Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Edward Elgar's musical genius with this captivating album, released on January 6, 1993, under the Nar Classical label. Spanning a generous 2 hours and 25 minutes, this collection is a treasure trove for classical music enthusiasts, featuring a blend of orchestral masterpieces that showcase Elgar's profound compositional skills.
The album opens with Elgar's monumental choral work, "The Dream of Gerontius," a profound and deeply spiritual piece that explores themes of life, death, and the afterlife. This is followed by the renowned "Variations on an Original Theme," popularly known as the Enigma Variations. Composed between October 1898 and February 1899, these variations are a series of musical portraits of Elgar's close friends, each variation offering a unique glimpse into their personalities. The album concludes with Mozart's Symphony No. 34 in C Major, K. 338, a delightful addition that complements Elgar's works with its classical elegance and charm.
Edward Elgar, a prominent figure in the late Romantic era, is celebrated for his orchestral works, including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, and his concertos for violin and cello. This album is a testament to his enduring legacy, offering a diverse range of compositions that highlight his versatility and mastery of orchestration. Whether you're a seasoned classical music aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises a rewarding listening experience, filled with emotional depth, technical brilliance, and timeless beauty.
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. I: "Prelude"Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. I: "Jesu, Maria - I am near to death" (Gerontius)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Jon Vickers
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. I: "Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison" (Assistants)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Coro di Roma della Rai
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. I: "Rousee thee, my fainting soul" (Gerontius, Assistants)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Jon Vickers, Coro di Roma della Rai
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. I: "Sanctus fortis, Sanctus Deus" (Gerontius)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Jon Vickers
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. I: "I can no more; for now it comes again" (Gerontius, Assistants)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Jon Vickers, Coro di Roma della Rai
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. I: "Profiscicere, anima Christiana" (The Priest, Assistants)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Marian Nowkowski, Coro di Roma della Rai
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. II: "I went to sleep; and now I am refreshed" (Soul of Gerontius)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Jon Vickers
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. II: "My work is done, my task is o'er" (Angel)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Costance Shacklock
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. II: "It is a member of that family" (Soul, Angel)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Jon Vickers, Costance Shacklock
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. II: "But hank! upon my sense" (Soul, Angel, Demons)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Jon Vickers, Costance Shacklock, Coro di Roma della Rai
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. II: "I see not those false spirits" (Soul, Angel)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Jon Vickers, Costance Shacklock
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. II: "Praise to the Holiest in the height" (Choir of Angelicals, Angel, Soul)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Coro di Roma della Rai, Costance Shacklock, Jon Vickers
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. II: "And now the threshold, as we traverse it" (Angel)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Costance Shacklock
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. II: "Thy judgement now is near" (Angel, Soul)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Costance Shacklock, Jon Vickers
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. II: "Jesu! By that shuddering dread which fell" (Angel of the Agony)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Marian Nowkowski
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. II: "I go before my Judge" (Soul, Assistants on Earth, Angel)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Jon Vickers, Coro di Roma della Rai, Costance Shacklock
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. II: "Take me away, and in the lowest deep" (Soul, Souls in Purgatory)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Jon Vickers, Coro di Roma della Rai
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, IEE 21, Pt. II: "Softly and gently, dearly-ransomed soul" (Angel, Souls, Choir of Anglicals)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Sir John Barbirolli, Costance Shacklock, Coro di Roma della Rai
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: I. Theme (Andante)Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: II. Variation I. L'istesso tempo "C.A.E."Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: III. Variation II. Allegro "H.D.S-P."Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: IV. Variation III. Allegretto "R. B.T."Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: V. Variation IV. Allegro di molto "W.M. B."Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: VI. Variation V. Moderato "R. P.A."Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: VII. Variation VI. Andantino "Ysobel"Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: VIII. Variation VII. Presto "Troyte"Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: IX. Variation VIII. Allegretto "W.N."Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: X. Variation IX. Adagio "Nimrod"Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: XI. Variation X. Intermezzo: Allegretto "Dorabella"Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: XII. Variation XI. Allegro di molto "G.R. S."Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: XIII. Variation XII. Andante "B.G.N."Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: XIV. Variation XIII. Romanza: Moderato "* * *"Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, IEE 91: XV. Variation XIV. Finale: Allegro Presto "E.D.U."Edward Elgar, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Symphony No. 34 in C Major, K. 338, IWM 568: I. Allegro vivaceWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Symphony No. 34 in C Major, K. 338, IWM 568: II. Andante di molto (più tosto Allegretto)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli
Symphony No. 34 in C Major, K. 338, IWM 568: III. Finale: Allegro vivaceWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai, Sir John Barbirolli