; Serenade for Strings
PERFORMER: Hallé Orchestra/James Loughran; Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Neville Marriner
CATALOGUE NO: CD QS 6087 ADD/DDD (1979/83)
Loughran’s 1979 Hallé account of Elgar 2 has many fine things, not least a sensible speed for the slow movement (stately but not too slow). It’s a thoroughly musical performance, perhaps a little short on memorable incident – the unatmospheric recording is partly responsible, and the Scherzo is rather tame. But with the addition of a stylish (and beautifully recorded) Serenade from Marriner and the ASMF, still a very attractive bargain. Stephen Maddock
Elgar: Symphony No. 2; Serenade for Strings
Loughran’s 1979 Hallé account of Elgar 2 has many fine things, not least a sensible speed for the slow movement (stately but not too slow). It’s a thoroughly musical performance, perhaps a little short on memorable incident – the unatmospheric recording is partly responsible, and the Scherzo is rather tame. But with the addition of a stylish (and beautifully recorded) Serenade from Marriner and the ASMF, still a very attractive bargain. Stephen Maddock
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:36 pm