The Elgar Edition: Complete Electrical Recordings of SIR EDWARD ELGAR (9 discs) For Sale

The advent of electrical recording enabled Britain's greatest living composer, Sir Edward Elgar, to crown his career with an Indian summer in the studios. Between 1926 and 1933 Elgar recorded virtually all his major orchestral works, as well as choral excerpts and lighter pieces, in accounts as vital as they are authoritative. Ranging from the Violin Concerto with the young Yehudi Menuhin to an intriguing set of piano improvisations, the nine CDs of EMI's Gramophone award-winning Edition are collected here for the first time.
Edward Elgar was the first composer to make extensive recordings of his own compositions. HMV (His Master's Voice) recorded much of his music acoustically from 1914 onwards and then began a series of electrical recordings in 1926 that continued until 1933, including his "Enigma Variations," "Falstaff," the first and second symphonies, his cello and violin concertos, all of the "Pomp and Circumstance" marches, and other orchestral works. Part of a 1927 rehearsal of the second symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra was also recorded and later issued.
Disc ONE:Symphony No. 1 in A flat major, Op. 55 46:41 I. Andante: nobilmente e semplice – Allegro 17:25 II. Allegro molto 07:37 III. Adagio 10:18 IV. Lento – Allegro 11:21 London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 20-22 November 1930: Kingsway Hall, London
Falstaff - Symphonic Study in C minor, Op. 68 32:47 I. Falstaff and Prince Henry 02:57 II. Eastcheap... [fig. 17] 12:47 Dream Interlude: 'Jack Falstaff...' [fig. 76] 02:27 III. Falstaff's march... [fig. 81] 03:55 Interlude: Gloucestershire. Shallow's orchard - The new king - The hurried ride... [fig. 102] 02:26 IV. King Henry V's progress... [fig. 114] 08:15London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 11-12 November 1931 & 4 February 1932: No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Disc TWO:Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 63 47:56 I. Allegro vivace e nobilmente 14:36 II. Larghetto 12:57 III. Rondo (Presto) 7:50 IV. Moderato e maestoso 12:33First Take: III. Rondo (Presto) (to cue 116) 04:20Rehearsal for second take of III. Rondo (Presto) from Symphony No. 2 05:02London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 1 April & (CR 1275 take 2) 15 July 1927: Queen's Hall (relayed to Studio D, Small Queen's Hall), London
Disc THREEThe Dream of Gerontius Op. 38, PART 1 – excerpts 20:50 Prelude 10:38 Kyrie eleison (cue 29) 02:23 Rescue him, O Lord (cue 63) 03:23 Go in the name of Angels and Archangels (cue 72) 04:26The Dream of Gerontius Op. 38, PART 2 – excerpts 24:11 Praise to the Holiest (cue 60) 04:48 And now the threshold (four before cue 73) 06:54 Jesu! by that shuddering dread (cue 106) 04:22 Take me away (three before cue 125) 08:07Steuart Wilson tenor • Margaret Balfour mezzo-soprano Herbert Heyner bassRoyal Choral Society, Royal Albert Hall OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductigRecorded: 26 February 1927: live in the Royal Albert Hall, London
Civic Fanfare & The National Anthem (arr. Elgar) 02:35UnknownSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 4 September 1927, live in Hereford Cathedral
The Dream of Gerontius Op. 38 (1992 Digital Remaster), PART 1 – excerpts 08:02 So pray for me (cue 28) 03:48 O Jesu, help! (cue 61) 04:14The Dream of Gerontius Op. 38 (1992 Digital Remaster), PART 2 – excerpts 08:58 Jesu! by that shuddering dread (cue 106) 04:41 Take me away (three before cue 125) 04:17Tudor Davies tenor • Horace Stevens bassMargaret Balfour mezzo-sopranoThree Choirs Festival ChorusLondon Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 6 September 1927, live in Hereford Cathedral
The Music Makers, Op. 69 Verse 1: We are the music makers 02:16 Verse 2: With wonderful deathless ditties 01:35 Verse 4: A breath of our inspiration 03:41 Verse 8: For we afar with the dawning 02:13London Symphony Orchestra, Three Choirs Festival ChorusSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 8 September 1927, live in Hereford Cathedral
Disc FOUR:Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36 27:15 Theme (Andante) 01:43 I. C.A.E. (the composer's wife) (L'istesso tempo) 01:54 II. H.D.S.-P. ( Hew David Steuart-Powell) (Allegro) 00:43 III. R.B.T. (Richard Baxter Townshend) (Allegretto) 01:26 IV. W.M.B. (William Meath Baker) (Allegro di molto) 00:30 V. R.P.A. (Richard Penrose Arnold) (Presto) 01:53 VI. Ysobel (Isabel Fitton) (Andantino) 01:21 VII. Troyte (Troyte Griffith) (Presto) 00:53 VIII. W.N. (Winifred Norbury) (Allegretto) 01:39 IX. Nimrod (A. J. Jaeger) (Moderato) 02:52 X. Intermezzo: Dorabella (Dora Penny) (Allegretto) 02:31 XI. G.R.S. (George Robertson Sinclair) (Allegro di molto) 00:50 XII. B.G.N. (Basil G. Nevinson) (Andante) 02:16 XIII. Romanza: * * * [Lady Mary Lygon] (Moderato) 02:03 XIV. Finale: E.D.U. (the composer) (Allegro) 04:41Royal Albert Hall OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 28 April & 30 August 1926, Queen's Hall, London
Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61 49:47 I. Allegro 17:25 II. Andante 13:00 III. Allegro molto 10:13 Cadenza (accompagnata: Lento) - Allegro molto 09:09Yehudi Menuhin violinLondon Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 14 & 15 July 1932, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Disc FIVE:Elgar: The Wand of Youth Suite No. 1, Op. 1a 19:32 I. Overture (Allegro molto) 01:34 II. Serenade (Andantino) 02:26 III. Minuet (Old Style) (Andante) 02:01 IV. Sun Dance (Presto) 02:21 V. Fairy Pipers (Allegretto) 04:08 VI. Slumber Scene (Moderato) 03:55 VII. Fairies and Giants (Presto) 03:07London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 19 December 1928, Kingsway Hall, London
The Wand of Youth Suite No. 2, Op. 1b 16:29 I. March (Alla marcia: allegro moderato) 03:54 II. The Little Bells (Scherzino) (Allegro molto) 02:30 III. Moths and Butterflies (Dance) (Allegretto) 02:23 IV. Fountain Dance (Allegretto comodo) 03:15 V. The Tame Bear (Allegro moderato) 02:06 VI. The Wild Bears (Presto) 02:21London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 20 December 1928, Kingsway Hall, London
Nursery Suite 18:16 I. Aubade (Awake) (Allegretto) 04:12 II. The Serious Doll (Andantino) 02:43 III. Busy-ness (Allegro molto) 02:03 IV. The Sad Doll (Andantino) 01:23 V. The Wagon (Passes) (Allegretto) 01:24 VI. The Merry Doll (Allegro molto) 01:26 VII. Dreaming (Lento) 02:03 Envoy (Coda) (W. H. Reed, violin) 03:02W. H. Reed violin • Gordon Walker fluteLondon Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 23 May & (VII) 4 June 1931, Kingsway Hall, London
Severn Suite, Op. 87 17:57 I. Worcester Castle (Introduction) 02:48 II. Tournament (Toccata) 03:54 III. Cathedral (Fugue) 03:55 IV. Commandery (Minuet) 05:25 V. Coda 01:55London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 14 April 1932, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Disc SIX:Land of Hope and Glory 04:40Margaret Balfour mezzo-sopranoIt comes from the misty ages 04:40National Anthem (arr. Elgar) 03:16Croft: O God, our Help in Ages past (St Anne) 04:22Philharmonic Choir of LondonLondon Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 3 February 1928: Queen's Hall, London
The Light of Life, 'Lux Christi' Op. 29 (1992 Digital Remaster):Meditation 04:43Royal Albert Hall OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 30 August 1926: Queen's Hall
Three Characteristic Pieces Mazurka, Op. 10 No. 1 03:22 Sérénade mauresque, Op. 10 No. 2 05:15New Symphony Orchestra of LondonSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 8 November 1929, Small Queen's Hall, London Contrasts: The Gavotte AD 1700 and 1900 Op. 10 No. 3 03:31London Philharmonic OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 21 February 1933, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Chanson de Nuit, Op. 15 No. 1 04:28Royal Albert Hall OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 27 April 1926, Queen's Hall, LondonChanson de Matin, Op. 15 No. 2 03:05London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 1 April 1927, Queen's Hall, London
Three Bavarian Dances Op. 27 (1992 Digital Remaster) 12:19 I. The Dance (Sonnenbichl) (Allegretto giocoso) 03:44 II. Lullaby (In Hammersbach) (Moderato) 03:43 III. The Marksman (Bei Murnau) (Allegro vivace) 04:52London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 15 July 1927, Queen's Hall (relayed to Studio D, Small Queen's Hall), London
Crown of India - Suite Op. 66 (1992 Digital Remaster) 12:42 Ia. Introduction 01:31 Ib. Dance of Nautch Girls 03:04 II. Menuetto 02:12 III. Warriors' Dance 01:59 V. March of the Mogul Emperors 03:56London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 15 September & 22 November 1930, Kingsway Hall, London
Bach, J S: Fantasia and Fugue in C minor BWV537 (Orch. Elgar) 07:39 I. Fantasia 04:37 II. Fugue 03:02Royal Albert Hall OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 28 April 1926: Queen's Hall, London
Disc SEVEN:Froissart Overture, Op. 19 12:43London Philharmonic OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 21 February 1933: No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Cockaigne Overture, Op. 40 'In London Town' 13:07Royal Albert Hall OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 27 April 1926: Queen's Hall, London
