Elgar: Enigma Variations / Pomp & Circumstance

Britain has produced a really large number of great conductors, but among the very top will always be Sir Adrian Boult. In a long career that took him from the City of Birmingham Orchestra to a long stint with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and finally the London Philharmonic, he mastered a broad repertoire that included the great classics of the past and works that were new in his day. He conducted the premiers of Holst's The Planets as well as Vaughan Williams' London Symphony (No. 2). He was particularly devoted to promoting British composers and their music, and did so throughout his career. He built the BBC Symphony into a top notch orchestra during his time there and successfully rebuilt the London Philharmonic after the War.Though he had made recordings throughout his career he did not do so all that frequently. Late in life he first signed with the independent Lyrita label in 1965 at age 76 and then with EMI (HMV in Britain). This time became known as his "Golden Autumn" during which he made a series of enthusiastically received and eventually famous recordings beginning with the Brahms symphonies and going on to include Schubert, Wagner, Beethoven and Mozart. He also included British composers and recorded all of Vaugan Williams' symphonies and other smaller works. He had always been a champion of Elgar, and after a famous performance of the Second Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra which revived interest in the work, Elgar sent him a personal letter of thanks.How lucky we are that Boult remained so vital that he was able to make these stunning recordings in the mid to late 1970's and early 80's so his legacy is preserved with great sound. These recordings have been beautifully remastered by EMI and there should be no hesitation to get them unless you really must have only digital recordings. It is no surprise that EMI began their British Composers Series with this recording of Elgar by Boult in the first batch.Elgar's Enigma Variations have been popular from the very beginning and are probably the most popular set of symphonic Variations, even more so that those of Brahms or Dvorak. It's easy to see why. The melancholy tune is immediately memorable and Elgar puts it through a brilliantly diverse set of incarnations from the light and delicate to the explosive. The stolid, serious and very English movement, Nimrod, has become popular on its own being used for ceremonial occasions and in film. The idea of composing each movement as a sketch of his friends was most unique and the booklet names them and quotes Elgar's notes about them. The actual Enigma has never been solved. The melody was said by the composer to be a counterpoint to a very famous melody, and though many candidates have been offered with lengthy explanations of how they fit the case, none has ever been accepted as satisfactory.The Pomp and Circumstance Marches, well, who doesn't know those. Name from a line in Shakespeare's Othello, they have become ceremonial standards. The First has become ubiquitous in America as the processional march at practically all graduations since its first performance in 1905 at Yale, where Elgar was receiving an Honorary Degree. I have a feeling that this march alone sells many copies of Elgar every June. I hope the buyers listen to whatever disc they bought beyond the March. of course now, they may short change themselves and download only the First March.So here you have one of the greatest British conductors of the Twentieth Century in his recording heyday, conducting Elgar, who wrote personally to him to approve of his understanding of his music. You have no reason to hesitate in getting this recording.

For many years, Sir Adrian Boult was the authoritative voice in the interpretation of English music of the early 20th century, Elgar in particular. His performance of the Enigma Variations is alternatively dramatic and contemplative. The London Philharmonic performs at a higher standard than their usual. However, the Decca recording at Kingsway Hall provides a very cold and rather flat acoustic. Oddly, the original vinyl issue seemed better to me on this matter.

If you like Enigma Variations and/or the Pomp & Circumstance Marches, this is the right CD for you. It's a good value, and the music is wonderful.

Such a wonderful collection of music! Beautiful quality, one of my very favorite composers. I listen to it over and over!

This is Elgar without any modern takes on the music, just straightforward, beautifully played Elgar much, as I imagine, he intended it to be played.

The Elgar pieces are wonderful, and Sir Adrian Boult was a great conductor, but the quality of the sound is less so. Although it has an EMI label, it was actually reissued by Warner, UK, and was recorded half a century ago.

Fantastic music, excellent recording, prompt shipping! I was very pleased with this purchase. It has become one of my top 10 favorite classical music CDs.

totally satisfied

It was a present for my brother who particularly wanted the Enigma Variations with Boult and the LSO.He is delighted with it. There is no better conductor of Elgar than the great Sir Adrian.

Music was great, but could not download onto my computer, was disappointed.

So give it a try, why not?

Good music

Bought this CD particularly for the Enigma variation Nimrod. All the variations are excellent but Nimrod is my favourite track.The Pomp & Circumstance tracks are also excellent. Really pleased with this purchase