Elgar: Symphony No. 1 & Organ Sonata

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Hickox… offers an attractive, enterprising coupling… and his account of the Symphony, caught in state-of-the-art sonics, is good, in places excellent. — BBC Music Magazine, July 2007, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 29th May 2007
Catalogue No: CHSA5049
Label: Chandos
Length: 78 minutes

Gramophone Magazine

August 2007

Editor's Choice

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This release includes a digital booklet

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Elgar: Symphony No. 1 in A flat major, Op. 55

Work length52:10

$12.00

$15.45

Album only

Richard Hickox, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

I. Andante. Nobilmente e semplice

Track length19:34

$4.00

$5.15

Album only

II. Allegro molto

Track length7:17

$2.00

$2.60

$2.40

III. Adagio

Track length13:00

$3.00

$3.85

$3.20

IV. Lento - Allegro

Track length12:19

$3.00

$3.85

$3.20

Elgar: Organ Sonata No. 1 in G major, Op. 28

Work length26:01

$6.00

$7.80

$8.00

Richard Hickox, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

I. Allegro maestoso (Arr. for Orchestra)

Track length8:16

$2.00

$2.60

$2.40

II. Allegretto (Arr. for Orchestra)

Track length4:37

$1.00

$1.30

$1.60

III. Andante espressivo (Arr. for Orchestra)

Track length7:46

$2.00

$2.60

$2.40

IV. Presto (Arr. for Orchestra)

Track length5:22

$1.00

$1.30

$1.60

Reviews
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Reviews

July 2007

Hickox… offers an attractive, enterprising coupling… and his account of the Symphony, caught in state-of-the-art sonics, is good, in places excellent.

2010

The SACD recording for this impressive Elgar First is spectacular; you really appreciate the sharpness of articulation of the Cardiff players.
Hickox's interpretation is comparably impressive, particularly so in the first movement where he has a cunning way of presenting the great Elgarian melodies simply. In the tricky transition from two in a bar to three Hickox broadens the tempo where others follow the composer's example in keeping the minim beat steady; nonetheless he makes that moment a magnificent climax.
Hickox's control of such climaxes is masterly.
In the Scherzo the articulation of the violins and the sharpness of attack is thrilling. In the great melodies of the slow movement Hickox tenderly brings out a songlike quality, making others seem a little studied. The delicate pianissimo as the third theme enters is breathtaking. The two great 'gulp' moments in the finale come at the climax of the passage where the theme of the slow introduction comes in augmentation; there Hickox comes near to matching Elgar himself in impact. Finally, he secures a superbly satisfying crescendo on the brass on the final chord.
The generous coupling adds to the attractions of the disc, an orchestration of a work which should be far better known. The qualities which make Hickox's reading of the Symphony so impressive come out here too.

August 2007

The SACD recording is spectacular; you really appreciate the sharpness of articulation of the Cardiff players. Hickox's control… climaxes is masterly. In the Scherzo the articulation of the violins and the sharpness of attack is thrilling. In the great melodies of the slow movement Hickox tenderly brings out a songlike quality, making others seem a little studied. The delicate pianissimo as the third theme enters... is breathtaking.

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