Sir John Barbirolli - The Great EMI Recordings (10CD Box Set) (2010)

From the very start one can feel the almost transcendental rapport between the young soloist, barely turned twenty, and the aging maestro. One can dip into the recording at almost any point and feel the magic… There is an inevitability about the whole performance that is not easy to analyse or rather, as with most great works of art, analysis often tends to obscure instead of clarify wherein the greatness lies. Why is Mona Lisa such an undisputed masterpiece? Both the painting and this recording go directly to the heart… And that is exactly what Janet Baker’s singing of Sea Pictures also does… It is so magically performed here… Behind and above…Janet Baker looms Sir John’s spirit, loving and sensitive.
– Göran Forsling, MusicWeb International [reviewing the Elgar Sea Pictures, EMI 62887]

On any count this is one of the greatest, most warmly affecting accounts ever committed to disc, expansive, yet concentrated in feeling: the Adagietto is very moving indeed.
– The Penguin Guide [reviewing the Mahler Fifth, EMI 66962]

John Barbirolli's posthumous reputation if anything has grown in recent years with the release of numerous live recordings and reissues. It's easy to understand why: an emotionally generous, extremely "giving" conductor, his best performances have an irresistible spontaneity and warmth. That's the plus side. On the minus side, he could be very wayward when off his best form, and many of his recordings, even the ones most admired (such as his Mahler Fifth and Ninth), suffer from ensemble lapses that sometimes cross over the line between improvisatory enthusiasm and plain sloppiness. He was a great conductor nevertheless, make no mistake, and if I had to choose a single recording that represents him at his absolute best, it would have to be this one. It has everything: great playing, sumptuous sound (especially as remastered here), and interpretations that are positively elemental in their inevitability, cogency, thrust, and emotional abandon. The performances of the major works (Elgar's Introduction and Allegro, the Serenade, and Vaughan Williams' Tallis Fantasia) have never been surpassed and aren't likely to be anytime soon. This is truly one of the greatest recordings ever made, the ultimate "English music for string orchestra" disc. Buy it. Play it. Love it.
–David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com [reviewing Elgar and Vaughan Williams orchestral works, EMI 67264]

Janet Baker, André Navarra (cello), Renata Scotto (Madama Butterfly - Puccini - excerpts)
Hallé Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Wiener Philharmoniker, Philharmonia Orchestra, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Sinfonia of London, Orchestra del tearto dell'opera di Roma
John Barbirolli

Track List CD1 (74:31):
IRELAND John

1. London overture

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1936; England

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Ralph

2. Symphony no 2 "London": I. Lento - Allegro risoluto (molto pesante)
3. II. Lento
4. III. Scherzo (Nocturne): Allegro vivace
5. IV. Andante con moto - Maestoso - Allegro - Maestoso - Epilogue

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hallé Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1913/1920; England

BAX Arnold

6. The Garden of Fand

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hallé Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1913-1916; England

Track List CD2 (74:27):
DELIUS Frederick

1. A Village Romeo and Juliet: Walk to the Paradise Garden

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1900-1901; France

2. In a Summer Garden

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hallé Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1908; France

BUTTERWORTH George

3. A Shropshire Lad

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hallé Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1912; England

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Ralph

4. Symphony no 5 in D major: I. Preludio - Moderato - Allegro
5. II. Scherzo: Presto misterioso
6. III. Romanza: Lento
7. IV. Passacaglia: Moderato - Allegro

Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1938-1943; England

Track List CD3 (79:15):
SIBELIUS Jean

1. Finlandia, Op. 26

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hallé Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: Finland

2. Karelia Suite, Op. 11: I. Intermezzo
3. II. Ballade
4. III. Alla marcia

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hallé Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1893; Finland

5. Pohjola's daughter, Op. 49

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hallé Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1906; Finland

6. Kuolema: Valse triste, Op. 44 no 1

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hallé Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1903-1904; Finland

7. Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22: no 3, Swan of Tuonela

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hallé Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1893-1897; Finland

ELGAR Edward

8. Concerto for Cello in E minor, Op. 85: I. Adagio - Moderato
9. II. Lento - Allegro molto
10. III. Adagio
11. IV. Allegro, ma non troppo

Performer: André Navarra (Cello)
Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hallé Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1919; England

