Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
What you're getting here takes a little explanation. The Starlight Express started life as a novel for young people by Algernon Blackwood, A Prisoner in Fairyland, a story of a group of children who collect stardust and carry on a secret existence apart from the adult world. It is not unlike Peter Pan in its general outlines, but from the evidence here it is not nearly as elegantly done. Blackwood's novel was made into a play by one Violet Pearn, and Elgar, in 1915, was asked to write incidental music and songs for this play, turning it into a kind of melodrama. Next, the play was reduced here to a narrative, read by actor Simon Callow and structured in such a way as to keep apparently all of Elgar's music, including some little songs. Finally, three songs and a long sequence of instrumental excerpts were collected into a pair of suites by the present conductor, Andrew Davis, leading the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and an assortment of British singers. These final suites are probably the most attractive items here for the average listener. Elgar's music is actually charming, with an airy, tonally simple, yet absolutely characteristic quality as far as could be from the weighty world of his symphonies and oratorios. You could even imagine other performances of these suites as an ideal opener for concerts of English music. The narrated play itself doesn't quite come off, and the original material seems uncertain at times as to whether it wants to be for children or adults. Nevertheless, recordings of this material in any form are rare, and to hear this music from one of Elgar's foremost champions will likely appeal to the composer's fans.
© TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From kr133,33/month
The Starlight Express, Op. 78 (Edward Elgar)
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
DISC 2
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano - David Watkin, cello - Roderick Williams, baritone - Simon Callow, narrator - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Davis, Conductor
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Album review
What you're getting here takes a little explanation. The Starlight Express started life as a novel for young people by Algernon Blackwood, A Prisoner in Fairyland, a story of a group of children who collect stardust and carry on a secret existence apart from the adult world. It is not unlike Peter Pan in its general outlines, but from the evidence here it is not nearly as elegantly done. Blackwood's novel was made into a play by one Violet Pearn, and Elgar, in 1915, was asked to write incidental music and songs for this play, turning it into a kind of melodrama. Next, the play was reduced here to a narrative, read by actor Simon Callow and structured in such a way as to keep apparently all of Elgar's music, including some little songs. Finally, three songs and a long sequence of instrumental excerpts were collected into a pair of suites by the present conductor, Andrew Davis, leading the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and an assortment of British singers. These final suites are probably the most attractive items here for the average listener. Elgar's music is actually charming, with an airy, tonally simple, yet absolutely characteristic quality as far as could be from the weighty world of his symphonies and oratorios. You could even imagine other performances of these suites as an ideal opener for concerts of English music. The narrated play itself doesn't quite come off, and the original material seems uncertain at times as to whether it wants to be for children or adults. Nevertheless, recordings of this material in any form are rare, and to hear this music from one of Elgar's foremost champions will likely appeal to the composer's fans.
© TiVo
Details of original recording : 80:05 - DDD - Enregistré en mai et août 2012 à Édimbourg et Londres - Notes en français, anglais et allemand avec le texte de la pièce en anglais
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 80 track(s)
- Total length: 02:17:21
- 1 Digital booklet
- Main artists: Andrew Davis
- Composer: Clive Carey
- Label: Chandos
- Area: Angleterre
- Genre: Classical Symphonic Music Theatre Music
- Period: Modern Style
2012 Chandos 2012 Chandos
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.