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

A Far Cry, Boston's new, conductorless orchestra. Live from St.Paul's Church in Brookline, MA. 5/11/07.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• afarcry
• farcry
• chamber
• orchestra
• elgar
• music
• strings
• violin
• viola
• cello
• bass
• doublebass
• boston
• indie
• classical
• allegro
• far

[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....."

[zungnuz]

BRAVO! :D:D

[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.

[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.

[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 .

[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!

[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.

[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.