COMPOSERS: Elgar/Delius
LABELS: EMI
WORKS: Violin Concertos
PERFORMER: Yehudi Menuhin (violin); New Philharmonia Orchestra/Adrian Boult; RPO/Meredith Davies
CATALOGUE NO: CDM 7 64725 2 ADD (1966/77)
Menuhin’s 1966 return to the Elgar Concerto is, perhaps inevitably, not as memorable as the version he made in his teens under the composer’s direction. It’s not always secure in intonation, and his fluttery vibrato and slow portamenti sounded old-fashioned even a quarter of a century ago. Still, he gives a deeply-felt account of the solo part, with fine orchestral support. I wish I could say the same of the laboured Delius recording from 1976. Stephen Maddock
Elgar/Delius
Menuhin’s 1966 return to the Elgar Concerto is, perhaps inevitably, not as memorable as the version he made in his teens under the composer’s direction. It’s not always secure in intonation, and his fluttery vibrato and slow portamenti sounded old-fashioned even a quarter of a century ago. Still, he gives a deeply-felt account of the solo part, with fine orchestral support. I wish I could say the same of the laboured Delius recording from 1976. Stephen Maddock
Our rating
3
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:09 pm