[milhous]

just listened to elgar's enigma variations and i must say that variation ix entitled 'nimrod' is by far the best. quite an uplifting piece that i just can't stop playing. pomp & circumstance is also quite excellent.

[Dr. Wahnsinn]

I quite like his Cello Concerto, Op. 85 with Jacqueline du Pré on cello. There are some moments in there that, even on their own, justify the composition.

Of course I love the artistry of du Pré and she brought me to the composer. It's a sad loss that M.S. killed her before she was able to give all she had.

[fhoubi]

You mean this?

LSC-2418 on vinyl!, as the whole RCA/Classic records re-issues, one of the ones I like most.

[Briareus]

There's still a lot of discussion and theories about the Enigma Variations. It's vastly more than just a piece of music and one can spend a lot of time learning about it - there's a fascinating story behind every note. Start with Google.

Du Pre's Elgar Cello Concerto - off the top of my head, the only classical soloist that has her name linked to a specific piece of music. Kind of like Enrico Caruso's Pagliacci.

If you're not familiar with Du Pre's life story, I cautiously recommend the film Hilary & Jackie. Bring tissues - it's probably the saddest story in the music world, especially if you're a cellist.

Elgar's still a bit underplayed and underappreciated in the US, for whatever reason. I personally have only had 5 or 6 of his works show up on my stand. Some of it is genius, some of it doesn't thrill me.

If you like the Enigmas and the Cello Concerto, I'd recommend the Introduction and Allegro for String Quartet & String Orchestra.

[icruise]

Yeah, I'm a big fan of Elzar!

[m a d r a]

surprisingly enough [as a committed hardcore punk] aficcionado] i want to put a vote in for elgar too.

[especially when played really f**kin loud!]

[Oneota]

Originally posted by milhous:
just listened to elgar's enigma variations and i must say that variation ix entitled 'nimrod' is by far the best. quite an uplifting piece that i just can't stop playing. pomp & circumstance is also quite excellent.

How odd that you should mention the Enigma Variations! The Community Orchestra I'm in is performing that piece at our next concert (Oct. 31, for anyone in the Des Moines area)!

http://www.desmoinescommunityorchestra.org/

[villalobos]

Originally posted by Dr. Wahnsinn:
I quite like his Cello Concerto, Op. 85 with Jacqueline du Pré on cello. There are some moments in there that, even on their own, justify the composition.

Of course I love the artistry of du Pré and she brought me to the composer. It's a sad loss that M.S. killed her before she was able to give all she had.

[milhous]

how strange everything is related--on my cd, daniel barenboim conducts the london philharmonic which i later find out on wiki that he was married to jacqueline du pre, whom he later cheated on and also gave her cello to yo-yo ma before her death.

i'll definitely look into her more, perhaps another acquisition is in order.

i've said it once and i'll say it again, nimrod!

[UNTeMac]

As funny as the name "Nimrod" sounds...if I remember right, it's the name of a mythological hero that Elgar was writing about. Also, each movement has the initials of a friend in his life. One movement was written for a dog!

[Dr. Wahnsinn]

Originally posted by milhous:
...on my cd, daniel barenboim conducts the london philharmonic which i later find out on wiki that he was married to jacqueline du pre, whom he later cheated on and also gave her cello to yo-yo ma before her death.

Where did you read this? The instrument in question is the cello known as the 'Davidoff' Stradivari built in 1712. In the introduction of the book "Antonio Stradivari, The Cremona Exhibition of 1987" by Charles Beare, Yo-Yo Ma states that he was first loaned the instrument and later offered the opportunity to purchase it. He couldn't afford it but it was purchased for him by some wealthy friends with the help of an instrument dealer in Paris.

[Briareus]

Rather comprehensive Liner Notes from a Hyperion recording of the work.

[spiky_dog]

i enjoy elgar, but have played the enigma variations too many times. i think they are a bit overplayed, and the rest of his works are underappreciated. i'm not so much a fan of the middle movements of the cello cto in E, but overall i like the work. saw it just a few weeks ago with the seattle symphony/forgot the soloist.

[milhous]

Originally posted by Dr. Wahnsinn:
Where did you read this? The instrument in question is the cello known as the 'Davidoff' Stradivari built in 1712. In the introduction of the book "Antonio Stradivari, The Cremona Exhibition of 1987" by Charles Beare, Yo-Yo Ma states that he was first loaned the instrument and later offered the opportunity to purchase it. He couldn't afford it but it was purchased for him by some wealthy friends with the help of an instrument dealer in Paris.

i am referencing this profile from wikipedia, which may very well be inaccurate and if so, would be more than open to look at other sources.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Du_Pre

here's the exceprt in question:

Her friendship with musicians Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, Pinchas Zukerman and Daniel Barenboim led to the famous film by Christopher Nupen of their Schubert "Trout" Quintet. She left her 1712 Davidoff Stradivarius to Yo-Yo Ma.