Search - Edward Elgar, Neville Marriner, Georg Solti :: Elgar: Orchestral & Choral Works; Concertos [Box Set]

Super collection of Elgar's major works

R. Lane | Tracy, CA USA | 06/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most compilations of composers works usually only feature, at best, maybe one or two works in recordings that are of outstanding quality, especially if different artists are featured. Such is absolutely not the case with this collection, one of the finest of its sort ever issued.This box makes a perfect one stop shopping choice for the major, most-well-known works the British composer Sir Edward Elgar. The title is misleading though. The box, on 8 CDs at an incredible price, contains both Orchestral AND Choral works.
Since Amazon does not list the contents, I will : Symphony Nos. 1 & 2 -- LPO , Solti
Serenade for strings - ASMF , Marriner
Intro and Allegro - ECO , Britten
Cello Concerto - Webber , RPO , Menuhin
Enigma Var. -- CSO , Colti
Cockaigne Over -- LPO , Solti
Violin Con -- Chung , LPO , Solti
Falstaff -- Montreal , Dutoit
Dream of Gerontius -- LSO , Britten
Sea Pictures -- RPO , Mackerras
In the South -- LPO , Solti
Pomp and Circumstance -- LPO , Solti
Imperial MArch -- Band of Grebadier Guards , Bashford
Sospri -- ASMF , Marriner
Elegy -- ASMF , Marriner
Wand of Youth -- Welsh NO , Mackerras
Starlight Express -- Welsh NO , Mackerras
Dream Children -- Welsh NO , MackerrasLook up almost any of the individual works and you should be able to find these recordings in their individual issues, many with several 5 start ratings.I won't elaborate on any of the specific recordings, just take my word for that there isn't a dud in the box.If you have no Elgar, and you don't to hunt and peck for the right recordings of the best works, get this special set now."

Excellent Collection of Elgar's Greatest Works

Jesse Bye | California | 12/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A collection of Elgar's music couldn't get much better than this. The first thing that might strike you is the nationality of the conductors: they're almost all British! There's quite a roster here: Solti, Marriner, Britten, Menuhin. And most of the orchestras are British as well - the London Philharmonic, London Symphonic, and Royal Symphonic Orchestras (as well as a few others). Why does this matter? Well, I believe that when interpreting music, it is extremely important to understand the composer's culture and national history. And I think it isn't too much of a stretch to say that a British-born conductor is more likely to understand British culture and history than, say, an American or German-born conductor. Thus, Elgar's very distinctly British music is in good hands here.



And what a selection! We have the symphonies, cello and violin concertos, the Enigma variations, the Dream of Gerontius, as well as several other major works. All is played wonderfully by the performers; I find it hard to fault any of the performances. The soloists, when present, are top-notch, singing/playing with astounding grasp of the material (especially Della Jones and Peter Pears).



If you want a good set to start your Elgar collection, this would be it. Highly recommended!"