About this Artist

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Editorial Reviews

If you are only ever going to have one collection of the orchestral works of Edward Elgar, let it be this collection led by John Barbirolli. Recorded in stereo by EMI between 1962 and 1966, the sound is amazingly lush, ripe, and deep. Performed by the London Symphony, the Philharmonia, the New Philharmonia, the Sinfonia of London, and the Hallé Orchestra, the playing is uniformly strong, sympathetic, and expressive. And conducted by John Barbirolli, the interpretations are consistently powerful, soulful, and profoundly moving. Although the argument once raged among older listeners over who was the better Elgar conductor, Barbirolli or Boult, time has resolved the issue in favor of Barbirolli. While Boult had perhaps the finer baton technique, the more passionate Barbirolli seems to go deeper into the world of Elgar's music, finding the depths of emotion and the heights of inspiration that were just out of reach of the more phlegmatic Boult. Of the 13 works here, many -- including the overwhelmingly emotional "Cello Concerto" with Jacqueline du Pré and the unbearably beautiful "Sea Pictures" with Janet Baker -- are incontestably in a class of their own -- while the rest -- including the heartrending "Second Symphony" with the Hallé and the soaring "Introduction and Allegro for strings" with the Sinfonia of London -- are easily the best ever recorded. Listeners who love the music of Mahler and Strauss but who don't know the music of Elgar need not hesitate. And listeners who know the many fine later recordings of Elgar's music by Davis, Previn, Haitink, and Solti are urged to check out Barbirolli. James Leonard, All Music Guide

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