Menuhin Elgar

Founded just after the war by Thomas Beecham as the instrument of his total artistic freedom, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has become one of the most prominent advocates of British music and gained the nickname of “Britain’s national orchestra”. This collection highlights the major romantic and modern composers of the country, including the lesser known but still fascinating Granville Bantock, Arthur Sullivan, Henry Wood and Arthur Bliss. Many top-class conductors have collaborated with the orchestra along its rich history, here represented by Thomas Beecham, André Previn, Charles Groves, Charles Mackerras, Malcolm Sargent and Andrew Litton. Soloists featured include Jacqueline du Pré, Christopher Parkening, Nigel Kennedy and John Ogdon.

22nd April 2016 would have been the 100th Birthday of violin legend Yehudi Menuhin, and Daniel Hope dedicates a complete album to his former mentor and close friend.

SOMM RECORDINGS is delighted to announce Elgar from America, Volume II: the first commercial release of three historic performances from 1940s’ New York featuring legendary Elgarian interpreters including violinist Yehudi Menuhin and conductors Malcolm Sargent and Arturo Toscanini at the helm of the NBC Symphony Orchestra.

"From my first contact with the ESO, it was clear this music was in their blood. My predecessor, Vernon Handley, was as fine an Elgarian s there’s ever been, and a protégé of Elgar’s preferred conductor, Adrian Boult.

This is an oddly cool performance of one of the most overtly sentimental–indeed, gushing–pieces in the violin repertoire. In an effort simply to present, rather than interpret, the music, Hahn seems to have gone overboard–she plays with little portamento and vibrato, she keeps away from the music's soul. All that having been said, the playing itself is faultless, her tone lovely, and by the last movement her virtuosity is truly impressive. The classic performance remains Menuhin's, but Hahn and Davis and his LSO have much to offer here. Vaughan Williams' gorgeous-if-sappy "The Lark Ascending" is played ravishingly, with more overt feeling than the Elgar, and again the LSO add greatly to the pleasure with the woodwind section–and clarinet in particular–shining brightly.

Can there be a more prodigiously gifted and versatile musician in the world today than Daniel Barenboim? Symphonic and opera conductor as well concert pianist, recitalist, chamber musician, Lieder accompanist par excellence, the Argentinian-born Israeli Renaissance man of music is also one of the most extensively recorded artists of all time. Sony Classical is proud to present the first complete retrospective collection of his albums for CBS/Sony Classical and RCA Red Seal.