So I am pleased to present this 10-inch LP of Elgar's lighter music in a 1954 recording with the London Philhamonic, which Boult led at the time. It comes to us through the good graces of my friend Don (aka Sacqueboutier), who offered this on Symphonyshare and simultaneously suggested it to me for presentation here.
The recordings were made in February and October 1954 in Kingsway Hall, one of the most famous venues of its time, with Kenneth Wilkinson engineering - one of the most famous engineers. A first-class production, to be sure.
These recordings also were issued on a 12-inch LP, which I have in my own collection, but which has previously been issued by my friend Fred on his blog Random Classics. There they were coupled with Malcolm Arnold's English Dances (which are delightful) - so if you want Boult's version of those pieces, go see Fred.
I've quite grateful to Don, who is a veritable transfer machine, because I am having trouble producing any posts whatsoever, having been working around the clock. I hope to enjoy some leisure (and music) soon.
LINK
You're most welcome, Buster. Love this website. I've had it bookmarked for a very long time now.
ReplyDeleteHey Buster,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the plug! Ah, this is a good one in 10 inch as well as 12 inch. I hope people enjoy the Bavarian Dances as much as I do - they are so Dvorak sounding, aren't they? Incidentally, by coincidence I saw this 10 incher YESTERDAY under a pile of other STUFF at In Your Ear, here in Cambridge MA! Imagine that!
Fred
Buster: I'd rather stick pins in my flesh than have to chose between the Elgar of Boult and Barbarolli. Fortunately, we don't have to chose, my tender hide is saved, and I can have my Boult and Barbarolli too. Thanks for this post; I actually don't have these pieces on record.
ReplyDeleteOh! And thanks for the Mediafire link, where I get very fast downloads.
ReplyDeleteLarry - All thanks for this should go to Don - it's his transfer and his link. The only thing I did was to clean up the cover image above.
ReplyDeleteDon's a star, as are you, Buster. I have loved these recordings since I got them on Ace of Clubs when I was at school.
ReplyDeleteBuster,
ReplyDeleteWhat do you use to clean up your pics?
Don
Don - I use Photoshop. Once you figure out how to use it to clean up these images, it does a great job, although the process tests my patience.
ReplyDeleteGood grief Buster, you must have a huge following. Elgar downloads have quadrupled.
ReplyDeleteBuster: I worked int the photo industry for over 30 years -- doing old fashion, enlarger based, custom prints for the most part -- but did get to find my way around photohop. Do you use the magic wand tool to select and fill, or do you have another trick? In either case, you are much more ambitious than me when it comes to covers. Three cheers!
ReplyDeleteDon - I like to think that those of discerning taste find their way here.
ReplyDeleteLarry - It depends on what I am trying to do, but I often use the magic wand on large blocks of flat color, as on this image, then fill and touch up.