A Far Cry - Elgar: Introduction & Allegro for Strings (pt.1)

[TFcatsclaws1]

I forgot to say that this is what was missing NB FOR ME in this performance .

For me it is very very passionate but hidden deep inside .. :) I also come from a few miles from Elgars birthplace and have walked the Malvern Hills on a regular basis so I sort of get him :)

[TFcatsclaws1]

But there is the same underlying passion but with outwardly less effort .. sort of simmering and deep . I have played this work several times . Something about Elgar and indeed Vaughn Williams that stirs my soul .

Many thanks for coming back at me on this one :) Regards Jean

[TFcatsclaws1]

Stoogie389

I do agree with you about the virtuosity of these players they are stunning :) Also playing together like this they are really listening as most good string players do when we play in string ensembles .

I play and Teach all 4 string instruments in the UK .

I have no criticism of these wonderful musicians .

I think I was referring to the essence of how and what they are playing .

I can not describe the sound of English string playing .. I just KNOW .. to be cont.

[19deliriumtremens]

As much as I like A Far Cry a lot, I have to agree with a lot of what TFcatsclaws1 have to say - and I'm not English! (~:

[TFcatsclaws1]

They need a conductor .. its too wallowing and pulled about and American and over the top . It sort of sounds like a group of soloists rather than a team .. and orchestra :)

English string players do this with tone . I can say why it is but it does actually sound American to me and not English . Weird I know .

Cant fault it technically though . Just hasnt got it .

[stooge389]

@TFcatsclaws1 It was written about the Americas, and was also written to show off the virtuostic power of each and every single player. I think they did it near-perfect.

[leitfie3579]

A huge and very attractive sound from quite a small group ... very enjoyable. There must have been very thorough preparations to achieve this kind of result without a conductor.

[mcsing]

great choice of tempo, and dynamics are great. I've seen lots of preparations before the performance. Bravo!

[pix042]

Elgar is easily in the Top 50 of composers. The top 3 pick themselves

( Bach, Mozart and Beethoven in any order) then it is down to argument. Nevertheless, Elgar is definitely in there. As an Enlgishman I am proud of that. Of British composers, only Elgar is clearly world class. The great thing is that there is a definite Britishness about his music and I don't just mean Land of Hope and Glory.

[Vadraedan]

Vaughan Williams?

[wambui37]

@pix042 good music is international and belongs to all people, also the composers.

[TheNeonKnight]

There's actually nothing "British" about Elgar's style. He composes in the German romantic style.

If anything, his music is German sounding.

[jazz4]

I dont know if it's so much the style, it's just the feeling of it. When I hear some of his stuff, it feels so british but in an almost unexplainable sense. Very hard to vocalise these things.

[walshamite]

@pix042 states "Of British composers, only Elgar is clearly world class." Whatever that might mean ... so I offer Purcell, Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Walton, Delius, the list of internationally recognised British composers goes on.

[ravensara2]

Beautiful playing! Bravo.

[lyricomposer]

I wonder if you might enjoy my string serenade. I am 3 months from finishing it, happy to send it on?

[mendoncacorreia]

Just in passing, Elgar's "Introduction and Allegro for Strings, opus 47" was the music chosen for the 1973 BBC TV adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's immortal novel, "Jane Eyre".

Even after all these years (more than 30!...), everytime I hear the "Introduction and Allegro for Strings", this mini-serial comes immediately (!) into my mind - and I assure you I'm not the only "Jane Eyre (1973)" fan to feel that experience...

[jajaeeyore93]

I assure you, you are not.

When I saw this on the "Jane Eyre 1973" playlist, I was so confused, but as soon as the opening notes were sounded, I was just like, "Ohhhh....."

[pix042]

I remember that series as a 7 year old boy! I said to my parents as we sat watching it: "why is that lady lying in bed showing her bottom?" They were at a loss to answer me. I don't think Sir Edward would have been amused.

[mendoncacorreia]

Forgive me, but there is no such scene in "Jane Eyre (1973)". Surely, you are confusing it with a more recent screen adaptation of the novel...

[moosegu121]

wow.!

how do you all rehearse and keep time so well?

[ibitemytongue]

amazing sound for such a small ensemble! bravo!

might I ask how you deal with the contrabass divisi sections?

[violinflu]

While we only have one bass player "on the roster" we have outside friends who join us when the repertoire calls for it. This camera angle cuts off one of the bassists playing (sorry Karl!)

[colorfulcrocs]

This is GORGEOUS!

[Strad615]

I'm getting ready to play this, it is very technical and fun at the same time!

[zungnuz]

BRAVO! :D:D

[cherowrady]

bathe me in more of your sonic love! when are you playing next?

[dt10825]

nice.

[Auronlu7912]

it'd be really fun to see these people live!

[coolstephengy]

perfecto

[shamari2k9]

immaculate

[peterc93]

All of you sound amazing. Your intonation is right on. The dynamics are so well expressed. Elgar's Intro and Allegro: probably the most beautiful way ever played.