A journey down memory lane in the company of a great violinist
The Strad Issue: January 2025
Description: A journey down memory lane in the company of a great violinist
Musicians: Mischa Elman (violin) New Symphony Orchestra/Lawrance Collingwood, London Symphony Orchestra, chamber orchestra/John Barbirolli
Works: Bach: Violin Concerto BWV1042. Beethoven: Romances nos.1 and 2. Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto. Vivaldi: Violin Concerto op.12 no.1
Catalogue number: BIDDULPH 85052-2
How pleasant to know Mr Elman, if I may misquote Edward Lear. The Ukrainian was around 30 and at his peak tonally, technically and interpretatively when these HMV recordings were made in 1929–32. He must especially have enjoyed working with Lawrance Collingwood, who was fluent in Russian.
Vivaldi’s G minor Concerto in Tivadar Nachez’s edition features nice trills and good rhythm; its opening Allegro ends with an emphatic rallentando and in the Adagio Elman flattens some notes effectively to create pathos. Bach’s E major Concerto with Barbirolli’s own chamber orchestra needed two attempts: that on 27 October 1932 was not liked so everyone returned to Abbey Road on 2 December. Tempos in the outer movements are fractionally too slow but the inner one has lovely tone and delightful trills. I love Elman’s portamento in both Baroque works.
Beethoven’s Romances, done on one day in 1932, were favourites with gramophone societies in the 1930s. They are not very Classical, and the overall impression is slightly sluggish.
The 1929 Tchaikovsky was a bestseller. Elman’s entry is pleasingly elastic and in the first movement he always finds room to phrase; the A major theme is lovely, the cadenza splendid. In the Canzonetta Elman evinces a little of Menuhin’s suffering; and in the episodes of finale he really spreads himself. In the outer movements, which both end excitingly, he sometimes outruns Barbirolli but not disastrously.
Transfers from 78rpm discs are excellent. Recommended.
TULLY POTTER
No comments yet