Two things bind the recordings on this five-disc set together: all the music was composed by Edward Elgar and performed by the London Philharmonic. The works included range from the well-known symphonies, concertos, overtures, and variations through the lesser-known Imperial March, Coronation March, and The Sanguine Fan ballet. The conductors range from the renowned Boult to savage Solti to masterful Mackerras to impetuous Handley to the composer himself. The soloists range from violinist Alfredo Campoli to cellist Paul ...
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Two things bind the recordings on this five-disc set together: all the music was composed by Edward Elgar and performed by the London Philharmonic. The works included range from the well-known symphonies, concertos, overtures, and variations through the lesser-known Imperial March, Coronation March, and The Sanguine Fan ballet. The conductors range from the renowned Boult to savage Solti to masterful Mackerras to impetuous Handley to the composer himself. The soloists range from violinist Alfredo Campoli to cellist Paul Tortelier to alto Janet Baker. And the performances range from the splendid to the magnificent to the inspired. Solti's 1972 Symphony No. 1 is urgent and ecstatic. Mackerras' 1985 is witty and affectionate. Handley's 1980 Symphony No. 2 is righteous and nostalgic. Campoli's 1954 Violin Concerto is passionate and lyrical. Tortelier's 1972 Cello Concerto is sorrowful and purposeful. Baker's 1984 Sea Pictures is lush and affecting. Boult's 1956 Falstaff, 1973 Sanguine Fan, and 1972...
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