In the South (Alassio), Op. 50 20:16Vivace - Poco meno mosso 06:49Grandioso [fig. 20] 03:37Meno mosso, molto tranquillo (Canto popolare) [fig. 34] 03:25Tempo I [fig. 40] - Poco meno mosso - Tempo I 06:25London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 15 (DB 1665) & 18 (DB 1666-67) September 1930, Kingsway Hall, London
Falstaff Op. 68 - Two Interludes (1993 Digital Remaster) 04:09 Interlude I: 'Jack Falstaff, now Sir John...' (Poco allegretto) 02:10 Interlude II: Gloucestershire. Shallow's Orchard (Allegretto) 01:59New Symphony Orchestra of LondonSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 8 November 1929: Small Queen's Hall, London
Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 24:55 I. Adagio – Moderato 07:10 II. Lento - Allegro molto 04:25 III. Adagio 04:01 IV. Allegro - Moderato - Allegro, ma non troppo 09:19Beatrice Harrison celloNew Symphony Orchestra of LondonSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 23 March & 13 June 1928: Kingsway Hall, London
Disc EIGHT:Minuet from Beau Brummel (1929) 04:48Rosemary 03:36New Symphony Orchestra of LondonSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 7 November 1929, Small Queen's Hall, London
Salut d'amour, Op. 12 03:20Minuet, Op. 21 04:17New Symphony Orchestra of LondonSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 8 November 1929, Small Queen's Hall, London
Sérénade lyrique 04:18May Song 03:50Carissima 03:18New Symphony Orchestra of LondonSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 7 November 1929: Small Queen's Hall, London
Minuet from Beau Brummel (1928) 03:41London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conducting20 December 1928: Kingsway Hall, London
Elgar: Five Piano Improvisations 20:34 No. 1 03:33 No. 2 04:16 No. 3 03:51 No. 4 04:36 No. 5 04:18Sir Edward Elgar pianoRecorded: 6 November 1929, Small Queen's Hall, London
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major, Op. 39 No. 1 04:24Pomp and Circumstance March No. 2 in A minor, Op. 39 No. 2 04:02Royal Albert Hall OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 27 April 1926: Queen's Hall, London
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 3 in C minor, Op. 39 No. 3 04:36Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4 in G major, Op. 39 No. 4 04:34London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 15 July 1927: Queen's Hall, London
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 5 in C major, Op. 39 No. 5 04:14London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 18 September 1930, Kingsway Hall, London
Land of Hope and Glory (1931) (introduced by Elgar) 02:41London Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 12 November 1931, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Disc NINE:The Kingdom, Op. 51 – Prelude 08:44BBC Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 11 April 1933 / No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, LondonPomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major, Op. 39 No. 1 04:23Berkeley Mason organPomp and Circumstance March No. 2 in A minor, Op. 39 No. 2 04:19BBC Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 7 October 1932, Kingsway Hall, LondonPomp and Circumstance March No. 2 in A minor, Op. 39 No. 2Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4 in G major, Op. 39 No. 4 04:31BBC Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 11 April 1933, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Cockaigne Overture, Op. 40 'In London Town' 13:41BBC Symphony OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 11 April 1933, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20 12:10 I. Allegro piacevole 03:28 II. Larghetto 06:07 III. Allegretto - Come prima 02:35London Philharmonic OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 29 August 1933, Kingsway Hall, London
Elegy for strings, Op. 58 04:25London Philharmonic OrchestraSir Edward Elgar conductingRecorded: 29 August 1933, Kingsway Hall, London
APPENDIXCaractacus, Op. 35 (excerpts) 08:58Woodland Interlude 02:00Triumphal March 06:58London Symphony OrchestraLawrence Collingwood conductingRecorded: 22 January 1934, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Mina 02:48New Light Symphony OrchestraJ. Ainslie Murray conductingRecorded: 8 February 1934, No.2 Studio, Abbey Road
Mina 02:07Light Symphony OrchestraHaydn Wood conductingRecorded: 7 January 1935: No.1 Studio, Abbey Road
Coronation March, Op. 65 07:52London Philharmonic OrchestraSir Landon Ronald conductingRecorded: 7 March 1935: Kingsway Hall, London