Edward Elgar's final symphony was left unfinished at the time of his death in 1934, but his sketches for the piece have been meticulously realized by composer Anthony Payne. "Elgar: The Sketches for Symphony No. 3" is a remarkable album that brings to life the unfinished symphony, offering listeners a unique glimpse into Elgar's creative process and the evolution of his musical ideas.
The album features the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Paul Daniel, performing the complete symphony as realized by Payne. The symphony is presented in four movements, each filled with Elgar's signature romanticism and intricate orchestration. The album spans a total of 50 tracks, providing detailed commentary and elaboration on each section of the symphony, allowing listeners to appreciate the depth and complexity of Elgar's work.
The symphony itself is a testament to Elgar's mastery of the orchestral form, with sweeping melodies, rich harmonies, and dynamic contrasts. The first movement, "Allegro molto maestoso," sets the stage with a grand and imposing introduction, while the second movement, "Scherzo. Allegretto," offers a playful and lively contrast. The third movement, "Adagio solenne," is a deeply moving and introspective piece, showcasing Elgar's ability to evoke profound emotion through music. The final movement, "Finale. Allegro," brings the symphony to a triumphant and exhilarating conclusion.
"Elgar: The Sketches for Symphony No. 3" is not just a recording of a finished symphony, but a journey through the creative process of one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. The detailed commentary and elaboration provided by Anthony Payne offer valuable insights into Elgar's musical ideas and the challenges of bringing an unfinished work to life. This album is a must-listen for anyone interested in classical music, orchestral performance, or the creative process of composition.
2012 NMC Recordings2012 (P) NMC Recordings
Tracks
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IntroductionEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. Allegro molto maestosoEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. ExpositionEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, Robert Gibbs, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. End of ExpositionEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. Violin BowingEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, Robert Gibbs, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. End of Exposition [Second Time]Edward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. Development Fragment [I]Edward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. Development Fragments [II - IV]Edward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. Development Fragment [V]Edward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. Development Fragment [VI]Edward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. Development Fragment [VII]Edward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. DevelopmentEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. B-Flat Minor FragmentsEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. B-Flat Minor EpisodeEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. Leading to RepriseEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. RecapitulationEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. Near the EndEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): I. Unused FragmentsEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): II. Scherzo. AllegrettoEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): II. Main ThemeEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, Robert Gibbs, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): II. D Major EpisodeEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): II. Modulating SequenceEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): II. A Major EpisodeEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): II. First Movement ThemeEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): II. CodaEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, Robert Gibbs, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): II. Unused FragmentsEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): III. Adagio solenneEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): III. SequenceEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): III. Opening SpanEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): III. Chord ProgressionEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): III. Continuation FragmentEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): III. D Major MelodyEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, Robert Gibbs, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): III. Cumulative CrescendoEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): III. E-Flat Major MelodyEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): III. Sequence with VariationEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): III. This Is the EndEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. Finale. AllegroEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. FanfareEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. Fanfare and Possible ContinuationEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. Fanfare and Continuation Leading to First Subject GroupEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, Robert Gibbs, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. CodettaEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. Second Subject Group [I]Edward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. Second Subject Group [II]Edward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. Second Subject Group [III]Edward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. Second Subject Group [IV]Edward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. Second Subject Group [V]Edward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. G Minor ThemeEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. First Subject Group Recapitulation [I] - A MinorEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. First Subject Group Recapitulation [II] - A-Flat MinorEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
Symphony No. 3, Op. 88 (Elaboration & Commentary by A. Payne): IV. Unused FragmentsEdward Elgar, Anthony Payne, David Owen Norris
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