ELGAR

Symphony No. 1, Symphony No. 2, Serenade, Cockaigne Overture

CD1

1. Symphony No. 1 in A flat Op. 55 - I. Andante: nobilmente e semplice - Allegro

Bernard Haitink

2. Symphony No. 1 in A flat Op. 55 - II. Allegro molto -

Bernard Haitink

3. Symphony No. 1 in A flat Op. 55 - III. Adagio

Bernard Haitink

4. Symphony No. 1 in A flat Op. 55 - IV. Lento - Allegro

Bernard Haitink

5. Symphony No. 1 in A flat Op. 55 - Pomp and Circumstance No. 5 in C major Op. 39 No. 5

Bernard Haitink

6. Symphony No. 1 in A flat Op. 55 - Sospiri Op. 70

City of London Sinfonia

7. Serenade in E minor Op. 20 - I. Allegro piacevole

Richard Hickox

8. Serenade in E minor Op. 20 - II. Larghetto

Richard Hickox

9. Serenade in E minor Op. 20 - III. Allegretto - Come prima

Richard Hickox

CD2

1. Symphony No. 2 in E flat Op. 63 - I. Allegro vivace e nobilmente

Bernard Haitink

2. Symphony No. 2 in E flat Op. 63 - II. Larghetto

Bernard Haitink

3. Symphony No. 2 in E flat Op. 63 - III. Rondo (Presto)

Bernard Haitink

4. Symphony No. 2 in E flat Op. 63 - IV. Moderato e maestoso

Bernard Haitink

5. Symphony No. 2 in E flat Op. 63 - Cockaigne (In London Town) - Concert Overture Op. 40

Sir Adrian Boult

20th Century Classics - Elgar

Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) was England's greatest composer since the death of Henry Purcell in 1695. He was a relatively late developer with his first major symphonic work, the Enigma Variations (1898-99), being produced when he was already in his forties. After a successful first performance in London the work was given performances all over Europe and in New York, where it was conducted by Gustav Mahler. Each of the 14 variations is dedicated to, and is a portrait of, a friend of the composer, the finale being a picture of the composer himself. Elgar wrote two very fine symphonies that unerringly captured the zeitgeist of Edwardian England; both are included in this set in superb performances by Bernard Haitink. The first disc ends with two additional Elgar pieces performed by the late lamented Richard Hickox.

EMI Classics 2cds 9072212