William Walton:

Symphony Nr. 1 in B flat minor

Sir Edward Elgar:

Falstaff – Symphonic Study in C minor op 68

Symphony Nr. 2 in E flat major op 63

‘Cockaigne’ ‘In London Town’ – Concert Overture op 40

Benjamin Britten:

The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra op 34 (two versions)

Four Sea Interludes op 33a and Passacaglia op 33b

Rossini/Britten:

Soiree musicales op 9

Matinee musicales op 24

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Sir Adrian Boult

First Hand Recordings FHR06 230m ADD (Recorded in 1956 from Nixa/Westminster originals)

This first volume of Boult’s Nixa/Westminster treasure trove of recordings dating from 1956 shows the
elegant English conductor in his prime conducting repertoire which was undoubtedly close to his heart.
This third recording of Elgar’s Second Symphony is to my mind the most satisfying of all set down by
Boult with its superb sound and dashing finale which literally sweeps all before it.

The Walton symphony is something of a rarity although it was briefly available in the EMI PHoenixa
range (FHR should get hold of the Suppe’ overture recordings by Barbirolli and Boult as part of their next
release perhaps). Boult finds much passion and afterglow in this fine work although one has to admit
that Walton’s own EMI version is slightly preferable but not much my much. The other Elgar recordings
are also towering achievements especially Falstaff which again is probably the best Boult version
available now – even trumping his legendary Decca mono recording (Testament).

The Britten ‘Four Sea Interludes’ are vintage Boult as is the magical ‘Young Person’s Guide to the
Orchestra’ here reproduced for the first time in stereo alongside the original mono version. I also found
much sprightly enjoyment in the ‘Matinee Musicales’ and the ‘Soiree’ Musicales’ with Britten’s deft
arrangements of the original Rossini pieces coming across quite a la Ansermet (another superb
recommendation on Decca/Eloquence).
FHR produce an admirably informative booklet together with rare period photographs featuring the
production team of these legendary sessions headed by the indefatigable Kurt List. A true treasure trove
of recordings which are a fine memorial to the unheralded greatness of Sir Adrian and the vintage mid
1950’s LPO.