Search - Holst, Elgar, Boult :: Planets / Enigma Variations

Best recording of the Planets; Enigma is a great piece too

davek89 | 04/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I originally purchased this solely because of its reputation as being the best recording of The Planets to date and overlooked the Enigma Variations as a cute tack-on. After I listened once through and became completely impressed with Boult's style and the orchestra's definitive performace of The Planets, I began to like Enigma. And with each passing listen to Enigma, I began to like it even more. It certainly is a different type of composition than the Planets; most tracks are minute-long shorties when compared to the epic-length of The Planets. W.M.B. and Ysobel are extremely energetic pieces with the Elgar theme interwoven between them. Highlight tracks of The Planets in personal preference are:1. Mars (of course) 2. Jupiter (the "slow" performance is unique) 3. Uranus (stop laughing)All in all, the combination of Boult, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and Enigma make a great CD. Don't pass off Enigma as filler; listen to it objectively and I'm sure you will like it."

Authentic versions of two English classics

Mr. Ian A. Macfarlane | Fife, Scotland | 01/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In Britain, Boult more than any other is the conductor associated with English music. He conducted the first (private) performance of 'The Planets' way back around 1918 and recorded it 5 times, I think. This is the equal best version, with his BBC Symphony version of 1944, and of course this one has sound of incomparably better quality than the old one. Both here and in 'Enigma' the music comes across, not just as clever, or original, or lively or colourful, but great. Partly, in 'Enigma' at least, that is because Boult sees the thing whole, not just a series of short pieces, and there is a very real sense of structure and forward movement. But every movement is characterised and satisfying within the whole. In the Holst, 'Mars' is massive, bestial and frightening, 'Venus' serene and incredibly beautiful (lovely orchestral phrasing here), 'Jupiter' exultant and noble, and so on. The heart of 'Enigma' is 'Nimrod', given a very powerful and moving performance because Boult allows the strings, especially the lower ones, to build the intesity in a way that really tells, so that the big brass don't create the climax, they crown what is already almost happening. In a much recorded work (I have 23 versions), very few conductors do this. Anyway, here are two scores in which the conductor's sixty year and more involvement really tells. They are profoundly satisfying, and the sound is very good."

A good rousing rendition

bruce horner | 08/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I found that my favorite version of The Planets was not available on CD, I turned to this version. Boult supposedly conducted the world premier of The Planets and he seems to know what he's doing. A good all-around tradional interpretation, which is what you want with a work like this. Driving and powerful when it needs to be, subtle and delicate elsewhere (such as the Venus movement.) The Enigma Variations are a nice extra that I didn't have before. A worthwhile package."