Double double.(Enigma Variations)(Sound recording review)

For this issue, Tom Lyle and I have decided to compare two recordings of a late 19th-century composition (completed in 1899) that has found a place in the collections of most music lovers and audiophiles--not to mention TV commercial soundtracks--Elgar's Enigma Variations. In a previous installment of our column, Tom and I were both quite favorably impressed by a budget-priced Naxos recording featuring the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by George Hurst (Naxos 8.553564). Recently, Telarc released a version performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Paavo Jarvi (Telarc CD-80660), so we thought it would be interesting to compare these two versions.

Following our usual practice, Tom and I have refrained from discussing these two recordings with each other and have done both our listening and our writing completely independently. Because this is an odd-numbered issue, I will lead off with my findings and then Tom will close with his perspective on these two recordings.

KWN: When I first auditioned the Telarc recording, I was quite impressed. The sound was spectacular--never had I heard this music presented with this much power. Although the Enigma Variations is not a piece to which I listen often, I figured that this would be my new reference recording, the one that I would dig out of the pile whenever I needed a good shot of Elgar. When we decided to do this comparison for Double Double, I was already sure which version I would recommend.

However, the more I listened to the two recordings, the more I found myself returning to the Hurst version when I really wanted to listen for enjoyment. Although the Naxos recording does not have the sheer power of the Telarc, particularly in the deep bass, it is still a most impressive engineering job. The clincher, however, is the performance. Hurst seems to draw more expression from his players. When I listen to the Telarc disc, I am impressed by the sound and enjoy the music, but when I listen to the Naxos version, I am totally engrossed by the music, which is well served by the sound.

At a budget price, the Hurst recording on Naxos is quite a spectacular bargain, and the CD is filled out with additional compositions by Elgar that are worth a listen. I must add that the Telarc disc is although well worth owning, for in addition to the Elgar in spectacular sound, you get some top-notch Britten. I plan on keeping both CDs in my collection, but when I want to listen to just the Enigma Variations, it is more likely that it will be the Hurst recording that I pop into my ...