The name of George Weldon may not mean much to people of the younger generation but he is still remembered with great affection and admiration by older audiences as a conductor as well known for his bonhomie and flamboyance, as for his skill and brilliance on the podium. On hearing Weldon conduct these Elgar works, one is struck by the tremendous brilliance, passion, and joie de vivre as well as the affectionate humour in all three.
Gladys Ripley – Contralto
London Symphony Orchestra
Philharmonia Orchestra
George Weldon – Conductor
Critics who reviewed his concerts in the 1950s then found George Weldon possessed with ‘decision, resource, delicacy, restraint, a perfectly clear beat and the kind of personality to win an orchestra’s allegiance …’ qualities well illustrated in the recordings on this CD (Elgar was one of Weldon’s favourite composers).
On This Recording
- In the South Overture: In the South Overture, Op. 50, "Alassio"
- Sea Pictures: No. 1. Sea Slumber-Song
- Sea Pictures: No. 2. In Haven (Capri)
- Sea Pictures: No. 3. Sabbath Morning at Sea
- Sea Pictures: No. 4. Where Corals Lie
- Sea Pictures: No. 5. The Swimmer
- Variations on an Original Theme: Theme: Andante
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 1: C. A. E. (The Composer's Wife)
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 2: H. D. S-P. (Hew David Steuart-Powell)
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 3: R. B. T. (Richard Baxter Townshend)
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 4: W. M. B. (William Meath Baker)
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 5: R. P. A. (Richard Penrose Arnold)
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 6: Ysobel (Isabel Fitton)
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 7: Troyte (Troyte Griffith)
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 8: W. N. (Winifred Norbury)
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 9: Nimrod (A. J. Jaeger)
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 10: Intermezzo: Dorabella (Dora Penny)
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 11: G. R. S. (George Robertson Sinclair)
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 12: B. G. N. (Basil G. Nevinson)
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 13: Romanza: *** (Lady Mary Lygon)
- Variations on an Original Theme: Variation 14: Finale: E. D. U. (The Composer)
