Page 978 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24
P. 978
An Orchestral Songbook Paul Weller; BBC Symphony Orcherstra/Jules Buckley
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Hallé
Since 1857, Manchester’s Hallé Orchestra has had its triumphant ups and devastating
downs, to be sure. Despite some notable musical successes – including the premiere
performance of Elgar’s Symphony No. 1 – decades of financial trouble dogged it up until
1943 when the sure hand of John Barbirolli led it to international stardom.
• The best recordings of Elgar's Falstaff
Barbirolli did his best until 1970, recording some of the finest performances of Mahler and
Elgar on record, but years of mismanagement blighted the tenures of Stanisław
Skrowaczewski and Kent Nagano, the latter of whom aimed high in his repertoire
ambitions, and was criticised for it.
Under the current leadership of Mark Elder, however, the Hallé has risen to new heights,
and is arguably the finest interpreter of English music of any ensemble. Their recordings
of Wagner operas, too, have received particular acclaim.
Read our reviews of the latest Hallé Orchestra recordings here
Recommended recording:
Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos 4 & 6 Hallé Orchestra/Mark Elder Hallé HLL 7547
Read our review here.
