Description
Chandos: Elgar — Wand of Youth Suites / Nursery Suite / Dream Children (Audio CD)
Brand new! Factory packaged! As pictured! Buy with confidence!
Product Details:
- Product Type: Audio CD
- Brand / Label: Chandos (Chandos Classics)
- Composer: Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934)
- Title: Wand of Youth Suites / Nursery Suite / Dream Children
- Orchestras: Ulster Orchestra; Bournemouth Sinfonietta
- Conductors: Bryden Thomson; Norman Del Mar
- Compilation Year: 2007 (recordings 1976 & 1982)
- UPC: 095115142226
- Catalog Number: CHAN 10422 X
- Genre: Classical, Orchestral
- Condition: New / Factory Sealed
Product Features
- Format: CD
- Discs: 1
- Tracks: 22
- Total runtime: 73:17
- Sound: Chandos Digital; 24-bit/96kHz digitally remastered
- Dream Children performed by the Bournemouth Sinfonietta / Norman Del Mar
- Made in England
Overview
A charming collection of Elgar's gentlest, most affectionate music — the works he wrote looking back to childhood. Bryden Thomson and the Ulster Orchestra lead the program, with Norman Del Mar and the Bournemouth Sinfonietta in the lovely "Dream Children."
The two Wand of Youth suites are the heart of the disc. Elgar assembled them from melodies he had written as a boy for a family play, later orchestrating them with all his mature skill — so they have both innocent tunes and the rich Elgarian glow. Pieces like "The Tame Bear" and "Wild Bears" are pure delight.
The Nursery Suite, dedicated to the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, continues the theme with warmth and wit, while "Dream Children" offers two short, wistful movements of great tenderness.
Beautifully remastered in 24-bit sound and offered at Chandos's mid-price Classics level, this is an ideal disc for Elgar lovers and a delightful, less-familiar corner of his output. Gentle, nostalgic and gorgeously played.
Interesting Facts
- Elgar based the Wand of Youth suites on music he composed as a child for a family play, returning to the material decades later.
- The Nursery Suite (1931) was dedicated to the Duchess of York and her daughters, the future Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret.
- "Dream Children" takes its title and inspiration from an essay by Charles Lamb.
- Bryden Thomson was a noted champion of British orchestral music and recorded extensively for Chandos.
- Norman Del Mar was both a respected conductor and an authority on orchestration, author of a classic textbook on the subject.
- These recordings date from 1976 and 1982 and were newly remastered for this 2007 Chandos Classics reissue.
Track Listing
1–7. Wand of Youth Suite No. 1, Op. 1a — 21:06 8–13. Wand of Youth Suite No. 2, Op. 1b — 18:06 14–20. Nursery Suite — 25:41 21–22. Dream Children, Op. 43 — 7:51 (Total time 73:17)
Publishers
This compilation released 2007 by Chandos Records Ltd., Colchester, Essex (catalog CHAN 10422 X). Original recordings © 1976 and 1982; 24-bit/96kHz digital remastering © 2007. Made in England.
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