Sir Edward Elgar, Tom Higgins , Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra - The Fringes Of Fleet

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Review by Alex Calara

Album Review: The Fringes Of Fleet by Sir Edward Elgar & Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra Okay, let’s dive into this gem of an album—The Fringes Of Fleet. Released in 2009 on the Somm label, it's a proper British affair with Sir Edward Elgar at the helm and the Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra bringing the goods. The genre? Classical, obviously. But don’t roll your eyes just yet if you’re not usually into orchestras and overtures—this one has some real standouts that’ll stick with you. First off, let’s talk about “Big Steamers.” This track is pure magic. It feels like stepping back in time to when ships were more than machines—they were adventures waiting to happen. The strings swell so beautifully here; they kinda sneak up on you and then BAM—you're hooked. You can almost smell the saltwater and hear the creak of wooden decks. Honestly, I didn’t expect to care about steamships this much, but here we are. Props to Elgar for making something as simple as boats sound epic. Another banger (well, as close as classical gets to “bangers”) is “Elegy For Strings.” It’s haunting, man. Like, you could put this on during a rainstorm and feel all sorts of melancholy vibes wash over you. There’s no grand explosion or dramatic crescendo—it’s quiet but packs a punch. It’s the kind of piece that makes you pause whatever you’re doing and just… listen. Hats off to John Ireland for writing something so understated yet unforgettable. Now, credit where it’s due—the baritone vocals from Duncan Rock, Laurence Meikle, Nicholas Lester, and Roderick Williams add layers throughout the album. They bring personality to tracks like “Blow Out You Bugles” and “The Soldier,” giving them weight without overshadowing the instruments. And kudos to Tom Higgins for keeping everything tight with the orchestra. These guys aren’t messing around. One thing I gotta mention is how slick the production is. David Hinnitt deserves a shoutout for engineering this beast because every note comes through crystal clear. Even tiny details, like the way the brass sections pop in “March: Elizabeth Of England,” feel intentional. And can we appreciate Andrew Giles’ cover art? Super classy, ties the whole package together nicely. So yeah, The Fringes Of Fleet might fly under the radar for some folks, but it shouldn’t. If you’re into classical music—or even if you’re just curious—it’s worth a spin. Weirdly enough, listening to it made me think about how life was slower back then. People probably had time to sit and actually enjoy albums like this instead of doomscrolling TikTok. Imagine that! Final thought: Who knew steamships and string sections could make such a killer combo?

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: sir-edward-elgar-tom-higgins-guildford-philharmonic-orchestra.zip
  • MP3 size: 63 mb
  • FLAC size: 778.4 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
The Soldier3:34
Submarines2:40
The Sweepers3:27
The Lowestoft Boat3:58
March: Elizabeth Of England5:05
The Fringes Of Fleet
Elegy For Strings4:31
Overture: The Windjammer8:27
Blow Out You Bugles3:04
Inside The Bar2:30
Fate's Discourtesy3:31
Overture: Plymouth Hoe7:29
A Manx Overture - The Isle Of Mountains And Glens7:59
Big Steamers3:04

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Catalog Numbers

SOMMCD 243

Labels

Somm

Listen online

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  • kuunnella verkossa
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Formats

  • CD
  • Album

Companies

RoleCompany
Glass Mastered AtSony DADC
Recorded AtAll Hallows, Gospel Oak

Credits

RoleCredit
Baritone VocalsDuncan Rock, Laurence Meikle, Nicholas Lester, Roderick Williams
Composed ByEdward German (tracks: 12), Haydn Wood (tracks: 11,14), John Ansell (tracks: 1,13), John Ireland (tracks: 8,9), Sir Edward Elgar (tracks: 2,3,4,5,6,7,10)
CoverAndrew Giles
DesignKeith Oke
LayoutKeith Oke
EngineerDavid Hinnitt
Executive-ProducerMichael Letchford
ProducerSiva Oke

Barcodes

  • Barcode: 748871224322
  • Matrix / Runout: A0101384757-0101 15 A00
  • Mastering SID Code: IFPI L555
  • Mould SID Code: IFPI 94K1

About Sir Edward Elgar, Tom Higgins , Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra

English Romantic composer, born June 2, 1857 in Broadheath, England, UK and died February 23, 1934 in Worcester, England, UK.

Real Name

    • Sir Edward William Elgar
    • 1st Baronet
    • OM
    • GCVO

Name Vars

  • E Elgar
  • E. Elgar
  • E. Elgaras
  • E. Elger
  • E. ¨ë¬ü
  • E.Elgar
  • E.Elger
  • E.W. Elgar
  • ELGAR
  • Edgar
  • Edgar Elgar
  • Edgar William Elgar
  • Edvard Elgar
  • Edvardas Elgaras
  • Edw. Elgar
  • Edwar Elgar
  • Edward Elga
  • Edward Elgar
  • Edward Elgar*
  • Edward Elgar, Bart., O.M., K.C.V.O.
  • Edward Elgard
  • Edward Elger
  • Edward W. Elgar
  • Edward William Edgar
  • Edward William Elgar
  • Edward-William Elgar
  • Elgar
  • Elgar = ¨ë¬ü
  • Elgar E.
  • Elgar Edward
  • Elgar, Edward
  • Elgar, Sir Edward
  • Elger
  • S.E.Elgar
  • Sir E. Elgar
  • Sir Ed. Elgar
  • Sir Edward Elgar O. M.
  • Sir Edward Elgar O.M.
  • Sir Edward Elgar, Bart., O.M., K.C.V.O.
  • Sir Edward Elgar, O.M.
  • Sir Edward William Elgar
  • Sr E. Elgar
  • Е. Елгар
  • Е.Елгар
  • Э. Элгар
  • Э. Эльгар
  • Эд. Элгар
  • Эдвард Элгар
  • Эдвард Эльгар
  • Эдуард Элгар
  • Эдуард Эльгар
  • Элгар
  • ¨ÉïüÉû¨ë¬ü
  • ¨ë¬ü

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: *The Fringes Of Fleet* isn’t just any classical album—it’s a time capsule of British musical history. Released in 2009 by Somm, it features works from legendary composers like Sir Edward Elgar and John Ireland. But here’s the kicker: the album includes pieces that might’ve been overlooked otherwise, like Haydn Wood’s *Overture: The Windjammer*. It’s like rediscovering hidden gems from the past. Plus, with baritone vocals delivered by talents like Roderick Williams and Duncan Rock, it feels alive, emotional, and deeply human. Not bad for music over a century old!