Search - Elgar, Delius, Menuhin :: Menuhin Plays Elgar & Delius

Menuhin Tackles the British Concertos

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 02/07/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This title from EMI's "British Composers" series showcases the great violinist Yehudi Menuhin performing stereo accounts of the Elgar and Delius Violin Concertos. These British works were conducted respectively by Sir Adrian Boult leading the New Philharmonia Orchestra (1966), and Meredith Davies with the Royal Philharmonic (1976). The Elgar is old hat for Menuhin -- he cut his teeth on this Concerto as a 16-year old, with the composer himself conducting. Most recently reissued in EMI's "Great Recordings of the Century" series, it is a disc that should be in every serious collection, though its 1932 mono sound will not appeal to all as a definitive interpretation. Boult was also quite familiar with the Elgar as he recorded it three times, this performance being the second after an earlier one with Campoli and a later one with Haendel. My only problem is none of these four aforementioned titles is one I can recommend without reservation. Parts of all of them are brilliant, but other aspects disappoint. If I had to pick one that best captures the spirit of the music it would be Menuhin's first account and not the one featured on this title, but as previously mentioned there is the issue of sound quality. On the other hand, I own only one account of the Delius so I cannot make comparisons with this work. However, like most pieces by this composer, the Delius Violin Concerto is an acquired taste, full of beautiful moments but also many eccentric ones. Overall though, this is another delightful title from the "British Composers" series, and a worthwhile purchase."