Doric String Quartet - Elgar: Symphony No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 55 & Introduction and Allegro, Op. 47 (2017) [Of Dnwld 24/96]

This new Elgar surround-sound recording brings together some of Chandos’ finest exclusive British artists for the first time.

The Doric String Quartet – highly praised for its series of Haydn and Schubert quartets – joins the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Edward Gardner in the Introduction and Allegro, one of Elgar’s masterpieces. Gardner here captures the subtle contrast between the solo quartet and the string ensemble, while also reconciling a wide variety of musical ideas and tempo fluctuations, not least the ever-popular ‘Welsh’ solo viola melody. The full Orchestra then appears in a passionate account of the majestic Symphony No. 1, a much-loved work ever since its premiere in 1906.

As well as highly praised Walton and Britten recordings, the enduring relationship between Edward Gardner and the BBC Symphony Orchestra has seen successful series of works by non-British composers such as Szymanowski and Lutosławski.

Edward Gardner is also involved in recording projects with many other orchestras, including the Bergen Philharmonic, the CBSO, and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, his latest new collaboration.

“… Edward Gardner leads a lyrical and bracing account [Introduction and Allegro], vying nostalgic reverie with intense drive, Is dotted and Ts crossed yet with plenty of bittersweet ardour and impulsive vitality. The First Symphony is just as impressive. Gardner directs a flowing if flexible account that is very listenable and is particularly revealing of detail, dynamics and sonority…” (Colin Anderson, ClassicalSource.com)

“… a finely nuanced recording of the Introduction and Allegro. In the symphony, Gardner’s feeling for pace and for colour really are top drawer, more measured than some performances but never losing sight of the overall shape of the work, never letting tension slip. Typically fine Chandos surround sound.” (Guy Weatherall, Classical Music)

Tracklist:
1. Doric String Quartet, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Edward Gardner – Introduction & Allegro, Op. 47: Introduction. Moderato - Allegretto - Moderato - Allegretto - Moderato - Tempo I (03:53)
2. Doric String Quartet, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Edward Gardner – Introduction & Allegro, Op. 47: Allegro (03:35)
3. Doric String Quartet, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Edward Gardner – Introduction & Allegro, Op. 47: Allegro (Tempo I) - Più animato - Come prima (06:43)
4. The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Edward Gardner – Symphony No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 55: I. Andante. Nobilmente e semplice - Allegro (19:30)
5. The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Edward Gardner – Symphony No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 55: II. Allegro molto (07:16)
6. The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Edward Gardner – Symphony No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 55: III. Adagio (12:16)
7. The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Edward Gardner – Symphony No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 55: IV. Lento - Allegro (11:59)


Thanks to the Original customer!