Track List CD4 (74:27):
MAHLER Gustav

1. Symphony no 5 in C sharp minor: I. Trauermarsch (in gemassenem Schritt - Streng - Wie ein Kondukt)
2. II. Sturmisch bewegt (Mit grosster Vehemenz)
3. III. Scherzo (Kraftig, nicht zu schnell)
4. IV. Adagietto (Sehr langsam)
5. V. Rondo - Finale (Allegro)

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: New Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1901-1902; Vienna, Austria

Track List CD5 (67:39):
DEBUSSY Claude

1. La mer: I. De l'aube à midi sur la mer
2. II. Jeux de vagues
3.III. Dialogue du vent et de la mer

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hallé Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1903-1905; France

RAVEL Maurice

4. Daphnis et Chloé Suite no 2: I. Lever du jour
5. II. Pantomime
6. III. Danse générale

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hallé Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1913; France

7. La Valse

8. Ma mère l'oye: Suite: I. Pavane de la bell au bois dormant
9. II. Petit Poucet
10. III. Laideronnette, Impératrice des Pagodes
11. IV. Les entetriens de la Belle at de la Bête
12. V. Le Jardin féerique

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hallé Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1908-1910; France

Track List CD6 (72:06):
TCHAIKOVSKY Peter Ilyich (Пётр Ильи́ч Чайко́вский)

1. Serenade for Strings in C, Op. 48 I. Pezzo in forma di sonatina
2. II. Walzer: Moderato (Tempo di valse)
3. III. Elegie: Larghetto elegiaco
4. IV. Finale (Tema Russo): Andante - Allegro

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1880; Russia

5. Symphony no 4 in F minor, Op. 36 I. Andante sostenuto - Moderato con anima
6. II. Andantino in modo di canzona
7. III. Scherzo
8. IV. Finale: Allegro con fuoco

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1877-1878; Russia

Track List CD7 (73:14):
ELGAR Edward

1. Introduction and Allegro for String Quartet and String Orchestra, Op. 47

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Sinfonia of London, Allegri String Quartett
Period: Romantic
Written: 1904-1905; England

2. Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20: I. Allegro piacevole
3. II. Larghetto
4. III. Allegretto

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Sinfonia of London
Period: Romantic
Written: 1892; England

5. Elegy for Strings, Op. 58 by Sir Edward Elgar

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: New Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1909; England

6. Sospiri, Op. 70

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: New Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1914; England

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Ralph

7. Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Sinfonia of London
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1910/1919; England

8. Fantasia on Greensleeves

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Sinfonia of London
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1934; England

BAX Arnold

9. Tintagel

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1917-1919; England

Track List CD8 (77:39):
ELGAR Edward

1. Sea Pictures, Op. 37: Sea Slumber Song
2. In Haven (Capri)
3. Sabbath Morning at Sea
4. Where Corals Lie
5. The Swimmer

Performer: Dame Janet Baker (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1897-1899; England

6. Symphony no 1 in A flat major, Op. 55 I Andante. Nobilmente e semplice — Allegro
7. II Allegro molto
8. III Adagio
9. IV Lento — Allegro

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1907-1908; England

Track List CD9 (79:04):
BRAHMS Johannes

1. Tragic Overture, Op. 81

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra: Tags say Philharmonia but New Philharmonia Orchestra according to MusicBrainz, need help here!
Period: Romantic
Written: 1880; Austria

2. Symphony no 3 in F major, Op. 90 I. Alegro con brio
3. II. Andante
4. III. Poco alegretto
5. IV. Allegro - Un poco sostenuto

Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra: Tags say Philharmonia, but Wiener Philharmoniker according to MusicBrainz, need help here!
Period: Romantic
Written: 1883; Austria

ELGAR Edward

6-20
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 "Enigma"
Conductor: Sir John Barbirolli
Orchestra: Probably Philharmonia Orchestra recording from 1963 as tags say.
Period: Romantic
Written: 1898-1899; England

Track List CD10 (75:35):
PUCCINI Giacomo

1-7

Madama Butterfly Act II arias with Renata Scotto

Renata Scotto, Orchestra e Coro del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, John Barbirolli

BERLIOZ Hector

8-13

Les nuits d'été, Op. 7

Performer: Dame Janet Baker with Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1840-1841; France

MAHLER Gustav

14-18

Rückert Lieder (5)

Performer: Dame Janet Baker with New Philharmonia Orchestra

Period: Romantic
Written: 1901-1902; Vienna, Austria












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