One wonders why it took so long for a comprehensive survey of the songs of Edward Elgar to be released. This disc from the Dutch label Channel Classics represents the first such survey ever undertaken for the great English fin de siècle composer. Following a brilliant series of recordings of the complete songs of Schreker, Respighi, and Szymanowski, Channel begins its Elgar series with this 2008 disc featuring English soprano Amanda Roocroft and English baritone Konrad Jarnot accompanied by Dutch pianist Reinild Mees.The ...
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One wonders why it took so long for a comprehensive survey of the songs of Edward Elgar to be released. This disc from the Dutch label Channel Classics represents the first such survey ever undertaken for the great English fin de siècle composer. Following a brilliant series of recordings of the complete songs of Schreker, Respighi, and Szymanowski, Channel begins its Elgar series with this 2008 disc featuring English soprano Amanda Roocroft and English baritone Konrad Jarnot accompanied by Dutch pianist Reinild Mees.The program is divided by voice: first six songs by Roocroft, then five songs by Jarnot, then five more songs from Roocroft, and finally four songs by Jarnot. Except for Jarnot' first set, each group is constituted of songs from various periods and opuses of Elgar's career. In terms of programming, this proves highly effective. One never hears too many youthful works in a row, and one never hears too much of either voice. Most importantly, the performers are freer to shape the...
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