Stephen Pritchard 

Elgar: Concert Allegro; Symphony No 2, Iain Farrington (piano), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/ Vass – review

More than a century after Elgar suggested an orchestration of his Concert Allegro, pianist Iain Farrington has done just that – and in some style, writes Stephen Pritchard
  
  


Elgar conceived the Concert Allegro as a piano piece in 1901 but later gave the score to a colleague suggesting that he orchestrate it. This never happened, and we have had to wait until now to hear Iain Farrington's hugely attractive attempt at this mini concerto. Farrington makes the most of several trademark Elgarian flourishes and sweeping themes, much enhanced by some majestic playing from the Bournemouth players. His formidable pianism comes to the fore in his impressive reduction of the emotional second symphony and in two transcriptions of recorded improvisations by Elgar; exquisite insights into the mind of a giant of English music.

 

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