Search - Edward Elgar, Edward Downes, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra :: Elgar: Symphony No. 2, Op. 63

Rarely, rarely comest thou, Spirit of Delight

Mark Shanks | Portland, OR | 07/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Downes's recording of the Elgar Second is simply the most astonishing revelation I've heard in 30 years of listening. I don't know how Boult or Solti could have missed what Downes brings out so clearly in this marvelous performance - this is a work composed in the days of Mahler, and I've never heard a performance that brings that fact home so clearly as this. The Larghetteo is, of course, the emotional heart of this symphony - listen to the passage with the unconsolable cor anglais beginning at 7:55 and you can only hold your breath. But then, those singing strings in the great climax beginning at about 12:15 - if you can't hear the Mahler of the 6th in there, you aren't listening. The dark closing bars of this movement are done in the truest pianimisso style - simply fabulous, like watching a sunset though storm clouds. The Rondo usually gets short-changed, but Downes shows just what he can do with an orchestra - try the great climax at 5:05 to hear what separates the great from the "competent" in conducting. The opening of the final movement is filled with a quiet, calm joy, "Spirit of Delight" indeed: confident, not "triumphant" or even worse, self-congratulatory (as I've heard other conductors play this). Ah, but the wistful episode, starting about 6:20 - here is genius at work, both from Elgar and from Downes. All topped by a restrained, refined, elegant finale. Wonderful.The BBC Philharmonic distinguishes itself - I haven't heard better from Berlin, and for me, that's saying something. The recording, too - just everything about this release is top-drawer. At the Naxos price, and with the Amazon discount, I can think of NO reason why ANYone even remotely interested in orchestral music or Elgar, or just curious about classical music wouldn't want this. I don't care if you have a dozen recordings of the Elgar 2nd - if you don't have THIS one, you are missing a LOT."

Elgar 2nd/BBC Phil/Downes

KH | Chicago, IL | 02/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another outstanding bargain from Naxos. This performance would be competitive at any price; at the Naxos price it cannot be beat.The BBC Phil is a first-class ensemble and Downes a highly experienced conductor in this repertoire. The resultis one of the best Elgar 2nds available. Downes's tempi are slow and unhurried, but never plodding; instead, he creates an epic breadth to the music and digs deep into its emotions (especially the slow movement). Sound is excellent, if not quite demonstration quality. There is no better Elgar 2nd available, and few equal."

An excellent version

G.D. | Norway | 01/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Naxos version of the first symphony under George Hurst was a very worthwhile affair and the sequel - this time with Sir Edward Downes - is even better. In fact, I've rarely heard the first movement better played or more convincingly realized. It is, perhaps, a little restrained (so are the other movements), but the restraint actually serves to underline the cumulative impact of the movement and the climactic nature of the coda. The Larghetto is warm and thoughtfully conceived (certainly this is a radically different approach than Hurst's in the first symphony), where every detail sounds like it has been the subject of deep thought and plays a convincing role in the overall structure. If I have one objection, it would be to the epilogue, which might sound just a little too four-square and lack some of the subtle variations of color it really needs. But overall this is a very satisfying interpretation and the BBC Philharmonic plays uniformly excellent - indeed, they truly sound like a world-class orchestra here. The recording is clear and detailed as well. If forced, I would in the end plump for Solti (mostly for that epilogue), but I would really not have wanted to miss this version."