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CD Review
Campoli Classics
Encore Campoli!
- Edward Elgar: Violin Concerto in B minor
- Felix Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor
Alfredo Campoli, violin
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Adrian Boult
Beulah Mono/Stereo 1PD10 74m ADD Recorded 1952/58
The first CD in the Campoli series, it confirms his classic recordings of these two evergreen concertos. Shamefully, the Elgar recording has been unavailable for over twenty years, an indication of the low selling power of 1950's recordings in the last two decades.
Now the opportunity has arisen to admire these legendary recordings afresh. Campoli's purity of tone makes Menuhin's justly legendary 1932 recording with the composer pale into insignificance especially in the hear melting Andante.
Boult and his London Symphony prove to be the perfect partners, the conductor's understanding of Elgar's scores cannot be too highly recommended. The mid 1950's recording comes up as fresh as an ice cube, it still remains in the demonstration class albeit in mono.
The Mendelssohn Concerto is another rip roaring reading, here Campoli is thoroughly unbuttoned whilst Boult and the London Symphony are completely at one with their soloists bold gestures. Here the transition from Andante to Allegretto is magical in every sense.
What's more Beulah provide notes of outstanding interest by Bill and Gill Newman together with a beautiful painting from the LTM on the cover. Highly recommended as a supplement to your modern versions of these indispensable masterpieces.
Copyright © 1999, Gerald Fenech
