Great Conductors of the 20th century: Sir John Barbirolli
The Barbirolli volume in the Great Conductors series focuses on relatively rare items in Sir John's discography. This ElgarEnigma Variations, for example, is his first stereo version, not the later, better-known one, which has a better orchestra. But this 1956 Pye release has a lot going for it, too, not least the extra touch of warmth in the string-centered slower variations like "Nimrod." There's also a long out-of-print RavelMother Goose Suitewith the Halle winds a bit overextended, a heavyweightMeistersingerAct One Prelude, and a magnificent Love Duet from one of Barbirolli's rare complete opera recordings, Puccini'sMadama Butterfly, with Scotto and Bergonzi both in great voice. The real rarity, though, is the Mahler Second, a work Barbirolli often performed in his later years, but never recorded. EMI provides strong, cleaned-up stereo sound for this live performance from Stuttgart made shortly before the conductor's death. Barbirolli's performance is full of passionate fervor, but execution is often slipshod. Still, admirers of Barbirolli's Mahler will want his only available Mahler Second.--Dan Davis