Alain Pire - Elgar Elgar From the Archives Vol.2 -Cello Concerto(Munich 1956), Violin Concerto(Bamberg 1957): Andre Navarra(Vc)Tibor Varga(Vn) - Import CD

Credits:

Alain Pire

Description:

The second volume of the Elgar from the Archives series, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the British Elgar Society founded in 1951, features two concertos. These are precious documents of performers who sought to convey the value of Elgar's works beyond Britain. Born in Biarritz, in the French Basque region, in 1911, André Navarra studied in Toulouse and Paris and was highly regarded as one of France's most promising young musicians. His career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II, but he resumed activities after the war. For his 1950 British debut, he performed Elgar's Cello Concerto conducted by Barbirolli. In May 1957, he also recorded the work with the Halle Orchestra conducted by Barbirolli for EMI. This recording captures a live concert he gave in Munich about six months earlier. Navarra's playing is exceptionally powerful, and the total playing time of 25:46 approaches the shortest ever recorded for the entire work. Yet, his skillful handling of dynamics, combined with breathtakingly delicate expression in the pianissimo passages, leaves no impression of rushing through the music. While the interpretation is largely similar to the EMI recording, the fourth movement shows a significant difference, clocking in at 9:38 compared to the EMI version's 10:51.The orchestra seemed inspired by the live excitement, responding with a surging energy in the middle section's racing passage, creating a highly dramatic effect. The Bavarian Radio aircheck recording, though monaural, conveys the orchestra's full sonic presence. Born in Hungary in 1921, Tibor Varga emigrated to England from his homeland under communist rule in 1947. Two years later, he helped establish the string department at the Detmold Music Academy in Germany alongside André Navarra. While Varga left no recordings of Elgar's works, this performance masterfully captures this monumental piece. This recording is also an aircheck from Bavarian Radio. The violins, recorded somewhat close up, tend to sound slightly metallic, but this clarity allows the subtle details of the performers' technique to be heard. It is also valuable in conveying Varga's prowess as a virtuoso violinist, a facet often overshadowed by his reputation as a Bartók specialist. His interpretation, emphasizing drama over sentimentality, shares a kinship with Navara's approach to the Cello Concerto. Elgar is said to have been deeply moved when, upon receiving an honorary professorship from Hungary's National Academy in 1925, he learned his music was being appreciated in a country that had been an enemy during the First World War. For the orchestra performing on this recording, Elgar was the music of the enemy just 12 or 13 years prior. This recording demonstrates Elgar's reception on the European continent and the performance style of the time, while also suggesting the potential role his works played in fostering reconciliation. Naxos Japan