Déjà Review: this review was first published in June 2005 and the recording is still available.
Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Enigma Variations, Op. 36
BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Andrew Davis
A Hidden Portrait – Documentary hosted by the conductor.
Recorded and filmed 2004, Worcester Cathedral, UK
Opus Arte OA0917D DVD [86]
Sir Andrew Davis and the BBC Symphony Orchestra have taken a beloved masterpiece and turned it into a most enjoyable visual spectacle in this fascinating and informative documentary and performance.
In the documentary, Sir Andrew travels to Elgar’s home and unravels the mystery of the numerous dedicatees, known only by their initials or some code name, that are portrayed in the work that was to propel the composer to international fame, and cement his place in world musical life.
I shan’t give away all the fun, secrets and twists and turns here, but it will suffice to say that Maestro Davis has done his homework, and has, with the help of fine writers, assembled a film that is worth repeated viewing. He carefully outlines all of the wonderful and interesting characters from Elgar’s life, and shows how those personalities are artfully portrayed within the music.
As for the performance itself, there are few save some of the great classic readings such as Boult’s and Barbirolli’s that can compete with Davis’s expressive but controlled reading. The BBC Symphony seems doubly inspired by the exquisite surroundings of the Worcester Cathedral. The filmmakers have added a splendid extra touch of projecting the portraits of the various persons portrayed in the music onto the walls and columns of the church as their music is performed. This touch makes for a lovely nostalgic feeling and a certain ability to relate to the music even more. One must make sure and watch the documentary first though to completely understand and appreciate the pictorial references.
Presented in both stereo or surround sound, this disc is a sonic wonder, and the ambience of the cathedral is captured quite well. One might fear that there would be too much decay in such a big and rolling space, but the BBC engineers keep the echo under wraps and there is no loss of detail whatever. Andrew Davis was obviously meticulous in his preparation, as there are no blurred passages whatever and the balance between the sections is near perfect.
Of particular note is Davis’s interpretation of the famous and often maudlin Nimrod. In the documentary, Davis points out that this work, although it has now become associated with times of great mourning, was never meant to be funereal, and that Elgar intended it to be a celebration of his publisher. The slow movement in Beethoven’s Pathetique sonata inspired the theme. Davis keeps the solemnity of the music intact, but does not over-indulge in the voluptuousness of it all. Davis and his orchestra bring the whole piece to a joyous, rip-roaring conclusion.
This is certainly an item to add to your collection, both for the visuals and the splendid performance. Highly recommended.
Kevin Sutton
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