Elgar: Symphony No. 2 & Serenade BBC Symphony Orchestra & Edward Gardner

• Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934): Symphony No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 63:
• 1 Symphony No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 63: I. Allegro vivace e nobilmente 17:44
• 2 Symphony No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 63: II. Larghetto 14:02
• 3 Symphony No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 63: III. Rondo 08:00
• 4 Symphony No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 63: IV. Moderato e maestoso 14:51
• Serenade in E Minor, Op. 20:
• 5 Serenade in E Minor, Op. 20: I. Allegro piacevole 03:05
• 6 Serenade in E Minor, Op. 20: II. Larghetto 05:45
• 7 Serenade in E Minor, Op. 20: III. Allegretto 02:33
• Total Runtime 01:06:00

Info for Elgar: Symphony No. 2 & Serenade

Following a highly-praised recording of Symphony No. 1 last year, Edward Gardner and the BBC Symphony present here an electrifying interpretation of Elgar’s Symphony No. 2, with the addition of one of his most performed works: the Serenade for Strings.

Having now become experts in British repertoire with highly lauded series of Walton and Britten, they reveal all the aspects of Elgar’s masterpiece in this surround sound recording. Symphony No. 2 is richly orchestrated and skilfully constructed, drawing on hugely varied resources of harmony, rhythm and melody, and making considerable use of thematic transformation as a unifying technique.

While the Symphony No.2 is one of the greatest products of Elgar’s maturity, the Serenade in E minor for Strings is perhaps the most charming product of his youth. In this three-movement piece dominated by a deeply passionate Larghetto, the strings of the BBC Symphony superbly encapsulate all the emotions offered by this graceful work: tender, lyrical and intense.

“…This is a splendid release. Recording the BBC Symphony in Watford Colosseum makes for an ideal soundstage. And Edward Gardner may just be Britain’s next Adrian Boult.” (Steven Kruger, Fanfare)

“… Gardner demonstrates an unerring sense of how the tricky transitions work in this piece [Sym No. 2] and his appreciation of its harmonic delights is self-evident. And he has the seasoned instincts of the BBC Symphony Orchestra ensuring a naturalness and spontaneity through all the phrasing… The Serenade for Strings is a lovely, understated bonus, the gorgeous slow movement blossoming at its heart without a trace of emotional excess…” (Edward Seckerson, Gramophone magazine)

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Edward Gardner, conductor

No biography found.

Booklet for Elgar: Symphony No. 2 & Serenade