EDWARD ELGAR 1857-1934

 

Works

Symphonies 1 & 2 | Enigma Variations | Sea Pictures | Violin Concerto | Cello Concerto

Falstaff | The Sanguine Fan | Introduction and Allegro | Chanson de Nuit | Chanson de Matin

Froissart Overture | Elegy for String Orchestra

Cockaigne | Contrasts from Three Characteristic

Pieces | Coronation March | Serenade for Strings

 

Conductors

Sir Edward Elgar | Sir Landon Ronald | Sir Adrian

Boult | Sir Georg Solti | Sir Charles Mackerras

Vernon Handley CBE

 

Soloists

Paul Tortelier cello | Alfredo Campoli violin

Dame Janet Baker contralto (Sea Pictures)

 

 

The premiere release of a 1984 recording of Sea Pictures with Dame Janet Baker.

 

The first release on CD of Elgar's Falstaff with Boult conducting, considered 'the finest of Boult's interpretations'.

Includes an informative and scholarly note on Elgar’s recording history by Elgar expert and Chairman of the Elgar Society, Andrew Neill.

 

Historic performances conducted by Elgar himself and his friend and colleague Sir Landon Ronald. 

First commercial CD release of Mackerras conducting the Imperial March, recorded for Reader's Digest.

32-page booklet includes photographs of the conductors at work, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Elgar.

 

 

A special relationship with the music of Edward Elgar has seen the London Philharmonic Orchestra referred to as ‘Elgar’s Orchestra’. This comprehensive survey of Elgar’s key orchestral music encompasses re-issues of landmark recordings, and historic recordings conducted by, among others, the composer himself.

 

Included in this five-CD set is the first release of a 1984 performance of Sea Pictures with contralto Dame Janet Baker, conducted by Vernon Handley and recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall; a definitive performance of the First Symphony under the baton of former Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra Sir Georg Solti (released by Decca in 1972); Paul Tortelier’s memorable account of the Cello Concerto under another former Principal Conductor Sir Adrian Boult (released by EMI in 1973) and a previously unreleased CD recording of Falstaff, also conducted by Boult and rare performances of the Elegy for String Orchestra, concert overture Froissart and an excerpt from Three Characteristic Pieces conducted by Elgar himself. Every conductor and artist on this collection has enjoyed a close, fruitful and critically acclaimed association with the music of Elgar. This is a must-have collection.

 

What the press said:

‘A marvellous record’ Financial Times (1972) on Symphony No.1

 

‘Solti’s record is a deeply moving experience’ Gramophone (1972) on Symphony No.1

 

‘This is a magnificent performance and it is superbly recorded’ Gramophone (1973) on Cello Concerto

 

London Philharmonic Orchestra LPO0016-0020