Elgar from America, Vol. 3 Recorded live at: Carnegie Hall, New York, January 3, 1959 (Remastered) New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra & Sir John

• Sir Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934): Introduction & Allegro for String Quartet & String Orchestra, Op. 47
• 1 Elgar: Introduction & Allegro for String Quartet & String Orchestra, Op. 47 14:25
• Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30 (Excerpts):
• 2 Elgar: Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30 (Excerpts): No. 2, The Challenge of Thor 04:45
• 3 Elgar: Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30 (Excerpts): Epilogue. As Torrents in Summer 02:12
• The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1:
• 4 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1: No. 1, Prelude 10:47
• 5 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1: No. 2, I Am Near to Death 05:51
• 6 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1: No. 3, Rouse Thee, My Fainting Soul 04:05
• 7 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1: No. 4, Sanctus fortis, sanctus Deus 05:18
• 8 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1: No. 5, I Can No More 05:55
• 9 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 1: No. 5, Proficiscere, anima Christiana 06:27
• The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2:
• 10 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2: No. 6a, Introductiion 01:55
• 11 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2: No. 6b, I Went To Sleep 03:57
• 12 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2: No. 7, My Work Is Done 08:44
• 13 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2: No. 8, Low-Born Clods of Brute Earth 04:51
• 14 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2: No. 9, I See Not Those False Spirits 03:22
• 15 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2: Chorus of Angelicals: Praise to the Holiest 05:32
• 16 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2: The Angel: And now the threshold 08:20
• 17 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2: No. 11, Thy Judgment Now Is Near 07:22
• 18 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2: Semi-chorus: Be merciful 06:53
• 19 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38, Pt. 2: No. 13, Softly and Gently, Dearly-Ransomed Soul 07:03
• Total Runtime 01:57:44

Info for Elgar from America, Vol. 3 Recorded live at: Carnegie Hall, New York, January 3, 1959 (Remastered)

SOMM RECORDINGS adds to its acclaimed treasure trove of historic recordings with Volume III of Elgar from America, again masterminded by the extraordinary restoration talents of Lani Spahr.

Its centrepiece is a live 1959 Carnegie Hall recording of Elgar’s masterpiece, The Dream of Gerontius, with the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra conducted by one of the composer’s most eloquent and ardent champions, Sir John Barbirolli.

Elgar hailed Barbirolli as “a rising hope of music in England for whom I have admiration and in whose work I have confidence”. His trust in the conductor led to a long, mutually admiring relationship between two men who did so much to define English music.

The soloists include Richard Lewis (Gerontius), Maureen Forrester (The Angel) and Morley Meredith (The Priest and the Angel of the Agony).

Also recorded live in 1959 is the Introduction and Allegro for Strings, with Barbirolli and the NYP-SO joined by violinists John Corigliano and Leopold Rybb, William Lincer on viola, and cellist Laszlo Varga. Making their first appearance on disc are two choruses from Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf with J Spencer Cornwall directing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in 1953 and 1956.

Elgar from America, Volume I (ARIADNE 5005) was hailed by Classical Music Daily as “a fine start to this historic cycle” while MusicWeb International called it “a model of one of the things the CD should be doing that one cannot simply over-hear…Essential listening”.

Of Volume II (ARIADNE 5008), MusicWeb International said: “Elgar aficionados will want to hear this album”, adding: “Lani Spahr’s transfers and booklet notes are alike excellent”.

Lani Spahr’s previous restorations of historic Elgar recordings for SOMM Recordings include Elgar Rediscovered (SOMMCD 0167) and the four-disc set Elgar Remastered (SOMMCD 261-4) which featured recordings from the composer’s own collection and was hailed by Audiophilia as “a fascinating achievement which will have you wishing for more”.

New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra
Sir John Barbirolli, conductor
The Westminster Choir
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Richard Lewis, tenor (Gerontius, The Soul)
Maureen Forrester, contralto (The Angel)
Morley Meredith, baritone (The Priest and The Angel of the Agony)

Digitally remastered

No biography found.

This album contains no booklet.