John Barbirolli - Elgar: Enigma Variations, Pomp and Circumstance Marches (192, 1966) [2018 SACD Definition Serie]

The representative masterpieces of these songs are finally reprinted with high sound quality! This is the supreme performance of the former EMI label left by Barbirolli, who had Elgar at the core of his repertoire. This is the last of several recordings other than "Pomp and Circumstance", and it is a masterpiece that allows you to listen to the truth of Elgar's music even more deeply. The original albums of "Enigma" and "Cockane", plus Barbirolli's only recording, "Pomp and Circumstance" Nos. 1-5. In terms of sound quality, you can fully enjoy the resolution and dynamic range that is higher than before. For this reprint, we used a master digitized at 96kHz/24bit from the original master in our country, and newly mastered the SACD layer and CD layer separately. It is a permanent preservation board.
Barbirolli had played with Elgar and was very close to him, so he continued to perform and introduce Elgar throughout his life. Five days before his death, he played Symphony No. 1 (with sound source), and recorded "Enigma" three times in total, showing that he had a special feeling. This 1962 edition, which was the third recording, was Barbirolli's second EMI comeback album, which at that time was mainly recording for the Halle Orchestra and the British PYE label, and was managed by W. Legg at the time. It was recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra. In addition, EMI at that time had many excellent recordings, and even if I listen to it now, there are many that can be reproduced with a very good presence. After "Enigma", the 1st and 4th songs of "Cocaine" and "Pomp and Circumstance" were recorded in the same August, and the remaining 3 songs of "Pomp and Circumstance" were recorded separately by the Bishop & Parker duo 4 years later. Therefore, only these three songs have different sound tendencies (the orchestra is also New Philharmonia), but I think that the difference can be clearly discerned in this new reprint. This sound left by Barbirolli, which comes from the depth of empathy and feeling, is counted among the best Elgar performances even today. "Enigma" has had many fans since its LP days, and there weren't many opportunities for it to be remastered after the release of the CD, but now you can finally enjoy this masterpiece with the highest sound quality.

*As it is a machine translation, the result may not provide an accurate description.
Please use it only as a reference.



Tracks:

Edward Elgar:
1. Enigma Variations, Op. 36

2. "Cockayne - Overture for concert" Op. 40
March "Dignity" Op. 39
3.No.1
4.No.2
5.No.3
6.No.4
7.No.5

Personnel:

Philharmonia Orchestra(1-3,6),
New Philharmonia Orchestra(4,5,7)
Sir John Barbirolli(Conductor)

Recording
May 9 & August 27, 1962(1), August 27(2), August 29(3,6), July 14, 1966(4,5,7) Kingsway Hall, London