Elgar: Symphony 1&2, Serenade, Cockaigne Overture

Bernard Haitink, Richard Hickox, Sir Adrian Boult

Elgar: Symphony No.1; Symphony No.2; Serenade; Cockaigne Overture

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.

Price: $12.98